OCR01197 - Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'Saharalah's Homecoming'

[djpretzel]

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

[InfinitysEnd]

I guess you just have to have a good taste for "smooth jazz" to really appreciate this stuff. This band, and the 1-up mushrooms have a smiliar style, in that they both sound like elevator music. This happens any time you have a sax as a lead, and a keyboardist, bass guitar and drums as backup. Guess I'd like it better if I was in the mood...you say "beatnik poetry cafe," I say "elevator music." :(

[Kajed Berd]

Forgive me for being an ass about this or just picky...but Sahasralah is not from Ocarina of Time, he's from Link to the Past. If this song is a remake of Zelda's Lullaby, maybe it should be Zelda's homecoming...anyway, that just ticks me off. The song itself:
I am a fan of jazz, and Neskvartetten obviously very successfully turned this into a smooth, finger snappin' toe tappin' piece that will have you bobbin' your head and kickin' back with your glass of scotch, staring at the moon. At least that's what I do when I listen to jazz...*cough*. I think any jazz fan will agree that this was a great adaptation indeed. The sexophone (as I call it, and whether it was a synth, or real, not too sure) is beautifully done, it's all good...

-Berd

[analoq]

musicians of this calibre that contribute to the vg remixing scene are few and far inbetween.
ah, the buildup at ~3.37 is superb.
always a pleasure, Neskvartetten.

cheers.

[Flare4War]

When I read DJ's review of the mix I was getting really excited because I thought it was going to be something like the post recent 'Linus Spacehead Spacedrifter' mix that was done by Dark Sword. (Which by the way is one of the best remixes ever and if you haven't downloaded it you should be branded a loser by way of a hot rod to the ass..Anyways, sorry about the tangent.) This mix was similiar in that it had the lead sax. It definitely isn't the same type of thing though.

Although this was well put together, it seemed clean and natural; it just isn't my type of music.

[Fieari]

Personally, I'm not fond of this particular Jazz style. I mean, I love most jazz, but lounge jazz isn't my thing. Although I must admit the stuff around the 2 minute mark is good stuff, and afterwards too... probably the reason this was accepted in the first place. I mean, it's got LOTS of flair there.

In the beginning though, it just feels like the player lacks a certain amount of control. The feeling I get is that he wants to play longer notes that start loud and get soft, but lacking the dynamic control, just plays staccatto. Staccatto doesn't fit here, I think. Maybe it was intentional, but it comes off... not good.

As I said, it gets better latter, although still in the lounge style, but the beginning... meh. Props for playing it live though. More live stuff is always good.

[Moo2u]

I've noticed there just isn't enough jazz players and fans around here, and I thinks that's just sad.

This is a great and relaxing piece. I give it 2 of my thumbs upwards.

[Blake]

Glad to see some good jazzy talent. I am loving this man. This is very inspirational to me for some reason, and I love how that sax pumps out those notes (you?). Anyway, the arrangement is very cool.
Any jazz or instrumental fans out there I highly encourage to download this song. This is good stuff; real talent.

[SasukeKonoha]

While well-played, this kind of jazz is not my particular cup of tea. I more like the style used in the ReMix "Belmont Lounge". Give it a 3/5 though.

[CykoticZZ]

I played this song for my dad who is a huge interpretive jazz fan. He couldn't believe the song was based on a video game until i played the original for him. He was amazed to find the skill and creativity with the artist(s) of this piece. His views on video games are now changed forever. Thanks for making this piece. Its more than a song, it is the buding of a new genre in which music (not just VG) remixing / interpreting can grow into.

P.S. he still won't pay for xbox live tho.

[Mustin]

I played this song for my dad who is a huge interpretive jazz fan. He couldn't believe the song was based on a video game until i played the original for him. He was amazed to find the skill and creativity with the artist(s) of this piece. His views on video games are now changed forever. Thanks for making this piece. Its more than a song, it is the buding of a new genre in which music (not just VG) remixing / interpreting can grow into.

[Laughs] Hey, great story. Glad to hear your Dad isn't too much of a snob to not listen to this. Always good to hear of a Jazz Head listening to something outside of Jazz ;)

Also, yes, this song is from A Link to the Past and not as listed.

InfinitysEnd, just because something has a soprano saxophone in it does not mean it's elevator music. If you want to be close-minded like that, that's fine. I guess you really are the end of infinity. And it's OneUp Mushrooms.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Neskvartetten, though I can't pronounce it, is still the best video game music tribute band. Their talent and musicianship really shines bright. Yeah, it's a lot of fun to mosh around to the Minibosses and NESkimos because they're music is great, but Neskvartetten really makes me think about how I arrange and listen to music. These guys know their jazz. I'm both envious and in awe. Hats off to them and another superior track.

[Dicaeopolis]

I downloaded this one from the official Neskvartetten website long ago, and it's been my favorite Zelda remix ever since (second only to Thelonius Temple High (http://www.ocremix.org/detailmix.php?mixid=OCR00082), perhaps). It's a shame so many claim this 'isn't your cup of tea,' because this is a really high quality arrangement. I've checked out some other of this group's pieces, but this is my favorite by far.

[Fieari]

Thelonius Temple High now... THAT'S some good stuff.

[bouncerboy15]

This is some good stuff. Nice Jazz. :D

[SonGoku-X]

Like all the other Neskvartetten Songs I love this one too. This just rocks!

[RimFrost the Tourianist]

Great jazz for the Zelda generation , download it now

[Thornless Rose]

solid jazz remix. beginning's iffy, but the rest of the mix is great. sounds like something you might hear in a café. very relaxed.

[Corporal Eschebone]

Ah, I really like this. Nice, laid-back jazz. Excellent quality on the performance and recording. I kind of like how everything else behind the sax seems a bit hushed, putting the sax up-front, except for around 3:00-ish where the percussion wakes you up.

Good job on this mix. Definately a keeper.

[Millman]

Aw man, that's some nice stuff you got there Neskvartetten. I really love the jazz sound and smooth vibes given off from the quiet percussion in the backround. The deviation from Zelda's Lullaby at 1:15 is pretty neat, but you forget that it's still just a remix. Unfortunately, that deviation lasts a really long time. It's more like interpretive jazz with allusions to Zelda's Lullaby, which is neat, but just not solid enough for a title of ReMix. I still really, really like it though, so I give it a 8/10. Way to go Neskvartetten, keep it up.

[Ffej]

Being a sax player myself, I can really appreciate this mix. I'll just say this: I like it. A lot.

P.S. Why is it suddenly listed as a Link's Awakening mix? Zelda's Lullaby is from OoT...

[Disco Dan]

Not really jazz like the Duke, and not really "smooth jazz" (a misnomer if ever there was one) either. It's a bit more unstructured than classical jazz in that, while it comes together as a whole very well, it seems most of the time as if the individual players were doing their own thing instead of playing as parts of a whole, more like a jazzy jam session than a song. However, it's not quite to the point of being Phish on dramamine.

It's not really my cup of tea, to be honest. While I appreciate the performance skills of the players involved, the piece as whole doesn't keep my attention. This would be something I would enjoy more in a live setting where the experience of being there makes ordinary music more exciting. As a whole it bores me, but there is no doubt that the players are capable of playing exceptionally well.

And as Ellington once said "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing."

D

[-RK-]

The bass is a perfect compliment to the Sax. The atmosphere this song gives off is its strongest point. In the beginning, it seems a little scattered to me, but it pulls it together and becomes a very soothing mix. Great.

[Decrescendo]

It's not really my style, but it's good. I listened to it a few times and it's real easy listening. Not too complicated. Overall good job!

[Bahamut]

I must ask one question - why does the picture in the front page show Zelda: Link's Awakening instead of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? The song says Zelda 64 in the file name, and so I just find it odd.

[Solid Krono]

I must ask one question - why does the picture in the front page show Zelda: Link's Awakening instead of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? The song says Zelda 64 in the file name, and so I just find it odd.

I figured the picture was changed from the Zelda 64 one because of the name "saharalahs" home coming, saharalah being from A Link to the Past, but of course, for some reason, its Link's Awakening :?

[Species8472]

Everything about the file identification now says Links Awakening. But the fact remains that this is a Link to the Past mix. I suppose if you wanted you could say its a mix from any of the games that actually have this tune in it which Link's Awakening does not. So I've changed everything in the file to show the correct information. In OCR format of course.

[Great King Rat]

Actually... I don't actually remember LA having Zelda's Lullaby anyway.

Either way, this is a very smooth piece - well, for very, read rather. The kind of thing you'd want to add a 20's or 30's female vocalist to. I didn't like the start too much - the bass took too long to come in.

[KogeJoe]

I think this theme's been done WAY too much... and this is just one more time I have to sit through it...

No offence, but it really sounds amateurish. The reed breaks a few times, and the group just doesn't sound together. Also, I really don't think this theme fits a jazz setting. It would have to be REAL good, and this just doesn't cut it... sorry guys...

[Ryu2Wolf]

Neat idea really. Cool ensemble. Main event sets the sax but may need a but more tuning. Very complex parts tho so kudos on who ever is playing the part. I'd like to hear vibrato on the high notes. Bass helps to smooth the band and percussion is well equipped too. Nice work so far guys!

[42]

Zelda's Lullaby was always "meh :|" for me, but this is still great.

Just good live jazz.

Also, Zelda's Lullaby in A Link to the Past?
Does this mix have the wrong info or something?

[OA]

Pretty classy sounding stuff, but personally I find it to be way over-noodled and not cohesive sounding. It's like for a lot of sections, the 5 instruments weren't playing the same song. Production is fine, in a washed-out jazz vibe, but overall, the arrangement meanders far too much for my preference.

Sorry guys. :-(

[Serenissima]

For all you nublets and young'ns out there who question the use of Zelda's Lullaby in LOZ:ALTTP it may be before your time . . . but Zelda's Lullaby as been around for a long time . . . I know it was in ALTTP from which the title was given and I do believe Zelda's Lullaby predates ALTTP if I am not mistaken although its been too long since I have played the games before the superb SNES title (which in my opinion is far superior to LOZ:OOT in many aspects flame away all you kids who grew up on N64 (cause you know . . . internet flamewars make peoples change their minds :razz:)

[-RK-]

This is such a great arrangement, every single second spills character. I love the organ, the textures here mesh together so well. Perhaps slightly liberal, but I'd say it isn't only great, it was necessary.

Just Yes.

[WesternZypher]

jazz piece sounds great during the holidays - this one is no exception. Jazz and Zelda = great combination.