ReMix: Final Fantasy VII 'Rare Square'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VII (Square, 1997, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): The Orichalcon, bustatunez
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Countdown', 'The North Cave'
- Posted: 2007-09-14, evaluated by djpretzel
I've hung with Wilbert "bustatunez" Roget, II on at least a couple occasions and am always impressed by his innate musical talent; some people are just born with musicianship in 'em, and can't begin to hide it, and that's him. At VGL in DC he treated us all to some awesome impromptu piano versions of classic Yoko Kanno anime themes, and he's also beginning to seriously break into the industry - check out his site at www.rogetmusic.com for the latest and greatest, and here's hoping he remembers the little people when he becomes the next John Williams, eh? The judges panel's own Lee Barber was finally able to persuade him to get something onto OCR:
"I'd wanted to contribute to OC ReMix for quite some time, so when I was approached to collaborate with Lee on this track, I jumped at the opportunity. Basically I provided the strings and other orchestral elements, giving the track an independent hook while also tying it in with other themes from FF7 and incorporating my own "gestural" approach to orchestration.
Any resemblance to the Bond franchise is purely coincidental. ;-)"
Lee himself, aka The Orichalcon, writes:
"I started working on the remix of Countdown Begins as a challenge to take one of the cinematic tracks and turn it into what might be useable as background music. There wasn't really enough material in it, so I also included the Great Northern Cave music. I needed someone who could do some proper cinematic-style strings and instrumentation for the piece, so Andy recommended bustatunez. I sent the track to him, and he very quickly came up with the awesome strings for the track as well as some other parts. We shaped it out a bit further going back and forth, and ended up with Rare Square."
Finally, to explain the mix's title, last but never least, Larry Oji writes:
"I titled this track. When I heard the end result, I got a similar vibe as the GoldenEye 007 soundtrack (only with upgraded sound quality). What if Rare's sound team had arranged a Squaresoft piece? I could only reason that it would sound very similar to what Lee and Will made, hence the name 'Rare Square.'"
Gotta say, I love these multi-quote writeups, because - especially at three in the morning - they really make my job a lot easier! As a side note for those following OCR perhaps a little too closely, this flood of FF7 mixes just surpassed the previous record holder, the great Radical Dreamers flood of 2001. Groovy. This is so cinematic you feel like you should be eating junior mints and pop corn and chugging down a "small" coke that for some reason is still huge and costs ten dollars and telling some kid behind you to shut the hell up and stop kicking your chair and waiting for those annoying ads they're putting before the trailers to stop. It's THAT cinematic. Save yourself the cash and make out with your significant other while listening to this mix instead; it's just as cinematic as anything you'll see in theaters, and you don't have to compete with the likes of Brad Pitt or Daniel Craig. Suffice it to say that the combination of Lee's ever-improving beatsmithing and ambient/fx work with bustatunez's orchestral work makes for a Grade-A Hollywood soundtrack experience. Interesting indirect collab that Andy was wise to facilitate; good stuff.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the BlackPanther;535335 wrote: This remix was pretty dope. The strings were sick as hell and all together this song is straight rockin. I definitely get the goldneye vibe comin from this song. Don't know why I haven't heard this song before, am I crazy?
Nope, you're not crazy. The similarity to Goldeneye is where the name comes from. "Rare Square" - "Rare", as in, the company which made Goldeneye. :)
- zircon on May 13, 2009
BPM: ~115
I had VotL playing in the background while coding, and this hypnotic gem appeared. I really hadn't noticed it before now. Timing etc.
- Tricklozen on May 13, 2009
- BlackPanther on April 22, 2009
No clear verse and chorus, just a swirling of strings and bells and horns with a constant buildup to an unresolved climax. It's ominous undertones and changing dynamics are gripping; by the end the listener is on the edge of his seat. Truly magnificent.
- K.B. on December 6, 2008
- tweek on July 24, 2008
zircon;352395 wrote: Well, it also may not have gotten a lot of reviews because it was posted in a flood of 13 other mixes, and the theme is more obscure.
Not only that, but the review thread for it was broken for a couple days after it was posted, when probably most of the commenting takes place. This was actually my favorite song out of everything from VoTL, which is pretty damn high praise. The ways those strings creep along puts this incredibly evil grin on my face. Thick, chilling atmosphere and a perfect matching of styles between busta and TO.
- Palpable on February 12, 2008
However! It's still great. I liked it a lot even when it was just TO, but busta's additions really make it stand out. Very impressive stuff. Take note Square.
ps. Happy birthday Will!
- zircon on December 7, 2007
--Eino
- evktalo on December 7, 2007
- big giant circles on November 4, 2007
Those strings surrounded by a fantastic soundscape are instantly memorable and completely addictive. It helps that the song is bite-sized enough to encourage repeat listens, and that the content is deep enough to keep finding new, subtle phrases each time. I especially like how the song is driven by the panning, pinging synth, allowing the percussion to take a more atmospheric role, with the toms adding a bit of punch here and there.
This is excellent, inspiring work, and easily one of the most accomplished tracks on the album.
- OA on October 23, 2007
This is arguably one of the sexiest tracks on the album. Definitely had the "Bond" feel in both ways--both in light of the group and also the movies.
This is definitely Hollywood movie-score-worthy. All the source really needed was a couple talented musicians, one of which bears a phat Aussie booty.
This one sweats intensity and suspense. It's beautiful. Will and Lee--be proud, stand tall. Lee, I know you said you weren't as happy with the outcome, but let me assure you, it's terrific the way it is. You get the nicework smiley. 4x.
:nicework::nicework::nicework::nicework:
- big giant circles on September 15, 2007
This is definitely another awesome track from another awesome project. Well done TO and bustatunez! :smile:
- Jaybell on September 15, 2007
There's a lot to choose from off of the FF7 album, but this one is my genuine favorite.
- Liontamer on September 14, 2007
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