[Joe Redifer]

Shinobi 'Shin Shuriken Jam'

This has got to be my favorite of DJP's early efforts. I like what he has done here. This is based off of the first stage music in the Sega Master System version of the game. Something to keep in mind is that EVERY SINGLE STAGE in the game had this exact same music, so DJP could have easily called it "Shinobi - Last Stage" and it still would have worked (the arcade and PC Engine versions featured about 4 different themes, the arcade had completely different 1st stage music, which Rayza has arranged). This tune is featured in level 1-2 in the arcade... that's the stage with the pictures of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the brick wall.

DJP takes the theme and makes it jam. It doesn't follow the tune note for note, as he takes the time to make sure he adds just enough funk between the familiar notes. If you have played the game then you need to download this tune. And since you are reading this then you must have at least a moderate interest. Start downloading if you haven't already!

[JamPaladin]

I like this one. It starts off (and continues with) a very cool melody thingo that goes down then up. This is the centrepiece of the whole tune, down with some Japenese sounding pipe/flute sort of thing, and gives the whole mix a very Japenese flavour. Think of a Jubei from ninja scroll wearing a funky orange bandana, and bopping to the beat and you'll get the idea.

Subjective Ninja-Headbanging-O-Meter: 8.898/10

[Mario Buu]

Way to go Djpretzel. I didnt think this song could get much better, but now it jams on my computer, soon to be on disk, making it instantly better.

Also, the tune to the song now is much more happy then ninja like then the game had originally had it, but that suits me just fine, as the game makes me happy, and not a ninja.

[Txai]

Wow! That´s very amused! The rhythm is good for the ears and the transformed version of the Shinobi with other instruments is very creative. The flute is pretty and the production is interesting. The style of this stuff remembers the ShInObI gAmEs. djpretzel used pan, pitch and other good resources in your mix. Okay, good job!

- SOMEMASHOMO!!

[Cerd_Fen]

If this song isn't a testament to this site's longstanding tradition of quality, I don't know what is. The very first remix ever posted here, and still one of my favorites. Very nice beat to jam/headbob/DJP along to. Quite a lot of panning effects, so your ears don't get bored listening to it. It's techno style, and yet it still sounds distinctly ninja-chinese.

[Liontamer]

The beatwork could have used some more power, and the flute's a bit mechanically sequenced, but the overall texture is pretty solid, and I really loved the interpretation of the melodic components here. The panning tricks going on during the breakdown in the middle were too extreme, but were used only briefly. A great first mix that illustrates the mission statement and creativity standards of OCR from day 1.

[OA]

So this is where it all started..

The starting thick and slightly dutuned synth is pretty tight, though I think layering it with some sub bass would make it sound even better. The flute is a little too piercing unless i crank the volume way down, and there is a small stutter between transitions between sections, there is a lot of cool stuff happening here.

The guitar sample used during the breakdown is perfectly used; VERY SPARINGLY. Just a few chords here and there, with a few effects on it.

[maelkashishi]

The mix is not outstanding in any respect, but it conveys a good and upbeat feeling. There are a number of weaknesses, such as some sounds being too harsh and a slight lengthyness when regarding the unspectacular middle part and the rather simple background loop. But as a whole, the song is ok nevertheless, as it refrains from any pretence and just wants to be a nice variation on the source tune.

[Streets of Rage bum]

If u guys are wondering why i've been reviewing all these older titles lately...well, i find that there's alot of jems hidden in here that don't get enough attention, partly due to newer OCR members checking out the newer releases + the fact that only the old school gamers would remember the older titles. Speaking of, this jam is pretty damn funky, got the feeling of a ninja just strollin down the streets of chinatown and boppin to this tune. Anyways, great job DJP A few of the mixes here, sound dated due to newer tools and styles, but 8 years later, this piece still holds up in my mind.

[BomberKid]

For such an old song, I found ShinShuriken nice to listen to. It had a nice beat going, some variation and the quality instruments didn't bug me that much.
I thought more people would have commented on this, or maybe the key to browsing through songs ins't as obvious to everyone else...