ReMix:Xenogears "Indie Rock Dajil" 3:18

By The Pancake Chef

Arranging the music of one song...

"Dazil, City of Burning Sand"

Primary Game: Xenogears (Square , 1998, PS1), music by Yasunori Mitsuda

Posted 2001-12-10, evaluated by djpretzel


Sorta like my Dhalsim ReMix, the latest from the Pancake Chef mixes techno elements with world instruments - in this case sitar and a nice ethnic flute. However, it's actually less techno and more rock, with a slower tempo and a nice acoustic rock drum kit on the right side of the drum track and a shaker on the left. Nice resonant bassline - I might have opted for a bit beefier patch here, but it doesn't matter too much either way, as the drum dropout flute solo, where a violin joins in as well, and just the mixing of the track in general, is first-rate. Bass is actually cool in the sense that at points it sounds electronic, but at denser parts of the mix sounds almost like a fingered electric. The delay-line on the sitar definitely makes it all work, and the high-pitched uber-resonant percussive effect most noticeable in the intro, but present in later segments as well, adds sonic depth to the high-end. Nice take on the track - one can only guess, but judging from how it fits in with the game's style, I would posit that Mitsuda would approve as well.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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WesternZypher
on 2019-05-20 12:06:19

Man I miss TPC's sweet, savory remixes. This is one tasty dosa.

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bobby1983
on 2012-06-29 18:05:02

I really like this. Everything is wonderful. The leads and even that nice underlying pulse sound that comes in every now and then. Great work, thanks!

*It sounds very much like that Buck Rogers disco scene. :

Buck rogers disco music from 1979. yes that's right kids, 1979.

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Rexy
on 2011-12-15 03:44:06

I quite liked some of the Pancake Chef's stuff as I made my rounds here originally; back in 2002, they were seen as a good early example of taking the sources to completely different levels, even if they felt rather brief.

This track serves as a good example even on a production level; taking the bass component of the source material and using it as the driving force for something more lively in nature, it's been reflected well with some strong articulation and synth modulation work done for their time. The melody may be referenced in fragments, and even then it doesn't come through properly until around 2:10, but I'm sure enough was done with the backing to allow for the patience to come through.

What does irk me a little bit though was that some of the samples were written in these egyptian musical scales, while others were written entirely in minor keys, which makes it slightly difficult to comprehend on a writing level when the two elements clashed together in various points past the 1 minute mark. For me, clashing scales can be seen as a miss, but given that these irks are fewer than I'd usually expect from such mashups, I can be cool with it.

So for a 2002 work, I dig this. I still wouldn't call it my personal favorite of the Pancake Chef's works though, but it's still a tasteful adaptation of Mitsuda's work and can be worth looking into if you're a fan of either him or the Xeno series :)

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Bahamut
on 2009-10-29 00:52:39

I remember originally not being a huge fan of this, but listening to it now, it does sound kind of nifty. I don't really have any complaints that come to mind on this one.

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evktalo
on 2009-04-29 05:02:29

Quirky and groovy! The sounds are very nice, only the mixing/processing shows the age. Slightly repetitive, but regardless, it's making me move, it's good!

--Eino

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DragonAvenger
on 2008-11-28 23:56:33

This song is quite unique, with some good execution. Synth sounds are pretty good for their age, but I would love to hear this updated. Good energy throughout the mix, sections and instruments change up right when I was going to comment on them being a bit stagnant. Nice work.

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OA
on 2007-06-13 10:14:32

This is a really good mix, with a great arrangement. All new textures, some subtly altered rhythms, and some great breakdowns, this really deserves some more love.

The oscilating synths in this are really sweet, and probably my favorite part; there are probably three seperate ones scattered throughout the soundscape and they fade in and out, and pan around, keeping things in constant motion. Combined with the groovetacular bass and some guitarish chords, you have a foundation for success.

One nitpick is that i'm not really feeling the panned drumset; I think it should have been spread out across the field a bit more instead of one side.

Definitely recommended.

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avaris
on 2006-12-19 19:40:13

Sweet stuff, def diggin the concept as well as the execution. Some of the composition feel a bit repetative but bringing different sounds n and out as the song progresses is def a good thing. I really like what you've with the main melody, makes it even catchier.

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meccaneer
on 2005-10-03 23:27:41

So, my girlfriend is a traditional middle-eastern dancer by trade. And your song didn't entirely turn me off so, that's a good sign. I suppose you were going more for Indian. It's a fun listen... A bit simple but, definately different as per usuality.

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Sirocco
on 2005-08-10 17:24:44

Great job! Your inspiring me to do a lot more ethnic work! You've nailed the middle eastern sound with outstanding success!

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Mr. Fox
on 2005-01-21 12:57:04

This could be the soundtrack of movies such as "Oceans Twelve" or "Snatch"... Fantastic.

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kirbenvost
on 2004-02-02 05:11:20

Wicked! :D This one gets saved... ;)

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Gonsai The Mysterious Scr
on 2002-12-24 01:07:48
:twisted: :::proceeds to dance like a complete idiot::: ((^_)))
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TheWired
on 2002-08-07 01:03:19

Wow .. arabic mixing .. I never thought i'd see this. And the pancake chef brings to us another risyk track that does a huge smashing hit off the face.

Seriously though, the beat on this track is great.

My only complaint is that the bass is extremely repetitive and sort of annoying when you get down to listening to for a while .. But it could just be me getting really cranky.

The Pancake chef pulls off another stunt with an amazing mix, and im hoping he realises what a great artist he is, without getting too much of an ego about it ^_^

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Ginnsu
on 2002-05-24 22:18:58

Xenogears 'Indie Rock Dajil'

Oh! Check out this India ethnic thing The Pancake Chef has going on in this Xenogears piece. This is great stuff. There is never a dull moment when The Pancake Chef is around. The Pancake Chef, stop flipping those paper thin crepes and do more mixing, because this stuff rocks.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Xenogears (Square , 1998, PS1)
Music by Yasunori Mitsuda
Songs:
"Dazil, City of Burning Sand"

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File Information


Name:
Xenogears_Indie_Rock_Dajil_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,840,690 bytes
MD5:
904f53e9714c5267ecb1d9c70b13c23e
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
3:18

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