Looks like Ubisoft’s going after us music fans. The commercial Red Steel soundtrack is available now through the iTunes music store, with a physical CD set to hit any store that will carry it on May 29. I’ve not played Red Steel nor am I familiar with the soundtrack, but it’s quite good from what I hear, despite the game’s mixed reviews.

The good news is that while this is the only official game soundtrack released by Ubisoft, it’s going to be the first of many. Prince of Persia, anyone?

Full press release after the break.

Kotaku

Red Steel Original Soundtrack Now Available Worldwide On iTunes®, CD Album Available In Stores May 29

Tom Salta’s Award-Winning Video Game Score Released as Ubisoft’s First Digital Download Soundtrack

New York, May 21st, 2007 – Composer and music producer Tom Salta today announced his award-winning music soundtrack for Red Steelâ„¢ is now available at iTunes® music stores worldwide and will also be released to retail on CD by Persist Records / Sumthing Distribution on May 29. Renowned for his versatility and prolific writing styles, Salta’s highly acclaimed kaleidoscopic musical score immerses gamers in the unique gunplay and swordplay actions set in modern-day Japan. The Red Steel Original Soundtrack marks the first Ubisoft video game music score to be released as a digital download.

“We’re really happy to make this possible, especially with Tom’s spectacular work on Red Steel,” said Didier Lord, Executive Director of Ubisoft Music. “It’s an important move as it will be Ubisoft’s first soundtrack released on major digital distribution channels – the first of many to come!”

To ensure the authenticity of the game’s soundtrack, Salta arranged and recorded traditional live Japanese instrumentation such as Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Taiko performed by expert Japanese musicians including the specialist percussion group Taikoza. The score also features performances from conservatory-trained Japanese opera singers and renowned violinist Lili Haydn. In order to reflect the diverse and Western-influenced soundtrack of fashionable Tokyo, Salta further embellished the soundtrack with a wide spectrum of music styles – such as orchestral, electronic, rock, hip hop, dance, easy listening, jazz, lounge and Japanese pop – that truly embrace the game’s cinematic story and vibrant locations.

The Red Steel soundtrack received numerous accolades for its unique approach and vibrant musical palette, including 2006 Best Original Score from IGN, who commented, “The selection not only has a richness and definition often lacking in video games, but the compositions are catchy and memorable too.” In this Wii exclusive game, players master both the ancient art of the Katana and the sophisticated technology of modern firearms, taking advantage of the emotion and innovative gameplay possible only with the remarkable Wii Remoteâ„¢ and Nunchukâ„¢ controllers.

Tom Salta’s other video game credits include the original score for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter® 2, which features a dynamic, emotional music soundtrack recorded with the Hollywood Studio Symphony and Choir. He also penned the score for the first game, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter®, which was nominated for Best Video Game Score at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. Recording under the artist name Atlas Plug (www.atlasplug.com), Salta is currently working on the follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut solo album, 2 Days or Die. For more information on Tom Salta, visit www.tomsalta.com.

For more information on Red Steel, please visit the official website at www.redsteelgame.com.