The ogg vorbis files you find in the data directories of GemFighter Online are every bit as official as CD redbook tracks for all the same reasons you gave above. They are just in a different format.
I just don't see why game CDs with redbooks should be included in a database with official soundtracks just because you can stick them in a CD player and play them.
I do agree that Redbooks are a distinct category, but they are a distinct category of extractable game media, not official soundtrack releases. I'd venture a guess that most redbooks don't even have that much music on them. The majority of PC-Engine redbooks mostly consist of voice dialogue, and maybe a few vocals, while the in-game BGM is still synth, so there's no way that these were intended to be official soundtracks. Somebody should cover extractable game media including redbooks, but it should be a seperate database from the officials. I'm sure that VGMdb will play a role in whatever effort takes form.
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