[Editor's Note: This CD is a dual-layered hybrid, containing both Super Audio CD (SACD) format and standard audio CD format. While SACD format is supposed to deliver sound at an insane level of fidelity, with depth and texture not heard since the Divine Vinyl was relegated to the trash heap, an SACD player is not supported by Demensions' shoestring budget. All commentary therefore refers to the standard audio CD version. —Ed.]

Neil Norman is something of an original. He calls himself a "sci-fi musicologist," has made a career producing genre soundtrack albums (including pretty much any Star Trek soundtrack you've ever heard) and is a perennial hit at science fiction conventions, where he performs with his Cosmic Orchestra and enjoys a cult-like following. His latest project is a compilation of well-known sci-fi theme music, which sounded like a great idea. How cool, to have the themes of all your favorite sci-fi TV shows and movies on one disc!

Unfortunately, the themes have been re-imagined "Norman-style," and his style runs mainly toward heavily synthesized, circa-1980 pop-rock. If you're old enough to remember Meco's abysmal disco-tainted "interpretation" of the Star Wars theme, "Galactic Funk," you'll know just exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Part of the problem, of course, is that Norman's source material is so well known. The themes of such popular shows as The Outer Limits and Battlestar Galactica have been burned into our cultural consciousness, and the grand, orchestral signature tunes of movies such as Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey are downright iconic. Tinkering with such familiar and well-loved music is risky business. And liner notes of the sort that adorn the Star Wars interpretation ("Here Darth Vader meets Bo Derek") are anything but reassuring.

The result of Norman's re-imaginations is an uneven collection of adaptations, from the rather good "Star Trek Encounters" medley that runs through the various series themes in chronological order, to a mediocre adaptation of Vangelis' magnificent Blade Runner theme, to a simply dreadful disco version of Godzilla. Perhaps the best track on the disc is "Jurassic Park - The Lost World Medley", a straight-forward elaboration that retains the expansive, magical feel of the John Williams original. You can almost see the dinosaurs grazing on the plain as you listen. It's a pity Norman didn't apply whatever formula he used on this piece to the rest of the tracks, which border on parody at times.

In short, we'll give Sci-Fi on Hi-Fi a total of 3 doors: two for the idea, and one for the execution. If you're a hardcore SF music collector, or already a fan of Norman's convention shows, you'll probably want to add this to your CD rack. Everyone else, though, may not quite get the point. Perhaps Neil Norman is one of those artists who must be experienced live to truly be appreciated. If that's the case, don't despair—he's almost certainly coming soon to a Con near you.