Universal Production Music
“Universal Production Music” (UPM), not to be confused with “Universal Music Publishing Group”, is a royalty-free production music provider from the media company Universal Studios, Inc., created in 1989. A handful of songs are featured in hoops&yoyo animations, most notably in the Coffee Run soundtrack.
Coffee Run Music
In comparison to older Hoops & Yoyo animations that used mostly 90s-2000s jazz music from UniqueTracks & Sound Ideas, the 2009 Flash game “Coffee Run” uses a lot of early to late 2000s music, each having various genres. Three of the four songs from the game are confirmed to be UPM tracks.
“Nu Tek Kids” is labeled “Glo Stick” in the game. It’s also the 2nd in-game BGM.
Composer: Jean Paul Niquin-Merkel
Album: Virtual Lifestyle
Release Date: March 31, 2003
Country: France
Track Number: 7
Song Length: 2:28 (Full Length)
Genres: Techno, Electronic, Quirky
Label & Publisher: Koka Media
“Bag of Beans” is labeled “Beanbag” in the game. It’s also the 3rd in-game BGM.
Composer: Rik Carter
Album: Twisted Kids
Release Date: August 14, 2008
Country: UK
Track Number: 12
Song Length: 1:52 (Full, Vocal)
Genre: Indie/Alternative Rock
Label & Publisher: Atmosphere Music Ltd.
“Move It Shake It” is the radio distraction music in the game.
Composer: Ryan Farish
Album: Fabulous Flava
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Continent: Europe
Track Number: 11
Song Length: 1:57 (Backing Vocals Only, Full Length)
Genre: R&B, Hip Hop
Label: Chronic Trax
Publisher: Killer Tracks
Unconfirmed Music
The 1st BGM in the “Coffee Run” game, “Insert Coin”, is likely a UPM song as well. However, there is no confirmation yet.
Another potential song from UPM is the song used in the Cat Screensaver, the Ice Cream Game eCard, and the Little Life Bats, Bats, Bats trilogy. Although there is no confirmation, there are 2 songs that use the same sample, notably “Balalaika Virgin” from the 2008 album “Eastern Europe Flavours”. The other song that uses the sample is the 2006 song “Purple Door”.
Gallery
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Virtual Lifestyle CD Cover (Discogs) -
Twisted Kids CD Cover (Discogs) -
Fabulous Flava CD Cover (Discogs)
Trivia
- UPM’s former name was “Killer Tracks”. Although some UPM songs are still published under Killer Tracks, songs from the publisher are infamously known for being used in cartoons from the German mockbuster company “Dingo Pictures”.
External Links
- “Nu Tek Kids” on UPM Website
- “Nu Tek Kids” on streaming platforms
- “Virtual Lifestyle” Listing on Discogs
- “Bag of Beans” on UPM Website
- “Twisted Kids” Listing on Discogs
- “Move It Shake It” on UPM Website
- “Move It Shake It” on streaming platforms
- “Fabulous Flava” Listing on Discogs