Posted 2003-12-21, evaluated by the judges panel


With this ReMix, I think we can finally say conclusively that the Ice Caps theme from Sonic 3 has become as ubiquitous and regularly mixed as Schala or Terra, if there were any doubts. Courtesy of Marco from Portugal, alias SkyHigh, this mix is a bit different since it's distinctly in a downbeat/chill style with elements of ambient. Israfel writes:

"Somewhat of a genre bender here - almost like a trance structure as seen through an ambient/new age lens. The end result is lush and a bit subdued...which is a great combo for an effective chill track."
There's little details like finger-snaps, synth effects, low-key filter sweeps, an overall unique percussive vibe with strong variation, and the lead melody is carried by a high-quality acoustic guitar with a good bit of delay on it. Repetition was the only thing judges noted as being problematic, and even then it's more an aspect of the chosen genre. At around four minutes, I don't think Marco's squandered his time, and there are certainly distinct segments and breaks here, even if some portions are recycled. At any rate, if you pull one too many change-ups in a chill-out piece, it makes the chilling out tougher, right? While there was still probably room for an interpretive solo or one other layered instrument for counter-melody/harmony in the second half, this is a different take on a well-covered theme that's enjoyable and distinct. And, as Malcos writes, "There's a sexiness to this as well, amplified with the finger clicks" - so, perhaps it could be used for purposes other than chilling out, who knows :) Good, solid work from newcomer SkyHigh.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Black_Doom
on 2014-12-31 08:03:42

Every take on ICZ is so unique. Here, the groove and energy of original were reduced, so now it sounds like something from RPG - slow, ambient, and very chillin'. And while it sounds kinda repetitive as OA mentioned, I still like this. Nice.

avatar
Marmiduke
on 2013-08-05 04:10:13

Some tops atmosphere and a pretty cool trip-hop rendition of the main melody won me over in the end. There's a lot to enjoy about this mix, even though it does have its fair share of problems.

True to being trip-hop inspired, its a lengthy and repetitive exercise, which probably wasn't necessary in order to achieve what the mixer was going for. A lot of the mix seems like space-filling; its a shame that space wasn't filled with some fresher interpretation.

The guitar sample is bleedingly obvious in its artificiality, but despite the fact that a better sample/recorded performance would improve the technical sound, the dated sample adds a certain texture its own, so I'm not as flustered about listening to it as I thought I would be.

In all, not a bad effort and a refreshing approach to IceCap.

avatar
urdailywater
on 2013-02-25 18:06:32

Very relaxing song with a sweet soundscape as OA mentioned. The repetition doesn't bother me as much, though, because it actually makes this easier to relax to IMO. I remember many times putting this song on repeat and falling asleep to it in the middle of the night - it's great for that kind of stuff!

The guitar is probably my favorite part. It melds very well with the other instruments. I do also like how the song never feels like it gets to busy, which is good. It just kind of takes you on a relaxing ride.

Nice job!

avatar
Kylethedarkn
on 2010-12-25 20:55:12

I don't know why, but the samples in this song are giving me a hotstepperish vibe. I'm wondering if SkyHigh actually used some samples from it. That would raise the people who have used hotstepper from 10 to 11. XD

avatar
OA
on 2008-03-19 15:00:39

Decent soundscape, but very repetitive. after the first minute and a half you've heard the whole song.

I do like ice cap though.

avatar
IcePak
on 2007-04-30 06:46:33
I don't know if i'm alowed to say this here, but here goes :o)

A few weeks ago I made an extended remix of my Snow Motion remix (from 4:08 to 5:35), adding more stuff, like new effects, new melody sequences, a piano melody of my own and some subtile, yet very present, improvements with strong Enigma influences. Since I have the original one in this outstanding site ;o) I think i won't sent it here 'cause you would have two similar remixes, but if you liked this one and want to hear an improved version, you may download it from SoulSeek, my user name is SkyHigh (case sensitive). You just browse my files and look for Sonic the Hedgehog Remixes folder :o)

Thanks! :o) See ya all!

I used to have this extended remix and it was awesome. It captured the essence of the original tune but gave it a new life of it's own.

Unfortunately I've since lost it. I've tried searching for it where you mentioned but my search has come up empty. Do you have this extended remix anywhere else? Or can someone else hook me up with it? I would greatly appreciate it because I loved that extended remix.

avatar
Nineko
on 2006-12-19 12:11:26

Listening to a slow version of Ice Cap is something that you don't expect.

I don't like this remix very much, I think it's repetitive, but it deserves a listen anyway to respect the effort put in this by the remixer.

avatar
SkyHigh
on 2005-01-16 08:09:35

I don't know if i'm alowed to say this here, but here goes :o)

A few weeks ago I made an extended remix of my Snow Motion remix (from 4:08 to 5:35), adding more stuff, like new effects, new melody sequences, a piano melody of my own and some subtile, yet very present, improvements with strong Enigma influences. Since I have the original one in this outstanding site ;o) I think i won't sent it here 'cause you would have two similar remixes, but if you liked this one and want to hear an improved version, you may download it from SoulSeek, my user name is SkyHigh (case sensitive). You just browse my files and look for Sonic the Hedgehog Remixes folder :o)

Thanks! :o) See ya all!

avatar
Big A
on 2005-01-14 22:34:09
What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

It was cool. :D

avatar
Ramiro
on 2004-12-03 16:00:38

8O I'm very new to this site but after I heard this it got me listing to more of what this DJ got to offer. This song really makes you space out and it just rocks.

Why did you have to slow down such a great fast song? *sniffle* Make a remix with keeping it speed and I will be happy.

Otherwise,

7/10

the hell do you know about music!?
avatar
Nobbynob Littlun
on 2004-01-12 22:08:10

Good vibes. Only two suggestions, one probably easier than the other if I guess: The snare drum and the acoustic guitar both sound sequencer-esque, though their quality is obviously good. Obviously getting someone to whip out a live guitar would be nice; as for the snare, some variation in the volume, pan, pitch, and especially attack would do wonders! ^^ In any case, very groovy.

avatar
DoomZero
on 2004-01-07 19:38:53

Why did you have to slow down such a great fast song? *sniffle* Make a remix with keeping it speed and I will be happy.

Otherwise,

7/10

avatar
*Drasiir
on 2003-12-22 17:40:13

Neat interpretation of a cool song. Kudos for taking things in an interesting direction. :nicework:

avatar
Shhteve
on 2003-12-22 16:32:41

I say this because I know I am biased towards ambient/new age sound, I think this track should have leaned more towards it. The repetitiveness could have been avoided with that idea, right? But overall I liked this one. The acoustic guitar is really clean sounding. :o

avatar
Kadosho
on 2003-12-22 12:09:53

This rendition of the Snow stage reminds me of the Phendrana area from Metroid Prime. (a liberate dark mix with the area's effects surrounding you) If there was another 3d Sonic ice stage this song would fit perfectly.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega , 1994, GEN)
Music by Bobby Brooks,Brad Buxer,C. Cirocco Jones,Darryl Ross,Doug Grigsby III,Geoff Grace,Jun Senoue,Michael Jackson,Tatsuyuki Maeda,Tomonori Sawada
Songs:
"Ice Cap Zone: Act 1"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Mood:
Chill,Mellow
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Synth
Additional:
Origin > Resubmission
Time > Tempo: Slow
Usage > Winter Holiday

File Information


Name:
Sonic_the_Hedgehog_3_Snow_Motion_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,070,001 bytes
MD5:
4095315feb09a3ee49c4f27892afe123
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
4:09

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes