ReMix:Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo "Homage to Amida Buddha" 4:22

By Evil Horde

Arranging the music of one song...

"Opening"

Primary Game: Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo (Firebird Software , 1988, C64), music by Neil Brennan

Posted 2004-01-28, evaluated by djpretzel


I love this ReMix. Evil Horde, who actually has a mix from all the way back in 2000 and previously gave us some memorable Mega Man mixes, submits this mix from the Commodore 64 game Usagi Yojimbo, based off the rabbit samurai of the same name. The mix title indicates an homage, and that's probably accurate in more ways than one; for me, this ReMix reminds me of some of the better ReMixes from OCR in the early days - it's good in the same way certain mixes from way back were - not overly polished but definitely on the level, creative, nostalgic, and fun. Well, we still see a lot of that today, actually, but for some reason this makes me think of some of the better older ReMixes. With a Kill Bill-style homage to martial arts music, there's a brief orchestral intro, then in drops a lo-fi drum beat that's a bit faster than the original, with nice strummed koto or whatzzit, a little flute pattern, and a deep synth bass. Some of the elements here would seem to be intentionally lower quality to evoke the right atmosphere, but there's some nice wah-processed synth and later on a very slick guitar that does some pretty damn groovy soloing. The mix doesn't dramatically change the essential beat or arrangement of those portions of the original it uses, but it cleans up certain instruments, dirties others, and adds just the right new ingredients to extend things into a fuller length and scope - which is great because it's quite a catchy little song. No doubt were it from Mega Man we'd already have a dozen mixes of it :) Honestly, this is great stuff; you owe it to yourself to check it out - when things bust out into the chorus, then follow up with the guitar solo, everything's just working. Well. Great little gem of a mix from a song I'd probably never have heard were it not for Evil Horde. Recommended.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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TillyFun
on 2013-04-25 14:20:21

Very cool. :) Captures well the feel of the game and the character.

Love the change-up at :45, but the entire track is great. ^_^

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WesternZypher
on 2011-01-28 16:35:10

I share djp's opening sentiment - love this mix, fr way back in the day. So Glad EvilHorde came back after four years, and can't wait for him to return this style.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-09-08 03:20:10

Awesome source selection. Perfect little tune to build upon and kick ass with. And kick ass it does.

Love how it establishes itself to begin with and never really betrays the initial momentum, save for a few little much welcomed melody breaks. Everything else is sweet, sweet arranged expansion. The introducion of the guitar work is particularly fine, and the other supporting instruments hold their weight too. But centre stage is that bass; and though it does what bass usually does and just repeats for most of the piece, it's an attention holder. Groovy indeed.

Because the game the source has come from is relatively obscure, this is yet another mix that's going to suffer a long existence of being overlooked. A real shame, seeings as it's a real mover with a great sense of style.

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Dionyseus
on 2009-06-11 15:56:30

Very catchy tune. Kinda sounds like it's in disco style.

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OA
on 2008-06-13 12:57:34

Pretty good source arranged very effectively; I am loving the lofi beats and what sounds to me like a koto or something being played like a mandolin. Very interesting idea, and I think it works very well. I would have preferred the bass to be a deeper house sound, but I think the rest of the instrument choices were pretty good. The guitar tone was nice, and the overall feel gelled pretty well.

Arrangement is pretty similar to the original, but expands on things slightly, so i'm glad this one didn't get snatched up in a lockdown.

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Gezmen
on 2008-02-20 12:08:19

Omg what a pity that I so lately explored this remix of my favorite C64 game's tune. It's a catchy one and still playing over and over in my player. It carries out the soul from beginning till end. Nice job done at 2:17.

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watkinzez
on 2006-10-24 04:32:17

The hell why this doesn't have more comments?

Very happy this didn't get removed a while back. Hot stuff.

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Less Ashamed Of Self
on 2006-10-24 03:31:31

A very missable piece but very very catchy...

there's something totally awesome about this piece I can't quite put my finger on.

Synth staccato flute notes repeating and going up and down in a very unusual pattern... very odd. Very simple. Very groove. Nice.

Recommended.

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Cadmus
on 2004-10-20 02:01:10

sweet bass, mixed with a low hip-hop drum beat...good chill piece from a very lesser known game.

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Goldeneye
on 2004-02-27 18:12:49

I can't get enough of this song. I love how the samples sound so low budget but the song is actually awesome.

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Al Capwn
on 2004-02-27 14:14:09

I don't know why but this reminds me of this 80's song that always comes on at work..anyways i like this good work!

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glassdomino
on 2004-02-21 18:32:07

i LOVed the remix it was played thru the entire movie of battle royale at my house....i wish i could play the game it was dirived from. but in anycase keep up the good work

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Rapyer2986
on 2004-02-21 13:32:51

This remix is fun and sweet! For some reason it reminded me of the ending theme to "Big Trouble In Little China." Real catchy tune. Never played the game, but I was a fan of the character.

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hitokirisabin
on 2004-02-01 14:24:49

I just recently played the game, because I managed to find it in my Commodore 64 box! You did an amazing job capturing the esscence of this game. No matter what kind of criticism you get from other people, including myself, YOU DID AN OUTSTANDING WORK OF ART! :D Kudos!

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Konino
on 2004-01-30 16:46:54

Excelent,simply excelent!

I'don't know the original game,but the mix is one of the best i'd taken from the site!

Well done :D

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo (Firebird Software , 1988, C64)
Music by Neil Brennan
Songs:
"Opening"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Mood:
Funky
Instrumentation:
Electric Guitar,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Samurai_Warrior_Homage_to_Amida_Buddha_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,273,618 bytes
MD5:
aa56c1adbfb3f0a55fab93ec712390f1
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
4:22

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