ReMix: Super Mario World 'Ghost'
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- Game: Super Mario World (Nintendo, 1990, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Nixdorux
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Sub Castle BGM'
- Posted: 2004-10-31, evaluated by the judges
Perfect for Halloween, Nixdorux's take on the SMW castle theme is an interesting blend of minimal electronica with 'maximal' orchestral, layering an intelligent, emotive symphonic presence over a very simple thud kick and synth bass. The ReMixer writes, in preserved bilingual fashion (appropriate since I just got back from Montreal):
"Hello ! C'est une sorte de remix lectro/orchestral... J'écoute très peu de musique electro et ca doit surement s'entendre au travers de ce remix Smile Cela dit, j'avais vraiment envie d'essayer ce mariage entre percussions electro (plutôt minimalistes ici) et arrangement orchestral...
Hello! It is a kind of remix electro/orchestral... I listen to very little music electro and this must surely get along through this remix:) However, I wanted really to test this marriage between percussions magnet (rather minimalists here) and orchestral arrangement... "
The kick is very exposed, almost like it's saying "yes, I'm a dance kick drum, sitting in the middle of an orchestral arrangement - you got a problem with that?"... or something to that effect. I love the types of risks Nicolas takes as a ReMixer, and the sheer creativity combined with technique that's required to pull off his ideas as well as he does. Sub-par samples would ruin some of the transitions and arrangement decisions (french horn rips, for example) he makes here, and it takes some know-how to segue at 2'54" from dance-orchestral to more resigned but still tense, swing-time jazz-orchestral without things becoming massively trainwreck very quickly. Nixdorux pulls it off, though, and delivers a mix that very thoroughly explores Kondo's theme, from multiple angles, with equal parts ability and originality. Most of the judges had significant issues with the kick drum, and I can see why; on first listen and even subsequent listens, if you were going to single one element out as being... suspect... the kick would be it. It doesn't bother me as much, I suppose, because while it sounds a bit odd, it always sounds intentionally so, and the mix would have been different with slicker, more elaborate percussion; drums aren't the focus here, that's clear, but I think the ReMixer still wanted a four-to-the-floor feel, just without the overhead. Your mileage may vary, but I definitely think you'll dig everything besides the kick enough for it not to matter, as did the panel. Great spooky wind + dogs barking intro vibe to boot. Good, seasonal, unorthodox stuff from Nicolas.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I think there is a slight disconnect between the bass and kick and
the orchestra, but I really like the feel of this, and both
elements sound good on their own; they just need a little more
glue. I personally would have rocked out a gated synth, but that's
pretty much my solution to everything...
The piano break was excellent, and I liked how it picked up at the end.
Overall not perfect, but it's really, really good. Nice work. :-)
- OA on June 1, 2010
The piano break was excellent, and I liked how it picked up at the end.
Overall not perfect, but it's really, really good. Nice work. :-)
- OA on June 1, 2010
Love the awesome thump-thumping beat. This woulda so psyched me to
face Bowser or his kin (or run through a Vanilla Ghost House)!
- WesternZypher on December 17, 2008
- WesternZypher on December 17, 2008
This remix overall is really solid, and mirrors what I expect real
music to be like: Nonrepetitive, with distinct themes that interact
and merge into a collage.
Definately my favorite song out of this giant genre.
- taifunbrowser on August 25, 2008
Definately my favorite song out of this giant genre.
- taifunbrowser on August 25, 2008
I love this song, one of my favourite OCRemixes, and a song I
regularly play amongst my normal music. Heh it doesn't look like
this song's short on reviews but I'll give my thoughts:
Nice start with the barking dog and violin, sets the atmosphere well. The way the violin fades into the intro is brilliant.
Now I'm a big fan of dance music, even more so when it's mixed with classical/orchestral pieces, so I love the kick. Absolutely no complaints from me. Nice bass and the fast playing violin makes for a great intro.
One personal niggle for me that can make or break a song is the way the notes and/or chords progress. If it feels 'wrong' to me, it can ruin a song. Fortunately you got it spot on, with the way the violins climb and then the trumpets(?) join in, it works brilliantly and one of the best parts of the song.
Now this'll be a personal thing, but I'm not really fan of the piano solo in the middle. Any other song would suit it, and I love piano solos any other time (I'm a big fan of Ludovico Einaudi - check it out kids), but it just seems to ruin the pace of the song. However, I do like the way it climbs back into the faster speed and 'normal' part of the song.
Nice ending, no complaints here.
Overall it's an excellent song, like I said I'm a big fan of dance and classical/orchestral pieces, and when the two are mixed you something really special (Barber's Adagio: greatest song ever). I took an instant liking to this song and make a point to show it people when I can.
Brilliant work, I eagerly await your next efforts.
- Colonel_Vector on December 8, 2007
Nice start with the barking dog and violin, sets the atmosphere well. The way the violin fades into the intro is brilliant.
Now I'm a big fan of dance music, even more so when it's mixed with classical/orchestral pieces, so I love the kick. Absolutely no complaints from me. Nice bass and the fast playing violin makes for a great intro.
One personal niggle for me that can make or break a song is the way the notes and/or chords progress. If it feels 'wrong' to me, it can ruin a song. Fortunately you got it spot on, with the way the violins climb and then the trumpets(?) join in, it works brilliantly and one of the best parts of the song.
Now this'll be a personal thing, but I'm not really fan of the piano solo in the middle. Any other song would suit it, and I love piano solos any other time (I'm a big fan of Ludovico Einaudi - check it out kids), but it just seems to ruin the pace of the song. However, I do like the way it climbs back into the faster speed and 'normal' part of the song.
Nice ending, no complaints here.
Overall it's an excellent song, like I said I'm a big fan of dance and classical/orchestral pieces, and when the two are mixed you something really special (Barber's Adagio: greatest song ever). I took an instant liking to this song and make a point to show it people when I can.
Brilliant work, I eagerly await your next efforts.
- Colonel_Vector on December 8, 2007
jordex wrote: 1:40, melody finally comes in, its kickass
4:22 I love it!
then the ghost tune comes in again at 4:37. the ghost tune is the best part, it should repeat a few more times before the end
This song has a nice drum and bass combination, especially when it starts at 1:40. It really fits in the melody. The only thing that 'bothers' me is that when the time that both drum and bass comes (at 1:40 and 4:37), it isn't the whole melody, which [b]IS[/b] at 2:10. With 'whole melody' I mean that Nixdorux did something else than the original melody (starting at 1:46). It's too bad.
At 4:37 is the best part, I agree on that, with the Hi-hat(?) add. But I would prefer if the whole melody was mixed in there (and not at 2:10). I'm not saying it's bad that Nixdorux did something else there, I guess I should call Nixdorux original in those parts. :wink:
Nonetheless, great remix. I like it. 8,5/10
- Mekanos on July 15, 2006
Great_Deku wrote: Besides, without the kick, this would just be another Ghosts of the Marble Hall. Honestly, if you want a good orchestral work then listen to that one, but I personally think this one is better :)
I absolutely agree. I can understand why so many people are complaining about the kick but I think it fits just fine.
The beginning is nice, dogs barking set just the right mood.
The middle part is THE KILLER. Awesome. Gotta love those violins. It's perfectly how the original one should've sounded. I think the composers had exactly something like that in mind.
The slow piano part is very fitting. The whole ending is good overall.
So what else can I say... This is definetly one of my fav remixes. Give us more of these!
- isthan on June 20, 2006
It's a masterpiece. I actually thought the kicks were going to take
the mix into the techno/trance route. Welps, it had me fooled. But
I still like it.
- shenroc on February 22, 2006
- shenroc on February 22, 2006
This is probably my favorite song. Ever. I absolutely love
it!!!
I honestly don't understand why everyone seems to hate the kick. No, it doesn't fit with what we know of orchestral music, but it is still awesome. I love hearing people mix different sounds and instruments with orchestral work, and I think that it really worked well in this song. In fact, I love the kick so much that I want more of it. MORE KICK!!! It actually made me want to buy a bigger subwoofer for my car.
Besides, without the kick, this would just be another Ghosts of the Marble Hall. Honestly, if you want a good orchestral work then listen to that one, but I personally think this one is better :)
Awesome song Nixdorux!
- G_D on November 18, 2005
I honestly don't understand why everyone seems to hate the kick. No, it doesn't fit with what we know of orchestral music, but it is still awesome. I love hearing people mix different sounds and instruments with orchestral work, and I think that it really worked well in this song. In fact, I love the kick so much that I want more of it. MORE KICK!!! It actually made me want to buy a bigger subwoofer for my car.
Besides, without the kick, this would just be another Ghosts of the Marble Hall. Honestly, if you want a good orchestral work then listen to that one, but I personally think this one is better :)
Awesome song Nixdorux!
- G_D on November 18, 2005
er, well. I think its useless to talk about the kick anymore, is
it? Come on, the orchestral part is great!
- Selios on October 3, 2005
- Selios on October 3, 2005
Personally, this is my favorite remix of all time. The kick adds a
certain feel to it that I can't shake, and I love how everything
blends so seamlessly together.
The piano break in the middle is perfectly placed and fits the whole arrangement, and the power leading up to the soft ending is brilliant.
In other words, this remix wins all over the floor. Eighteen thousand times.
- Jeebus McChrist on August 21, 2005
The piano break in the middle is perfectly placed and fits the whole arrangement, and the power leading up to the soft ending is brilliant.
In other words, this remix wins all over the floor. Eighteen thousand times.
- Jeebus McChrist on August 21, 2005
I loved the piano breakdown about half through. Does anybody
remember Rabbit in the Moon? It felt like a very Rabbit moment.
Quality.
I would have liked a little more playing with percussion, as I feel that horn-driven orchestral stuff goes very well with electronic percussion, but we've all been spoiled in recent years by Juno Reactor's work on the Matrix, and so on. Just the same, I think a few busier breakbeats here and there would have made this already-compelling piece even better.
- Spazdor on July 26, 2005
I would have liked a little more playing with percussion, as I feel that horn-driven orchestral stuff goes very well with electronic percussion, but we've all been spoiled in recent years by Juno Reactor's work on the Matrix, and so on. Just the same, I think a few busier breakbeats here and there would have made this already-compelling piece even better.
- Spazdor on July 26, 2005
As I write this review this song is running through my
playlist.
I am most pleased. It brings the technoy sythesized bass I miss so much from other remixes and it pushes it with the building suspense of violins.
And we all know violins are the sexiest instruments alive.
The pulse beat does get a bit repetitive though. If it was brought along with the melody and not just sped up that would have been better but I do not wish to bash this remix. It clearly is a vamp of an old video game standby. Hell I still see myself whistling that tune now and then -Did it about an hour ago before I even checked the forums lol.-
Then in 2:38 remaining it goes to slow beat Piano. A nice turn which brings the somber buildup of "Ghost" that shows originality and not just "Another remix of SMW" This is what makes it stand out folks.
And I stuck to this review, because it's 6 A.M. And I wrote it just now without any sleep.
w00t to summer sleep schedules.
- Niccon on June 7, 2005
I am most pleased. It brings the technoy sythesized bass I miss so much from other remixes and it pushes it with the building suspense of violins.
And we all know violins are the sexiest instruments alive.
The pulse beat does get a bit repetitive though. If it was brought along with the melody and not just sped up that would have been better but I do not wish to bash this remix. It clearly is a vamp of an old video game standby. Hell I still see myself whistling that tune now and then -Did it about an hour ago before I even checked the forums lol.-
Then in 2:38 remaining it goes to slow beat Piano. A nice turn which brings the somber buildup of "Ghost" that shows originality and not just "Another remix of SMW" This is what makes it stand out folks.
And I stuck to this review, because it's 6 A.M. And I wrote it just now without any sleep.
w00t to summer sleep schedules.
- Niccon on June 7, 2005
This ReMix RuLes. Not much more to say than that. If you've played
the game, download it ASAP. You'll thank me later.
- Cooler1011 on June 6, 2005
- Cooler1011 on June 6, 2005
at first, i really, [b]really [/b]hated the kick, but as i listen
to the song more, i kind of like it (though i will definitely never
love it). The best part is definitely the small string part when
the fast part comes back. Not quite as good as Psychrophyte's
version of the Ghost theme, but great job!
- DarkLink117 on March 4, 2005
- DarkLink117 on March 4, 2005
