ReMix: Sonic & Knuckles 'Angel'
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- Game: Sonic & Knuckles (Sega, 1994, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): DarkeSword
- Composer(s): Howard Drossin, Jun Senoue, Tomonori Sawada
- Song(s): 'Lava Reef Zone'
- Posted: 2003-09-23, evaluated by djpretzel
Yes. DarkeSword aka Shariq Ansari gives us his most mature ReMix to date, a very enjoyable, fast-paced jazz arrangement from Sonic & Knuckles. Saxophone is the flavor of the moment here, and while it might not fool you into thinking Coltrane is in the room with you (which would take an act of god regardless), the samples used are decent enough that - in conjunction with Sahriq's knowing arrangement - things work well. Large portions actually consist of what is technically a saxophone duet, with harmony playing a very pivotal role in the mix. There's also a quick drum pattern with delicious ride cymbal and rim shot articulations that give one the feeling of travelling in Fall or Winter, with spartan scenery passing quickly by, in a luxury vehicle of some kind (I've always been a sucker for the Rolls Royce Phantom series). There's a great amount of interpretation here, with considerable portions of sax soloing that come off not as self-indulgent but expressive and absolutely appropriate. There's high quality piano and a fitting, unobstrusive bass to fill things out. Very spacious, wide mixing gives a feel of pensive, cool reticence that changes to warmer, more kinetic motion at points. I'm impressed on all accounts - transitions work, melodic and harmonic interpretation are high calibre, and the whole ReMix comes together in a very polished but still emotional package. Recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Though I could hear the counter melody present in the source in the background, and the main melody given to the sax, I think the new chords, rhythm and speed give Lava Reef (after) an entirely new feel.
GREAT work. Ideal for relaxing out on a summer beach. I could be playing this as I watch the sun set driving on Hwy 1 in Big Sur.
GREAT work.
- KogeJoe on January 29, 2007
Wha..? Where was I? Oh yes. AWESOME remix. Usually when I think about a piece with both a sax and piano in it, then it's jazz. However, this clearly isn't jazz, it's way to happy. It must be the fact that the bass is missing. However, jazz or no jazz, this arrangement was swell to listen to. No complaints, no annoying sounds nor samples. This remix is like a river, you'll just float with it.
Nice work, DS.
- Bummerdude on April 28, 2006
great job.
- Son_of_Thunder on April 17, 2005
- Txai on April 16, 2005
- SirRus on September 25, 2004
Walan wrote: I caught the Hidden Palace Zone tune as soon as I heard it. And the solo had a little bit of Lava Reef Zone in it too. Very nice, Darke. This is one of your best yet.
Well, seeing as the Hidden Palace Zone song is the exact same song as the Lava Reef zone act 2, that makes sense...
Anyway, great remix of the song. It's a great song to chill out to...
- Derk_wtf on June 14, 2004
DarkAura wrote: I didn't like the remix. It just didn't hold true to the "awesome" reviews it was getting. A sax doesn't do this song justice. I'm sorry, but the remix wasn't really worth my time. The Hidden Palace music was taken waaaay too fast for my liking, and no beat makes for a no-brainer.
No beat?
There's very strong beat there.
- DarkeSword on May 19, 2004
DarkAura wrote: I didn't like the remix. It just didn't hold true to the "awesome" reviews it was getting. A sax doesn't do this song justice. I'm sorry, but the remix wasn't really worth my time. The Hidden Palace music was taken waaaay too fast for my liking, and no beat makes for a no-brainer.
Keep it into your opinion... first you say it doesn't deserve any praise, but all the reasons you came up with are just a matter of opinion. This is a remix site, and although I like remixes that sound just like the original (Golden Axe "Golden Axe 2002", for example), I think "remixes" are by definition a new take on things.
- Axe Canabrava on April 6, 2004
- DarkAura on March 10, 2004
Uberwulf X wrote: Also, the fact that I can easily hear Lava Reef is a good nod back to the gameplay (for those to con't remember right away, Lava Reef 2 leads directly down to Hidden Palace).
Yes, in fact, the music for Lava Reef Zone Act 2 and the Hidden Palace Zone is the same. (The Stage Select in the game lists HPZ as "Lava Reef Act 4", too)
- .......... on October 16, 2003
Also, the fact that I can easily hear Lava Reef is a good nod back to the gameplay (for those to con't remember right away, Lava Reef 2 leads directly down to Hidden Palace). On my playlist, for sure.
- Uberwulf X on October 3, 2003
- robochar on September 27, 2003
The saxaphone is gorgeously luscious. Smooth jazz...
The overall composition is brillianly executed, and this is already a favorite of mine (and i cant even remember the original)
The sax solos are well thought out, as DJP said, without being self-indulgant (for lack of a better word)
First measure of Sax Reminds me of Cowboy Bebop (bonus points for nostalgia)
A+
Theres [i]nothing [/i]wrong in this one.
- myf on September 27, 2003
- Subz1987 on September 26, 2003
Eccles wrote: I kept hearing crescendos in my head and feeling disappointed when they didnt come.
Where?
- DarkeSword on September 26, 2003
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