ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 'Hyrule Party Mix'

downloadDownload MP3
5,797,824 bytes, 4:48, 159kbps
Stream/preview on YouTubePlay Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Here's something else to be thankful for: it's been three years since NoppZ submitted anything, but he's back in style, and he's only gotten better with the time he's spent working on largely hip-hop projects. You can hear that influence come through on this great Zelda 64 ReMix a bit, though there's also a distinct jazz inflection to round out the overall house/dance motif. What I love most about this piece is how Filip has taken these themes and altered them significantly, both melodically and rhythmically, so that they flow into one another as sections of a single song, rather than a medley. This is exactly what I've tried to do on more than a couple mixes of my own, including Pachelbel, which covers one of the same themes, as I prefer the higher level of integration over a more traditional medley approach. So yeah, I'm a bit biased towards this methodology, perhaps, but I think even those with a more purist mindset will be able to readily identify the songs Mr. Thimren's repurposed. BGC wrote:

"I'm really digging this. I really love it when a remix totally catches you off guard with it's fresh and innovative style, and this mix does just that. And by fresh and innovative, I mean to that particular OST. I really didn't have a problem hearing the source, even before reading Larry's breakdown. It's there. This isn't typical stuff you'd expect to hear from any LoZ game, but it's really great regardless. This may not be Brian Transeau, but it's funkaliscious and it's got me tapping my feet and what not."

I personally think it's damn fun, but at the same time rather crafty in the rhythmic inversions and melodic transmogrifications it pulls off; zircon didn't have any issues with the late-breaking key change, but I have to say that that'd be my biggest beef. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but I can't emphasize enough how dangerous I think key changes of this nature are, how many times they've made otherwise respectable pop songs somewhat embarrassing, etc., and I wouldn't count this as a sterling exception. Regardless, it's towards the end, after the magic's already been cast, and things fade away soon after. In spite of a potentially problematic ending, this mix marks a fantastic return to form and function by NoppZ, who was a major ReMixing force-to-be-reckoned-with in 2002 and early 2003, and who ably proves he still cuts the mustard, and has only gotten better in the interim. Here's hoping there's more where this came from - enjoy.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
The heavy bass snare bass-bass snare is just like Feel Good, Inc. Not a very fun beat to actually play, but sounds great in songs like this!

- Super_Sonic_Maniac on April 20, 2011
So I played the preview of this one to refresh my memory for this post, and couldn't bring my self to cut the song short. I just sat here and listened to it. :)

Really well done. My room feels way more open and full of wind when this song plays. The Derrit was totally accurate in saying that a non gaming person who had never heard the source, would really enjoy this piece.

Wonderful work. :)

- Skinner3D on February 17, 2011
Ah. I had to listen to it a second time to hear it properly. The sounds may take a bit for the ear to get used to, so if you hated it at first like I did...well you know.
Anyway, it's a nice contemporary piece. I respect that it doesn't have to rely on anything unfamiliar to be unpredictable, yet it's still catchy and even in mood.

- TheCorty on October 1, 2010
Wow, this is inspiring stuff. I wish the beat wasn't as static, but everything else about this mix was a big woah moment for me. O_o
I'll definitely be studying this one, really pro work.

- OA on January 22, 2010
This is a style I wouldn't have expected to like, but you pulled me right in. I love how you played with the various rhythms but kept it smooth the whole time. And I have to mention the key change at the end. So often key changes feel forced, but this fit perfectly into the piece as a whole. I could listen to this on repeat for a long time.

- meboeck on August 12, 2009
I hadn't listened to this one much until I stumbled over it today. Wow. I've really been enjoying it. It's peppy, happy, and unexpected. I like it a lot.

- Calebyte on July 17, 2009
sweet and simple.. i've always liked this one :-P
where did you go? :|

- Platonist on March 8, 2009
Reminds me of porno, but in a good way :-D.

- Mr Azar on January 7, 2009
After listening to this more and more over the past few months, I now think this is one of the best arrangements on the site. The way each of the source tunes is tied together is absolutely brilliant, and something I probably could never imagine working until I heard. Seriously, nice work.

- PassivePretentiousness on June 17, 2007
I think the reason i like this mix so much is that on two different levels it delivers. For one, its a straight up good song, and even without the references to zelda it makes for a great tune. Then, with the zelda riffs, it gets even better because you're enjoying how awesome of a OCmix this is. Its the kind of song you could play to a non gaming friend and they'd like it anyways, unlike some of the stuff here which is more gamers-only. Great stuff!

- The Derrit on March 18, 2007
That tis some great beats and whatnot u got going on there. Lol as dorky as it sounds, I'd play it in my car, bass amplified. Hell I do that with alot of my OC songs. Amazing how many ppl turn to look at me; some in awe, others in vanity.
Anyways, Great job, musta taken a while to make eh.

- HoboKa on January 12, 2007
Tip top Noppz :) Keep up the great work

- adam2 on January 10, 2007
I think I nearly cried when I heard this. Excellent.

- nitroXpress on December 25, 2006
Mad props for Noppz for creating such an exotic blend of aroma..
Truly wonderful. And the key change is real dynamite for the fade out. No probs there.

- xtp183 on December 20, 2006
At first, I thought that this song could use more variation. But now, I think it's just perfect. The repetition of the guitar chord makes the song very catchy; it's stays in my head the whole day.
The piano part is wonderful, too. Makes me want to chill to Ridge Racer Type 4 again. Digging the drums from 2:38 on, too.
After Knuckleduster, this is the second incredibly catchy tune to come to OCR in a short time. Wonderful song.

- Martin Penwald on December 17, 2006