ReMix: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 'The Delay'
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- Game: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Nintendo, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Blue Magic
- Composer(s): Dave Wise
- Song(s): 'Hot-Head Bop', 'Stickerbrush Symphony'
- Posted: 2007-01-24, evaluated by the judges
Blue Magic, aka Damon Campbell, had a couple really promising mixes back in 2005, then was relatively quiet in 2006. Now he's back, with a mix title that coincidentally describes this temporal schism. Equally ironic is the fact that this mix has been waiting to be posted for a bit. So, without further delay on our part or his, we give you his latest work, an atmospheric, mellow mixdown from DKC2 with equal parts acoustic (emulation) and electronic components. Damon writes:
"Here, I am attempting to combine both the "Stickerbush" and "HotHead Bop" themes, but in order to do that, I had to make quite a few note and key changes to the original melodies. Also, I was also trying to do this mix only from what I could remember from playing the game years ago, so I didn't listen to the originals while making this mix. With that said, I hope none of you are turned off by the fact that it will be a little inaccurate. I really wanted to simulate the feeling of pure amazement that I had when I first played this game and heard its soundtrack, and I'm hoping everyone that hears my little remix will fill the same way."
Incidentally, I've composed a number of my better mixes going off memory, intentionally not referring to the original; I think it's a viable approach, because - as long as your memory is relatively coherent - your mind can end up doing things to the underlying structure and context of what it recalls over time, and often the blurriness of such memories can be more interesting than intentional, focused alterations. It can also be dangerous, for the specific reasons that the ReMixer alludes too - taking too many liberties and drifting too far - but usually if the memory's strong enough to inspire a mix in the first place, it's strong enough to ensure that enough of what's remembered gets through. This one had some turbulence in the panel, primarily over production issues and a lack of direction, but prevailed in the end. There's no salient aspect of the production that I've got substantive beef with, but as far as direction goes, I could have used a stronger melodic presence earlier in the arrangement - the last couple minutes get high marks on this, but the first two don't have as much leadership. Nevertheless, while an extra minute on the end or one less on the beginning might have balanced things out a bit more, the mix is solid, something you can sink your head into, and does a great job of merging the two themes involved. Shariq writes:
"Reminds me a lot of the Metroid Prime soundtracks, though with more focus on melody. I really like the texutre here, and I think that your sounds are working really well together. Acoustic sounds and synth sounds have a nice synergy."
Ditto on the MP likeness; anyone diggin' that stuffs should be diggin' this stuffs, anyone not diggin' that stuffs probably should be, and even if you didn't understand anything I just colloquialized, check it out anyways; good to see Mr. Magic back.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This is a very slowly-evolving piece, but there is a lot going on to keep it interesting at all times, though I think a few sections could have been stepped up a bit. The pads were great, but the acoustic-sampled instruments sounded pretty mechanical. That guitar especially was fakey sounding to me. There was a lot of percussion, but I didn't feel that it drove the song too well. The piano was fake sounding too, but i don't really have as much of an issue with that as I do the guitar. Guitar bias? Who knows. -_-
What the mix does excel on is it's soundscape and layers of textures, and it works very well as a new age piece. The transition between themes was also pretty seamless. Nice work. :-)
- OA on June 10, 2008
Great job. This one's goin' in the playlist for sure. :)
- drummermg131 on October 18, 2007
The best thing about it is the guitar coming in at 2:44; really nice.
- Martin Penwald on February 13, 2007
But I will say that the melding of the 2 melodies was quite impressive. And of course, it's a very chill track, so that's always a plus. Could have been more cohesive in my opinion, but still recommended and a great mix to relax to.
- MrBogus on February 2, 2007
This style is right up my alley.
- Souliarc on February 2, 2007
- HoboKa on January 29, 2007
- adam2 on January 28, 2007
Nice work!
- Mustin on January 27, 2007
I have to say I'm impressed. I never thought of these two songs as being able to go togther, but you you pulled it off pretty well. I am, however, disappointed that is focused more on "Hot-Head Bop" instead of "Stickerbush Symphony," my favorite song from the game. Other than that, i can't find anything wrong with this song.
9.5/10
- Ness757 on January 26, 2007
Geoffrey Taucer;223465 wrote: This is one seriously bitchin' mix.
Aye. My sentiments exactly.
I don't want to overemphasize the Metroid Prime vibe to this song... but I hear it. And I dig it.
You did something good here.
- Decoy Octopus on January 26, 2007
I like a lot of what was happening, namely the countermelodies in sliding portamento, and then how they harmonized together.
Good mix lad.
- KogeJoe on January 25, 2007
- avaris on January 25, 2007
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