ReMix: Super Mario Bros. 2 'UndergroundRiddims'
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- Game: Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): McVaffe
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Underground BGM'
- Posted: 2002-01-25, evaluated by djpretzel
The McV strikes again, this time with that most repetitive of underground themes, the Mario 2 underground music. I was honestly skeptical when I double-clicked on this file - even if it IS The McVaffe, how can a theme that so haunted my youth, with its billions of iterations per minute, be resurrected & reformatted in a way that I'd appreciate? I don't fault the original composer, no sirree, but this WAS a theme that drove me somewhat insane. Well, you may be guessing where I'm going with this, but he pulls it off - primarily by covering the theme itself with excellent percussion (love dem rolls) & 'riddim', but also in adding an excellent solo sitar towards the end that makes the track complete. Sitar patche used is good stuff, too, and articulated believably. Very clean production as always, and "the solid quality and reliability you've come to expect" from McVaffe. Personal thanks to him for ReMixing a song I didn't think could be made into an enjoyable mix on its own. Observation - the percussion, at the very beginning, sounds like the intro to Sade's 'Smooth Operator'. Appropriate.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Great take on the underground theme. Ironically, I heard this mix
long before I gave SMB2 a shot on the Virtual Console. I probably
enjoyed the game even more because of it. Anyways, digging the
soundscape here. The percussion can practically stand on its own.
By the time the piano and strings come in, the spectrum has filled
out very nicely. The sitar at 1:50 is very fitting. Reminds me a
bit of Koji Kondo's work on Super Mario 64.
- SubNormal J3 on February 27, 2011
- SubNormal J3 on February 27, 2011
This is such a memorable piece.
Short and sweet, stops at the very right moment (before boredom), and every single sitar note added is absolutely perfect. Even so, for me, it's the percussion that makes the mix.
- Holy Land on October 25, 2010
Short and sweet, stops at the very right moment (before boredom), and every single sitar note added is absolutely perfect. Even so, for me, it's the percussion that makes the mix.
- Holy Land on October 25, 2010
A bit too short and it sounds like it could have been expanded at
the end, but it works for me. The intro and the beginning piano are
gold. The sitar is probably the best part. This mix would work in a
street market in the more eastern countries IMO. Like I said,
short, but recommended.
- Crulex on February 27, 2010
- Crulex on February 27, 2010
So other than some production aspects, this song is just too short.
Just when I expect it to build into something more, the song
undergoes a fadeout :-( .
- Bahamut on January 7, 2010
- Bahamut on January 7, 2010
This is one of those source tunes that seems to be made with
remixing in mind. Short, distinct and ultra-flexible.
I like that McVaffe hasn't messed with the tune's simplicity all that much, but rather made it much more structured and easier on the ears. Gone is the grungy, wonky sensibilities of the original and replaced with some very pleasant strings and piano. The sitar brings in that world influence and some much desired expansion on the short theme.
In all, I don't think this is anything earth-shattering, however for a source that has a lot of cool ideas but in a less than ideal form, this mix is just what was called for. +1 point for McVaffe.
- Marmiduke on October 16, 2009
I like that McVaffe hasn't messed with the tune's simplicity all that much, but rather made it much more structured and easier on the ears. Gone is the grungy, wonky sensibilities of the original and replaced with some very pleasant strings and piano. The sitar brings in that world influence and some much desired expansion on the short theme.
In all, I don't think this is anything earth-shattering, however for a source that has a lot of cool ideas but in a less than ideal form, this mix is just what was called for. +1 point for McVaffe.
- Marmiduke on October 16, 2009
This mix is awesome in how well it transforms the source. Perfect
style change going on, and way to make a repetative (though catchy)
source listenable, and even enjoyable. Still a fun listen.
- DragonAvenger on September 11, 2009
- DragonAvenger on September 11, 2009
Considering how repetative the source is, I was a bit nervous
listening, but this mix really creates the perfect mood and keeps
it fresh. The percussion is fantastic, and the strings sound
perfectly smooth. Just when the piano theme gets to be too much, it
drops out and we are treated to a little sitar solo.
Overall its a good mix, but repeated listens are completely out of the question because of the source. It just starts grating after 2-3 listens in a row. :/
- OA on January 2, 2007
Overall its a good mix, but repeated listens are completely out of the question because of the source. It just starts grating after 2-3 listens in a row. :/
- OA on January 2, 2007
Mustin wrote: I think this one was removed or something, but if you can find it, check it out.
You might be thinking of "Phazeremix Rag" getting removed.
- Liontamer on December 17, 2006
I think this one was removed or something, but if you can find it,
check it out. This theme has always been one of my favourites from
the Mario games and I arrange it any chance I get. McVaffe lays it
down nice and simple here. Great percussion, good sounds, clean
production and just typical McVaffe-goodness.
A good arrangement of one of my favourites. If you liked the [i]Super Mario Bros. 2[/i] music, check this out.
- Mustin on December 16, 2006
A good arrangement of one of my favourites. If you liked the [i]Super Mario Bros. 2[/i] music, check this out.
- Mustin on December 16, 2006
Ahh, this such a laidback and easy to listen to song. I remember
digging down through the pyramids to this beat almost too well. The
repetitive nature of the song doesn't even bother me thanks to the
way McVaffe smoothed everything out. Good work, man. [Relaxes]
- dull soul on March 10, 2005
- dull soul on March 10, 2005
McV does absolutely the best percussion. Absolutely. Everything
about this mix just fits perfectly. Highly recommended.
- Longinus on December 7, 2003
- Longinus on December 7, 2003
Smooth as silk, and the sitar really fits in perfectly.
More ear candy from McVaffe :D
- Krythan on December 6, 2003
More ear candy from McVaffe :D
- Krythan on December 6, 2003
I've downloaded a lot of McVaffe's stuff here, and I generally
kinda like McVaffe's remixes on here, but didn't find them that
great. But this one... WOW.
Maybe I'm just a weird person that loved the SMB2 underground theme. I did... as repetive as it was, it was still mysterious sounding and really got me into the mood of this game.
I listened to this, and it bugged me at first 'cause the initial chords weren't exactly the same, but once the piano came in, I was like "cool" and then the violins came in and just blew me away. I never imagined violins there but they were perfect. And yes, the sitar was very cool... also added to the mysteriousness of the track. This would fit perfect in a game or just to groove to. I think even those that hated the original theme might like this. Gotta hand it to McVaffe for taking 10 seconds of music and turning it into almost 3 minutes of awesome sound.
- trashmanal on October 27, 2003
Maybe I'm just a weird person that loved the SMB2 underground theme. I did... as repetive as it was, it was still mysterious sounding and really got me into the mood of this game.
I listened to this, and it bugged me at first 'cause the initial chords weren't exactly the same, but once the piano came in, I was like "cool" and then the violins came in and just blew me away. I never imagined violins there but they were perfect. And yes, the sitar was very cool... also added to the mysteriousness of the track. This would fit perfect in a game or just to groove to. I think even those that hated the original theme might like this. Gotta hand it to McVaffe for taking 10 seconds of music and turning it into almost 3 minutes of awesome sound.
- trashmanal on October 27, 2003
This was one of the very first remixes I downloaded from
this OC and it still has a special place in my hea.... ehhh on my drive!
Its so laidback and cool! And that sitar gives me goosebumps everytime!
Highly recommended even if this genre´s not everyones cup of tea!
- provoker on September 22, 2002
this OC and it still has a special place in my hea.... ehhh on my drive!
Its so laidback and cool! And that sitar gives me goosebumps everytime!
Highly recommended even if this genre´s not everyones cup of tea!
- provoker on September 22, 2002
