ReMix: Kingdom Hearts 'New Beginnings'
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- Game: Kingdom Hearts (Square, 2002, PS2)
- ReMixer(s): Blue Magic
- Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
- Song(s): 'Deep Jungle'
- Posted: 2005-03-07, evaluated by the judges
Third time's the charm for Damon Campbell, alias Blue Magic, whose tertiary submission in recent history is the first to be posted. The ReMixer writes:
"It is a remix of the "Deep Jungle" track from Kingdom Hearts. It's kind of a jazzy/ambient(ish) mix. I was experimenting with the drum pattern and I thought it turned out pretty nice."
A mellow latin percussion vibe intros, with a gradual crescendo on the acoustic guitar (sounds like a twelve-string or steel, not straight nylon) pattern that buttresses most of the track. Solo flute with a distinct vibrato that sits in the alto range covers the melody as ensemble strings, piano, and even ensemble brass build up around the basic motif. There's excellent drum work around the second minute, when a rim shot comes in with something that's about as close as a rim shot can come to having a solo - excellent syncopation and one of those details not everyone would even consider in the course of constructing a mix. Quoth Shariq:
"Sounded a bit similar to the original when I first heard it, but I went back and I listened to the original again, and I can see the variation. Lots of nice percussive work here; subtle and dynamic. It really accentuates the piece. Piano is nice, even though it's not there much. This is really chill."
Gray also gave props, specifically to the instrumentation:
"Instrumental selection is wonderful. Great use of strings, panflute and flute, guitarlike stringed instrument, nature fx to create an enchanting atmosphere. The range of percussive instruments is also handled very nicely. The rock kit, ethnic hand drums accentuate the piece perfectly."
"Enchanting" seems like the perfect word to me to describe this mix, which has a folksy, human feel to it, dashed with a bit of island exotica. Sample quality was an issue for some, but for me the only eyebrow-raisers were perhaps the ensemble string and brass patches, which are always sorta hit or miss. Here they're used very selectively and very effectively, and most of the time blend enough to cause no umbrage. Drums are the highlight though, and do much via their layered, ornate wholesomeness to counter aspects of production - the somewhat mono nature of the underlying acoustic guitar, for example - that aren't as compelling. Great instrumentation choices, though, and a good sense of development. Involved and yes, enchanting stuff from Blue Magic, who's got a good ear for an interesting percussion track, amongst other talents. Looking forward to whatever's next.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the The slower tempo makes for a more contemplative feeling which I like. I would have liked more dynamic variation overall; there wasn’t much change going on. Especially around 3:15 or so when the flute goes into the second part of the source. A crescendo into that would have been nice.
Good work, not my favorite source, but still an enjoyable listen, and a good change from the original.
- DragonAvenger on February 1, 2009
- Ryu2Wolf on January 6, 2009
- MechaFone on November 19, 2008
The brass punctuation and a lot of the syncopated hits were well used, and added some nice contrast and power.
I always thought most of the Kingdom Hearts music was well executed but overly vanilla, so something like this that throws on some chocolate sauce and whipped cream is definitely welcome. :-)
Nice work Blue Magic. :-)
- OA on April 4, 2008
- lady zelda on April 9, 2006
- Xx~~Zangetsu~~xX on February 2, 2006
- DCAlexis on October 5, 2005
- Bummerdude on September 22, 2005
I am surprised.
I was wondering what you could possibly do with the music of this piece.
Good work:D
- Princess_Of_Memories on August 16, 2005
- Lockblade on June 28, 2005
Keep on the good work
BTW: I love this site
- Zodd on March 12, 2005
Adorable.
- DreamOfTheRood on March 10, 2005
I can't find any technical errors in the piece (I wouldn't know, I haven't tried to remix anything), and I absolutely adore your takes on both 'Deep Jungle' and 'Kairi' (excellent choice, throwing that in). I look forward to more. There'll be more.. right? :]
- Zidane on March 10, 2005
It was slow and relaxing, which I liked. The background melody is nice, too. Also, is that Kairi's Theme at about 3:12? If so, nice surprise!
- Average Joe on March 9, 2005
Oh well. Basically I said excellent job. You were able to take a piece I didn't like and make me enjoy it on the very first listen. I don't think I had any suggestions, I really enjoyed it. Next time I play Kingdom Hearts, I'll turn off the sound in the jungle and turn on your tunes instead.
Zipp
- Zipp on March 8, 2005
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