ReMix: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 'Forest Birdcussion'

download Download MP3
6,268,715 bytes, 6:27, 130kbps
Stream/preview on YouTube Play Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com

Protricity kicks it back a bit. Though still in keeping with his apparent predilection towards ReMixing DKC2 tracks, this latest submission is a bit more mellow than his usual work, with a very floaty, peaceful, pastorale vibe going on, complete with rhythmic bird sounds. Drums are of the swing, light hip-hop or smooth jazz fare, and there's a lot of breaks and fills that give things a light, extremely laid back feel. There's quite a bit of piano, but initially the synth lead sounds very close to a clarinet in tone, save for the fashion in which it pitch bends. More "analog" synth and a defined, heavier drum beat and basslne come in about halfway through, adding some momentum and a much heavier downbeat. The last minute or so features the running percussion dropping out entirely, some intermittent hits, and an excellent opportunity to appreciate the shimmering reverb and overall attention paid to where each element sits in the mix and how each is panned/cross-panned. In general this is very ethereal work, evoking the context of new age without actually being new age - sort of a musical oasis formed from electronica and light jazz. It certainly represents movement into new territory for Ari, and in that sense is amazingly successful at going new places but sounding like it was put together by someone's that's been there before and knows the landscape well. At well over six minutes, I was waiting for things to loop in a fashion I found too repetitive or uninteresting, yet while it's not the type of mix that keeps one on the edge of one's seat, it manages to be light, floaty, and otherwordly while also having substance and direction. Plus, it had birdcussion - no false advertising in the mix title here. Had it professed to include birdcussion and had nothing of the sort, I'd have to have labeled it a complete swindle, but fortunately this was not the case. Great extended chill mix, with a timely seasonal "Spring" feel to it. Recommended

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Great job on this mix! I like the way its laid back, but at the same time hasn't lost the haunting quality of the source.

- Mikeaira on December 25, 2011
This is a nice mellow track, one that I've always loved. Also love the usage of "birdcussion". XD

- Mirby on December 25, 2011
This is actually probably one of my favorite tracks on the site. It's sort of a redux of the original, which is hard to pull off when you're doing a David Wise piece. Very relaxing, very chill. I enjoy it thoroughly :nicework:

- RDX on December 7, 2011
You know what...strike that last comment I made. It is annoyingly good in the best way haha. I listened a second time and now I have to download it. It's very chill and can actually somewhat be romantic. It'll clear your head and calm you down and get you motivated all at the same time. So scratch the last comment. I typed too soon. smh.:tomatoface:

- Codamadius on December 4, 2011
This is...idk man. Annoyingly good? It's like a mix of a bad song and Kingdom Hearts to me...which is the good part xD I like the birds in the background and yeah it definitely has that spring feel. Not really sure what to say though...uh...good job? Bad job? It's a mix of in between for me.

- Codamadius on December 4, 2011
I agree with several people who have posted already on this song. You can't not listen to it. You also can't stop listening to it, or fail to take notice of it when it does play :D

The first time I listened to the song the pauses in the melody nearly drove me crazy, but then I couldn't stop repushing the play button on the song again and again. :D

Awesome work. Pure and simple. :)

- Skinner3D on January 4, 2011
Pretty good, I like the massive percussive reverb near the end. It's very relaxing. 8-)

- OA on August 26, 2010
Monobrow;518091 wrote: Who is... Jesus?


Carpenter-looking dude who died for people's sins (supposedly). :-P Anywho, I love this mix for it's simpleness and the main event, Birdcussion! This was the first mix I added when I got here and it's so peaceful and relaxing. Good switch of gears, Prot!

- Crulex on February 6, 2010
I love how you mixed in the sound effects of the ghostly ropes at the beginning of the Track. You can barely hear them, but they're there.
Awesome interpretation, thank you for this masterpiece.

- Fimbul on January 13, 2010
What can I say? This is my favorite rendition of my favorite video game song ever... it's soooo chill, which stays in line with the original feel of the source, but expands on it in a number of ways with a beautiful piano accompaniment, nice synth choices, and of course... BIRDCUSSION!
Seriously, I could rave on and on about this song til I pass out from exhaustion, but instead I'll save you all the trouble and just say it right out - GET THIS SONG! Tunes like this are why I'm such a Protricity fanboy! :-P

- Emunator on December 19, 2009
Who is... Jesus?

- Monobrow on March 14, 2009
I don't want to promote tall-poppyism, but Protricity is the Jesus Christ of videogame mixes. In my opinion of course. He's had his crucifixion, his resurrection in recent years, and most importantly, some truly divine DKC2 mixes. In fact, if Jesus had played Diddy's Kong Quest, I'm not even sure he would have been able to make better mixes than Ari.
Anyway, enough of the comparisons to the Son of God, I'm sure I'm offending a throng of people. Simply, this mix is a gift. It's the highest level of quality. The perfect remix. Of course, it could be because of a bias I have towards my love of DKC2, but I think it trancends that. It's scary good.
By the way, I'm an advocate of the birdcussion. I can't really explain why, but it's one of the most effective, well pulled off musical gimmicks I've ever heard. Freaking hell, I love this mix. And thus, it would be unhealthy for me to continue on like this...

- Marmiduke on March 13, 2009
Damn, this is one laid back, sexy song. Oh god, i can't beleive i just said that, hahaha:tomatoface:
But seriously, it's a beautiful piece done by Proticity here. Clever using the 'bircussion' through the entire track

- Sir_Downunder on February 10, 2009
All of your mixes of DKC2 stay true to the spirit of the source tune while upping them a few notches. This one has amazing rhythm

- a_d on December 8, 2008
This song makes me want to talk a walk in the park and listen to some birdies.
Seriously, this mix was very well put-together, very floaty, dreamy. Nice beats...nice birds...sorry, didn't mean to get all NWG here. Anyway, this one is among my top-faves.

- MechaFone on April 17, 2008