ReMix: The Last Ninja '8-Bit Kamikaze'
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- Game: The Last Ninja (System 3 Software, 1987, C64)
- ReMixer(s): Gecko Yamori
- Composer(s): Anthony Lees, Ben Daglish
- Song(s):
- Posted: 2003-11-15, evaluated by djpretzel
Though this is the first Last Ninja ReMix on OCR, there's no shortage of remixes of this C64 classic elsewhere on the net - it's sorta the Commodore-ReMixing equivalent of FF6 or Chrono Trigger. Fortunately, Gecko Yamori's take on the venerable classic is distinct and stands on its own as a creative electronia track, with unique guitar chords, quick rise-fall arpeggios that recall the SID in all its glory, a deep, continuous bass, richly processed guitar on melody, and a general overall vibe of - you guessed it - real ultimate power. Dirty analog synth solo at 3'25" and the synth rendition of the melody that follows both rock, and while not overwhelming in complexity, this arrangement just does an excellent job of providing kickass ninja music, for all of your kickass ninja needs. This is a track GY needed to cover, OCR needed to have a ReMix of, and this ReMix holds its own with the very best of the other Last Ninja mixes in existence. The tradeoffs between and integration with guitar timbres are what give it extra life beyond what a straight electronica mix would have offered. Recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I miss Gecko Yamori's music...I wonder where he's at, or whether he
still does remixes...(this song's nice, it prompted that thought)
- WesternZypher on December 7, 2010
- WesternZypher on December 7, 2010
hmm...
Interesting.
I would have expected this to be more intense/faster, not paced techno.
Even though it feels contained, I like it, it's different.
- 42 on March 22, 2009
Interesting.
I would have expected this to be more intense/faster, not paced techno.
Even though it feels contained, I like it, it's different.
- 42 on March 22, 2009
This is one of those rare tracks that I can listen to all night and
never get sick of it. It kicks some serious ass. One of my
favourite mixes on the site. The melody is a perfect fit for the
type of mix this is; a song that slowly unleafs and blossoms before
unveiling its true splendour. The beat is warm, the notes are
colourful, the result is a very well-made, calculated piece of
synth music that I absolutely adore. Fantastic work on all parts.
It's well worthy of excessive listening, so get to it, people.
- Marmiduke on February 17, 2009
- Marmiduke on February 17, 2009
Great intro synth; I love that sort of fade in intro with a cool
sound and a good pattern. The synth bass is pretty static though,
but the beats are pretty hot, and the lead synth I am
digging.
Recently i've gotten way more into the synthetic side of things (mostly because my orchestra samples are jacked), so I can really appreciate some well balanced and good sounding synthwork.
The track overall is a bit repetitive, but it's very enjoyable with some pretty good production, and a generally funky vibe. The ending third is the most creative and interesting, i'd say. The ending was somewhat weak, but overall this is a really nice track.
- OA on April 16, 2008
Recently i've gotten way more into the synthetic side of things (mostly because my orchestra samples are jacked), so I can really appreciate some well balanced and good sounding synthwork.
The track overall is a bit repetitive, but it's very enjoyable with some pretty good production, and a generally funky vibe. The ending third is the most creative and interesting, i'd say. The ending was somewhat weak, but overall this is a really nice track.
- OA on April 16, 2008
"Whoah" to the third power. (Or with a dramatic echo, if you
prefer.)
Not a bad remix. Not bad at all. Not quite as fun as Puffy64's, but it's hard to say exactly what makes this so interesting. It sure sounds epic. Definitely got that "Real Ultimate Power" thing down somewhere there.
(By the way, LN1 and LN2 have - as the writeup says - tons of remixes; I wish there were more remixes of LN3. LN1 soundtrack is ninjaesque, LN2 soundtrack is modernly ninjaesque and rocking, LN3 soundtrack was just plain *moody*.)
- WWWWolf on July 15, 2005
Not a bad remix. Not bad at all. Not quite as fun as Puffy64's, but it's hard to say exactly what makes this so interesting. It sure sounds epic. Definitely got that "Real Ultimate Power" thing down somewhere there.
(By the way, LN1 and LN2 have - as the writeup says - tons of remixes; I wish there were more remixes of LN3. LN1 soundtrack is ninjaesque, LN2 soundtrack is modernly ninjaesque and rocking, LN3 soundtrack was just plain *moody*.)
- WWWWolf on July 15, 2005
DJP pwns for mentioning realultimatepower.net in a write up. Best
fucking write up ever.
Oh yeah and the track is aural candy too.
- Red Shadow on February 8, 2005
Oh yeah and the track is aural candy too.
- Red Shadow on February 8, 2005
Was just checking this out again; played this on my show way, way
back. Very phat stuff, and I love that funked-out lead during the
first section. Nice work, changing up the flow throughout the
track, Dan. Everything here was pretty solid, and I'm glad I heard
this one again. Definitely deserves much more attention then it's
getting, but I hope it's gotten a hot response from the European
side, since they appreciate these mixes more.
- Liontamer on September 23, 2004
- Liontamer on September 23, 2004
I think the low-quality samples are just part of the groove of the
song, and I have no problem with 'em. It makes it seem even more
ninja-esque. Very danceable, and that's really my only criterion
for remixes like these.
- Domukaz on March 2, 2004
- Domukaz on March 2, 2004
Hm.
Now this is strange... The first time I listened to this it didn't really stand out to me, but now... I notice it's got this very cool ninjagroove in it, especially drums are great.
Nice work!
- ArseAssassin on February 9, 2004
Now this is strange... The first time I listened to this it didn't really stand out to me, but now... I notice it's got this very cool ninjagroove in it, especially drums are great.
Nice work!
- ArseAssassin on February 9, 2004
Sonic Wanderer just released his own remix of the same track, so
check it out:
http://remix.kwed.org/download.php/2142/Sonic%20Wanderer%20-%20Last%20Ninja%20Wilderness.mp3
He takes a very different approach, with a very 80s feel :)
- GeckoYamori on November 29, 2003
http://remix.kwed.org/download.php/2142/Sonic%20Wanderer%20-%20Last%20Ninja%20Wilderness.mp3
He takes a very different approach, with a very 80s feel :)
- GeckoYamori on November 29, 2003
Hm... after listening to this mix, I have to say I enjoyed it. The
bass was exceptionally cool. I loved the opening. The drums come in
soft, and then they build in the mid-30 second range. Shortly
after, some cool guitars come in and around 1:18 a second guitar
comes in. The real power of this song comes from it's ability to
meld beats and music in a beat. Very cool.
Around 1:50 we begin to see our tune building, and at 2:03, the ninja-esque element of the mix comes in. Awesome. I loved this.
There was a bit of a problem with this mix - this is just me being picky, though, the synths for the song sounded very high-quality at points, and then some samples seemed very low quality. If the low quality samples could be replaced with higher quality ones, this mix would be even higher on my list of favourites.
On the whole, I'd give this mix about an 7.5-8.5/10
Very cool, stylish, good beat - a couple of little things I didn't like, parts where the music seemed to go too high into the treble area - but on the whole, a very strong mix, and I'd recommend downloading it.
- Toxic Soul on November 18, 2003
Around 1:50 we begin to see our tune building, and at 2:03, the ninja-esque element of the mix comes in. Awesome. I loved this.
There was a bit of a problem with this mix - this is just me being picky, though, the synths for the song sounded very high-quality at points, and then some samples seemed very low quality. If the low quality samples could be replaced with higher quality ones, this mix would be even higher on my list of favourites.
On the whole, I'd give this mix about an 7.5-8.5/10
Very cool, stylish, good beat - a couple of little things I didn't like, parts where the music seemed to go too high into the treble area - but on the whole, a very strong mix, and I'd recommend downloading it.
- Toxic Soul on November 18, 2003
Okay, first off I must reply to djpretel's comment on the song,
"...and this ReMix holds its own with the very best of the other
Last Ninja mixes in existence." First of all, I must commend you
for being first on OCRemix to have a Last Ninja song as it is more
popular than people think. However, for him to say the best in
existence is overexaggeration. Don't believe me? visit http://lastninja.c64.org/ also check out http://www.puffy64.de/
and http://www.acc.umu.se/~amber/LastNinja/. I'm not
putting you down, but I'm just saying. Anyways, for your remix, I
like the sound. The start got me thinking of an intro to a Jackie
Chan movie, which is about right since its got the chinese sound
for this japanese based game. (Ninjas are japanese, not chinese, a
common misconseption of Ignorant Americans and Europeans, though
now not a common problem.) The music is Groovin', though I would
have expected [u]either[/u] a solo, or a little more variation to
the rhythm. Its just a basic remix style, more like an upgrade from
C64 standand. If you were to remix another, I would say give us the
Last Ninja on PS2 or X-Box feel. Just my opinion.
I Rate This Remix : 7/10 C+
- Jonathon Striker on November 17, 2003
I Rate This Remix : 7/10 C+
- Jonathon Striker on November 17, 2003
Incredible remix. Awesome ninja vibe. Unbelieveable tunes and
sounds. This is SWEEEEET!
A real C64 feeling with absolutely perfect arranging and melodies and everything. There´s not much to say about this remix because it´s so sweet! One of the best remixes on the site definetly. I spent last night just listening to this song over and over again.. and it keeps getting better!
In the scale of one to ten this is eleven.
So I´ll give it 5/5
:)
NINJA!
- EvilHorde on November 17, 2003
A real C64 feeling with absolutely perfect arranging and melodies and everything. There´s not much to say about this remix because it´s so sweet! One of the best remixes on the site definetly. I spent last night just listening to this song over and over again.. and it keeps getting better!
In the scale of one to ten this is eleven.
So I´ll give it 5/5
:)
NINJA!
- EvilHorde on November 17, 2003
Finally, another C64 remix that sounds very strong. It is not only
SID synth and oriental sounding, but somehow also groovy with some
very cool soundeffects. To me, this is a very pleasing remix that
is very nice to listen to. Great stuff for all of the Last Ninja
lovers out there.
Bring on some more C64 vibes!! :D
- Thornado on November 16, 2003
Bring on some more C64 vibes!! :D
- Thornado on November 16, 2003
