ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 'Mamacitas in My Valley'

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

First off, let's just take a look at the mix title, here... because, on close inspection, you'll notice that it has the word "mamacitas" in it. So, I ask you: how can this mix possibly be bad? How can any fault be found? "Mamacitas" is like a free pass to the world of awesome... it's like adding 808 claps AND orchestra hits to your mix, and throwing in RAD TIMBALE LICKS, too. Frank serves up a heapin' helpin' of hip hop urbanism wrapped in a slick 'Gerudo Valley' arrangement. The source material is fantastic - really one of Kondo's best N64 pieces - and has been arranged a variety of ways by several ReMixers, including yours truly. I actually have yet another idea in my head for arranging it again; it's really attractive compositionally as it has a catchy chorus AND verse as well, which isn't too common.

At any rate, it's easy to see why mixers keep coming back to it, and I'm sure as hell glad DD has, as his version is fantastic. Rising piano arpeggios set the stage, but when the Kill Bill trumpets and Latin percussion enter at 0'16", the real mojo kicks in, amplified by a monoglide bridge into a heavy hip-hop beat with occasional string stabs, a nice & subtle moving harp part in the background, wah guitar riffs, and Spanish guitar on the melody. I did throw some similar Latin elements into my own arrangement way back when, but this has far better production values and hip-hop in its favor, plus an unstoppable mix title. The undulating synth bass groove more prevalent in the second half of the mix is absolutely delicious, and at 4'28" you'll wonder where the time went so quickly when everything ends. I know fadeout endings have legion detractors, but I might have preferred that to the very abrupt cut out that Frank opted for instead, but he compensates with beautiful layered beats and just a fantastic sense of rhythm and mixing. Everything Frank's done so far has been fabulous, but this just might be my favorite, as it succeeds so completely at accomplishing the goal of turning 'Gerudo' into a Latin/hip-hip jam piece. We've still got a lot of summer left, people, and if you don't party with this joint in your own valley at some point, it's your loss. Excellent.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
SChepulis;651751 wrote: How did I miss this track?

^ this
seriously stellar work, diggi
love. it

- chthonic on July 17, 2010
This mix is very enjoyable. Played it several times since it was released.

- SubNormal J3 on June 29, 2010
epic remix. the style change at 2:30 hits sooo hard.

- hsram on June 29, 2010
My very first post on here and i must say I love this song. The way you used the guitar is just superb! Thoroughly enjoy and I've downloaded.

- salamangkiro on June 24, 2010
This is my second night listening to this site's songs, and in my opinion, this is the best mix of this song on here!
Nice Job!

- Cecil the Blade on April 30, 2010
How did I miss this track? I love the source and this is one of the best remixes of the song I've heard!

- SChepulis on March 4, 2010
This mix starts out as one big fake-out after another, first with the piano and then the Latin section, but once you get the hip-hop beats going this really becomes [i]the[/i] defining Gerudo Valley mix on OCR, in my opinion. Props for pulling off the claps in a way that doesn't annoy me, that seems to be a hard thing to do :tomatoface:
I'm a huge fan of all your work, Diggi Dis, but this one feels like one of the most polished and overall quality works you've put out in a while! Highly recommended, don't let the genres turn you off if you happen to not be a fan of Latin or Hip-Hop ;-)

- Emunator on December 22, 2009
Dios mio, this remix is pwning, great beats, nice guitars and brass, and a lot of cool arrangement ideas help this classic source track.
Really the only weakness in this is the lead guitar sample, and that abrupt ending.
Awesome work, esse.

- OA on December 4, 2009
Interesting remix. Nice job. Kudos.

- Pachi Risu on November 23, 2009
I enjoyed this remix, the subtle piano opening meshes well with the brass in the beginning, and even though I'm not that big a fan of hip-hop the beat was quite fascinating.
My favorite part would have to be the long bridge near the middle of the track, it's inspiring when remixers place long segments of music drawn from themselves rather than from the game.
I hate to be such a sheep here but the ending is... ookkaaayyy, when it cuts out it sounds kinda cool, but I think having a more solid ending would have been nice.
Either way, great job, excellent remix.

- AmazinJason on December 17, 2008
Imho, this is better than the original.
This is one of my favorite mixes; it just takes an already cool song and makes it better.
This is a definite must download.
Incronaut;440619 wrote: I would love to go to this valley

Me too. :razz:

- 42 on December 16, 2008
Awesome guitar work, great rhythm and breaks, totally hot in its entirety. This one was on repeat for quite a while after I downloaded it.
Ay caramba! Las mamacitas estan enamoradas de Diggi Dis! Que suerte para el!

- glasfen on October 8, 2008
Very good, has a nice beat. Kinda tiring that almost all OOT remixes have been of this tune. Would be nice to hear something new.

- dweber5 on October 8, 2008
I would love to go to this valley

- Incronaut on August 17, 2008
Reviewing late.
Love this remix. The Spanish influences from the original are intact...but you've managed to successfully combine that with some hip-hop and Latin stuff. Works really well. I especially love that beat breakdown in the middle of the track. Makes you wanna dance, you know.

- SwordBreaker on August 13, 2008