ReMix: Donkey Kong Country 'Riptide'
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- Game: Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Disco Dan
- Composer(s): David Wise, Eveline Novakovic, Robin Beanland
- Song(s): 'Aquatic Ambiance'
- Posted: 2007-10-13, evaluated by djpretzel
Perhaps equally surprising is the triumphant return of Disco Dan, embodied here in his first DKC ReMix, a 7'39" (!!) electronica opus of Aquatic Ambience. Despite not having a mix posted since 2004, Dan's remained very, very popular, due to some standout tracks that have huge followings. His arrangement style is more conservative, and he tends to leave the source melody more or less intact, focusing on modifications at the accompaniment and textural levels, as he does here. If you're familiar at all with his style, and you knew he was doing a mix of this theme, this is pretty much what you'd envision: there aren't any huge surprises, but that doesn't mean that every second isn't enjoyable. Things intro and outro with ocean noise, and synth arpeggio FX as well as ambient, heavier drums accentuate the breaks in between passages of the main melody, for which a piano is utilized. This mix is really easy to get into, lasts a good long while, and serves as fantastic background for surfing, coding, or performing the hobby/task of your choice. There's really not too much else to say; I talked with Dan recently and we're supposed to go duckpin or candlepin bowling (I forget which) at some indeterminate point in the future. Hopefully at that time I can persuade him to continue his own resurrection with more great tracks, but in the meantime, kick it oldschool and enjoy some DKC by DD.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Aquatic Ambience gets the Triforce Majeure treatment. Could the
gods be any more generous?
This is a pure, meaty trance chill track that knows when to show off and also when to be restrained. And mostly, it restrains, which is a refreshing take on such a capable, sweeping melody. Yeah, it's conservative, but its also honorable. Which is better than being progressive but dishonorable.
The piano is slightly too shrill by my ear, but all is forgiven by those kicks from the kettle drum. That's a detail of complete brilliance. Also impressive are the newly stylised arpeggios and terrific marine atmos that really transports the music to a different depth.
Maybe it's slightly darkened by the shadow of Triforce Majeure, but this mix still holds its own. A must listen for anyone who loves the original song (which should be everyone).
- Marmiduke on May 6, 2013
This is a pure, meaty trance chill track that knows when to show off and also when to be restrained. And mostly, it restrains, which is a refreshing take on such a capable, sweeping melody. Yeah, it's conservative, but its also honorable. Which is better than being progressive but dishonorable.
The piano is slightly too shrill by my ear, but all is forgiven by those kicks from the kettle drum. That's a detail of complete brilliance. Also impressive are the newly stylised arpeggios and terrific marine atmos that really transports the music to a different depth.
Maybe it's slightly darkened by the shadow of Triforce Majeure, but this mix still holds its own. A must listen for anyone who loves the original song (which should be everyone).
- Marmiduke on May 6, 2013
Damn, I didn't realize I missed almost every Aquatic Ambiance ReMix
when reviewing. The opening sound effects were very impressive and
the smooth lead in set the mood. After the energy picked up, I
loved it. It seemed weird to me hearing a technoish beat with a
piano lead, but that wasn't a bad thing at all. Still seems a bit
conservative on the melody in the middle, but really, there is no
fault when its THIS melody. Disco Dan pulled this off nicely and
this is a win to me. Thank god for a smooth and classy ocean
ending.
- Crulex on December 29, 2010
- Crulex on December 29, 2010
thanks man, this is awesome. just like all your other stuff :)
- Creamy Goodness on February 27, 2010
- Creamy Goodness on February 27, 2010
"DiscoDan" wrote: I think any artist would be lying if he said he didn't care what the public thought of his works, so I won't pretend to be any different.
So true!
I didn't know Dan had submitted anything past his Zelda mix. Shows that I haven't been paying attention...
The thing I like about DiscoDan's stuff is that even though he brings the beetz, most of the time his stuff is still pretty subdued and "chill" as one might say. And very musical, which is important. This one is less like the zelda mix and more in the vein of many of his classic megaman mixes, 'cept slightly more ambitious in length.
I think the secret to his popularity is that he can take a tune and expand on it well while still keeping most parts of the original intact so that it's recognizable. That is much harder to do than it might sound like.
Dan, come back! You can still have a life and make a mix or two every once in awhile!
- ella guro on December 3, 2009
Why is it that almost all Aquatic Ambiance mixes are so
conservative? It's not a bad thing necessarily, but I've heard a
ton of them and they all stick to the source tune exactly like this
one did :?
Even with the conservative arrangement though, there's a lot of ambient effects that really let you sink into the mix. The length of the song also contributes to that effect, so this one's really perfect for repeat listens when you're just trying to relax and chill out. It's a great example of personalizing the song without really altering the notes music.
Disco Dan always impressed me in the past with his ability to forge truly epic music, and while this one doesn't seem to aim to impress as much as, say, Triforce Majeure, but it's still a very great piece in its own right!
- Emunator on December 3, 2009
Even with the conservative arrangement though, there's a lot of ambient effects that really let you sink into the mix. The length of the song also contributes to that effect, so this one's really perfect for repeat listens when you're just trying to relax and chill out. It's a great example of personalizing the song without really altering the notes music.
Disco Dan always impressed me in the past with his ability to forge truly epic music, and while this one doesn't seem to aim to impress as much as, say, Triforce Majeure, but it's still a very great piece in its own right!
- Emunator on December 3, 2009
Discoooo Daaaaan~~~!
One of the 2 mixers who really got me interested in joining the site and trying to mix myself, based on his great Mega Man 2 mixes. Naturally, this mix lives up to the legacy, as it's a lushly produced mix of a superb source track. Also, if any track deserved to be spread out to almost 8 minutes, it's Aquatic Ambiance. Great use of reverb to fill the space, and the kettle drum kicks things along. Really nice stuff, conservative arrangement or no. :-)
- OA on December 2, 2009
One of the 2 mixers who really got me interested in joining the site and trying to mix myself, based on his great Mega Man 2 mixes. Naturally, this mix lives up to the legacy, as it's a lushly produced mix of a superb source track. Also, if any track deserved to be spread out to almost 8 minutes, it's Aquatic Ambiance. Great use of reverb to fill the space, and the kettle drum kicks things along. Really nice stuff, conservative arrangement or no. :-)
- OA on December 2, 2009
Disco Dan's return Did not Disappoint!
such smooth and tender trance soundscapes just takes me by storm..
i've always loved your mixes..
give us more?
(oh oh there's a 192kbps version! great news!)
- Platonist on September 29, 2008
such smooth and tender trance soundscapes just takes me by storm..
i've always loved your mixes..
give us more?
(oh oh there's a 192kbps version! great news!)
- Platonist on September 29, 2008
Don't post much anymore, but I just wanted to say this track kicks
unbelievable amounts of ass. Probably my favorite VG remix so far,
and I have heard a lot. I wish bandwidth here wasn't such an issue
so I could listen to this kind of thing in a higher bitrate mp3 or
ogg. :(
- Pineconeboy on February 3, 2008
- Pineconeboy on February 3, 2008
Nice! It's good to see you back, buddy. Hope to see future remixes
from you
- Subz1987 on January 29, 2008
- Subz1987 on January 29, 2008
Yaaayy!! Welcome Back Diso Dan!!!
This remix is fantastic. It's produced in classical Disco Dan style with care to every single detail in the original track! Amazing! The atmospheric feel, the beauty and and all the sounds bouncing through the track. Dramaticly beautiful opening with the follow of the kick drum! Amazing track!!!!:-P:-P:-o
- mastazero on November 21, 2007
This remix is fantastic. It's produced in classical Disco Dan style with care to every single detail in the original track! Amazing! The atmospheric feel, the beauty and and all the sounds bouncing through the track. Dramaticly beautiful opening with the follow of the kick drum! Amazing track!!!!:-P:-P:-o
- mastazero on November 21, 2007
Martin Penwald;340241 wrote: That being said, I don't really care for the sound of the piano. A little to Robert Miles-esque for my taste.
I agree it sounds Robert Miles-esque, but I thought that was just a good thing.
- Dafydd on November 17, 2007
This arrangement are absolutely wonderfull, that realy sounds like
songs i write for now ;p
Well now Disco Dan, this is not the first i heard you do..
- cyb0rgjeff on November 17, 2007
Well now Disco Dan, this is not the first i heard you do..
- cyb0rgjeff on November 17, 2007
Where most people struggle to make 4 minutes of music interesting,
Disco Dan manages to fill 7 minutes with enough variety and, well,
soul, for the song to never become boring (Blue Lightning anyone?
Still one of my favourites after all these years).
That being said, I don't really care for the sound of the piano. A little to Robert Miles-esque for my taste.
Very good song, and I sincerely hope to hear more from DD in the (hopefully near) future.
- Martin Penwald on November 7, 2007
That being said, I don't really care for the sound of the piano. A little to Robert Miles-esque for my taste.
Very good song, and I sincerely hope to hear more from DD in the (hopefully near) future.
- Martin Penwald on November 7, 2007
Ahoy-hoy! I just had to register in order to say - awesome remix
and awesome comeback! I've been an OCR fan since 2002, not sure why
I never registered here but hey here I am now. Just wanted you to
know that this remix prompted me to finally do so!
Best of 2007 for me. Also, thanks a lot for the higher bitrate version too - makes a big difference!
Hope to hear more from you soon. Disco Dan has been a favorite of mine since day one, so it's great to hear some new stuff!
Cheers,
Ken
- Zen Frazier on November 6, 2007
Best of 2007 for me. Also, thanks a lot for the higher bitrate version too - makes a big difference!
Hope to hear more from you soon. Disco Dan has been a favorite of mine since day one, so it's great to hear some new stuff!
Cheers,
Ken
- Zen Frazier on November 6, 2007
Finally washed ashore after a treacherous trip at sea, Disco Dan
has returned to the sands of OCR island. Needless to say, I was
completely caught off guard to see a new Disco Dan remix. It's been
freakin' forever since I heard something new by him.
Perhaps this may have been written with slight bias, but this remix definitely delivers. It opens and ends smoothly but with much beat and groove factor infused in the body of the work. The elegant piano works great with subtle electronic pulses and rhythms. Currently, it's a DKC favorite of mine. Even over 7 minutes long, time simply flies by when listening to this song.
Get this song and promote your local Disco Dan.
- Katsurugi on October 30, 2007
Perhaps this may have been written with slight bias, but this remix definitely delivers. It opens and ends smoothly but with much beat and groove factor infused in the body of the work. The elegant piano works great with subtle electronic pulses and rhythms. Currently, it's a DKC favorite of mine. Even over 7 minutes long, time simply flies by when listening to this song.
Get this song and promote your local Disco Dan.
- Katsurugi on October 30, 2007
