ADV Films is releasing the first two CDs under its 'ADV Music' banner, which this leading U.S. anime company (and publisher of Newtype USA) has created to market and distribute soundtracks from anime films.  Often anime soundtrack CDs feature high energy Japanese pop music.  In many cases the same artists provide the vocals for the catchy theme songs and also play key roles as voice actors (seiyu) in the films.  Case in point is the Slayers Return: The Motion Picture 'R' anime soundtrack, which features vocals by Japanese pop star extraordinaire Megumi Hayashibara, who also voices the key role of Lina Inverse in the Slayers series.  Ms. Hayashibara also provides a strong vocal performance on the Blue Seed soundtrack, which features great music from composer Kenji Kawai. 

The market for anime CDs should continue to grow, especially since domestic publishers such as ADV Films and Tokyopop (see 'Tokyopop Adds Soundtracks') are providing CDs at more reasonable retail prices than disks that are imported from Japan, which often retail well north of $20.  The Blue Seed and Slayers Return: The Motion Picture CDs have a suggested retail price of $14.98.