ReMix:Double Dragon "Hammer's Garage" 5:09

By Neostorm

Arranging the music of one song...

"The Black Warriors Arrive (City Slum)"

Primary Game: Double Dragon (Technos , 1987, ARC), music by Kazunaka Yamane

Posted 2002-11-17, evaluated by djpretzel


Here it be, folks - OC ReMix's first Double Dragon ReMix, courtesy Neostorm, who writes: "This is a House remix of the first stage tune in the arcade version of Double Dragon, "City Slum" by Kazunaka Yamane. This remix was created using Fruity Loops 3.4 and Sonic Synth instruments." Kazunaka Yamane, sometimes referred to as "K. Yamane" in credits, also did the music for the Technos game Combatribes as well. I was only really familiar with the main theme from DD, but this is some really good swing house with great jazz elements thrown in including some soloing on organ THROUGH a wah-wah effect (there's also some hits earlier on using this - it's one of the main elements of the track) - I give Neostorm some major props here because A. He's using some non-traditional mixing and effects on instruments you don't often see that done to B. His soloing is superboogiefantastic C. It sounds good, works, and doesn't stick out or seem inappropriate. Introing with the classic opening DD sound effects of the garage and engine, a boppin' bass (also processed through some wah), saw synth chord comps, the mentioned wah organ stabs, some excellent layered swing house beats, sustained strings, and piano all come together in a stew of steppin' beat jazz that's very juicy. Check the breakdown at 1'50" and the percussion + processing - immensely listenable. I wasn't as sure about the key change around 3'55", but it both follows and precedes some really rather mean soloing Neostrom should be proud of. This is five minutes of music that completely held my interest - it's genre but it breaks a lot of molds and it's the logical evolution from Neo's previous Crystalis ReMix as well. Takes some risks that pay off and shows prowess in electronica and jazz simultaneously. Highly recommended.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black_Doom
on 2017-04-06 13:27:53

Holy shit, I would never believe this song is from 2002! The level of funk is just ridiculously high for sure. The organ is insanely catchy and the piano is really tasty :D Man, just so much energy here. The 4:11 solo is especially groovy. I could easily think that this is some JM's stuff - that's always a compliment, I guess ;)

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Bahamut
on 2012-10-11 00:28:39

This sounds surprisingly well for being such an old mix - it's varied, moves along, and keeps things interesting. It's dated in some respects, but for such a song from back in 2002, I have to say solid work!

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OA
on 2008-02-11 12:36:51

Another buried gem! Gem get!~~

Killer groove on this one, with some great funky organ and some fantastic piano comping. The syncopation on this is really strong, and gives it a really interesting feel. Very polished and well-thought-out. The modulation to minor for the solo section was excellent, and the solo in the section itself was inspired.

The attention to detail paid on this track is great, from the revving engine at the beginning to mod shifts on the synths. Cool percussion rounds it out. The snare sound is a bit unexpected, but it fits perfectly and helps open my mind to snare sounds.

I'm surprised there aren't more Double Dragon mixes as the soundtrack is so good. I remember back around 1990 or so I would listen to the title screen music of the Double Dragon theme on my gameboy with headphones while I waited for the bus. It was one of my first moments of leaving a game sit just to hear the music; along with the boat theme of the original Final Fantasy.

Great work; excellent mix +1, nostalgia +1

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Liontamer
on 2007-05-14 01:25:20

Man, this one's been the shit for so many years. Honestly can't believe it hasn't gotten more props. Fire this track up.

Great, personalized arrangement with some awesome development dynamics. Just when you think the track's said all it can say, you get a sweet changeup at 3:56 into another part of the source.

Neostorm, now there's someone I wish came out with 25 more mixes...

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jordex
on 2004-11-20 15:06:12

Those "Wah" sounds really make up this song, I couldn't picture it without them

The strings are nice and calm which is good for a break away from the faster paced parts

The piano near the "Wah" solo around the end is also great

Hope to see more from Neostorm, his Crystalis song was the very first song I downloaded from here

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Kamikaze Noodle
on 2004-02-12 00:16:43

Damn, this is great stuff. Something about the way the whole thing's been put together makes it just have a groove all its own. The one problem I have is a minor one. I think the organ actually gets a little annoying after a while, being mixed so far in the front and repeating over and over. Small gripe that noone else seems to have, so I must be crazy or something. Other than that, this is a great remix of one of my favorite songs from Double Dragon. One of my favorite childhood games. :nicework:

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Gnam
on 2003-06-14 00:15:26

I like this song. It's funky, but it works. I've been waiting for a while for someone to do some guitar mixes of Double Dragon songs, but the funky synth sound of this song matches the original DD music perfectly. Parts of it sound very similar to the sound of the original NES music, but also the way the distortion, beat, and other instruments like the piano come together with it, it becomes a finished peice of music. It sounds like some cool music that was meant to be listened to, not just some old crappy videogame tunes. It rocks, it stays true to the game it came from, and it's original. Good job, and I hope to hear some more like this.

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thethirdglove
on 2003-04-27 03:25:04

Hey neostorm, great mix, please make some more bombastic groove like this one

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esden9
on 2003-03-13 01:03:09

I honestly think this is *the* best dance genre remix on this site. And your solo's kick so much ass, even my bud's that dont like dance are like "Wow, that is some badass jam". Mad props mang.

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neostormx
on 2002-11-23 02:26:28

Wow guys, i appreciate all the great feedback. With all this good review im afraid my next submission wont be as good hehe. Im going to try though :)

Sorry about the pan on the percussions. I was messing around with a stereo enhancer vst (without using headphones -- BAD mistake) and it sounded just fine on my stereo. the stereo enhancer kinda panned the percussions to the right a little. In either case, it still sounds good if you dont use headphones :)-

I don't know exactly what song(s) i heard the wah-wah organ from, but throughout my years listening to old funk music, im sure thats where my inspiration came from. I'm glad you guys liked that, i was thinking some would think it was old fashioned. But I like it funky, baby... yea!

....it's got a very upbeat and energetic rhythm that has helped re-motivate me into working on my Goonies 2 cave-theme jazz remix....

Im glad it re-motivated you! That's why i love to do this.

big thanks to djpretzel btw!

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Sherv
on 2002-11-22 22:17:09

Yeah!!! Great job on this remix, dude! I really enjoyed the wah-organ approach, and I totally agree with Ryan8bit's comment about the "happy" feeling....it's got a very upbeat and energetic rhythm that has helped re-motivate me into working on my Goonies 2 cave-theme jazz remix

Awesome!

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Protricity
on 2002-11-20 13:38:21

Very nice, This is the stuff I like to see on OC.

I am not farmiliar with the arcade version of this game, but I played the Nes version 1000 times. The song is basically the same with minor differences. Love the use of instruments. Love the expansion on the melody. Keep it up Neo

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Streets of Rage bum
on 2002-11-19 17:15:38

Hooray, Double Dragon finally gets a mix at OCR! Well, i still think the perfect DD mix would be a rock/techno mix, but this one was still quite entertaining. It's pretty fun to listen to if you just like a happy kinda dance tune, but if you're a DD fan, you'll definitly enjoy it !

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sgx
on 2002-11-18 02:15:21

This is great! I love those organ sounds. You could have made that pattern played by a non-effected organ, and it would have sounded fine, but the little cutoff changing effects just adds a great touch. And again with the organs, your improv is really great! I've been in jazz bands and I wish our soloists would throw in such cool, melodic ideas into their improv solos. Everything else is top notch! Nice stuff.

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Ebonyks
on 2002-11-17 23:28:34

I agree about the drums being slightly off balanced, but overall, as a general, upbeat remix, this one works on quite a few levels. Almost had me dancing in my chair :)

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Double Dragon (Technos , 1987, ARC)
Music by Kazunaka Yamane
Songs:
"The Black Warriors Arrive (City Slum)"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Funk
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Piano,Sound FX,Synth
Additional:
Time > 4/4 Time Signature

File Information


Name:
Double_Dragon_Hammer's_Garage_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,026,141 bytes
MD5:
555031b4936b312cc593424d500c3185
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
5:09

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