ReMix: Super Deform Snatcher 'Difficult Move Indeed'
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- Game: Super Deform Snatcher (Konami, 1990, MSX)
- ReMixer(s): Commandcom
- Composer(s): Masahiro Ikariko, Michiru Yamane, Motoaki Furukawa, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Tomoya Tomita, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Yuji Takenouchi
- Song(s): 'Difficult Move'
- Posted: 2009-06-14, evaluated by the judges
Super Deform Snatcher!? But I don't even know her!! (fx)... Following on Mazedude's momentous & memorable Mega Man masterpiece, I'm proud to post our first ReMix from an MSX game, which is also our first arrangement from a Snatcher title AND the debut mix from Spanish composer Jorge Mira, alias Commandcom, who's done some television and film work as well. The MSX was way more popular in Japan and Spanish-speaking countries than it was in the US, and somewhat bizarrely originated with Microsoft - full story over at Wikipedia; in some ways it's a like a (very) distant precursor to the Xbox. There were plenty of great games, and many are unaware that several popular series like Bomberman, Parodius, and even Metal Gear itself all got their start on this platform. In otherwords, respect the MSX - it's a serious bit of video gaming history that many of us missed out on, but we can all enjoy through emulation. Also, let me say a few words about the Snatcher games: Badass. That's actually just one word, you got me, but I had a blast playing the localized Sega CD version way back in the day. It's pure Kojima, through and through, borrowing from Terminator, Blade Runner, and countless other sources of inspiration to create something new and iconic. I am seriously hoping that one day Kojima takes some time away from MGS to return to this series in full next-gen regalia and blow us all away yet again. junkerhq.net is probably the best resource for anyone interested in more about this awesome series.
A lot of Konami's best composers worked on the soundtrack to Super Deform Snatcher ("SD Snatcher" for short), which is an alternate take on the original plot, with different gameplay and, as the title suggests, adorably miniaturized characters. Jorge writes:
"The fact is that I've felt the needing of doing a tribute album since I was 20 or so (I'm 35 now, so It's been a while) and, of course, one of my tribute targets would be Video Game Music, as it has influenced me beyond any measurable reason. I learned so much from those games that I felt they deserved recognition...So my greatest influences come from the MSX age, and, of course, Konami Games. I made up a list, maybe 8 years ago, about the key tunes / games. And one of them is, as you may guess, SD Snatcher (Konami, MSX2, 1990) This was one of the (now ultra famous) Hideo Kojima productions: In fact, it is a remake in an RPG style of "Snatcher", a previous game.
The intro for the game consists of 3 episodes: The song chosen corresponds to the second one, the "Title Sequence" one. Since I heard it, it reminded me of Mission:Impossible, James Bond and Charlie's Angels all at the same time (I wouldn't be surprised if those were the exact references Kojima gave composer Masahiro Ikariko to work with) So, there was the Adam Clayton / Larry Mullen Re-Mix of the Lalo Schiffrin's Mission Impossible theme. And that was the idea! Slow it down, 007-ize it, Charlie-ize it, Orchestra-ize it!
The track name is "Difficult Move", and my mix is called "Difficult Move Indeed" for obvious reasons you'll find into it in the "Charlie's Angels" part. I focused in 3 of the 4 parts of the song. re-enforcing the presence of the "Mission: Impossible" part and just giving a hint on the 007 / Charlie ones. I like to make these mixes feel they actually could be IN the game, so not trying to get them that far away from their original universe and making them proud of their origin. Also, I'm trying to "pop-ize" them, so anyone could find an structure to relate to, even if they are not aware of what they are listening to."
Nice background on the creative process from Jorge that does an excellent job giving you an idea what to expect... so I don't have to. More laziness ensues as I quote select judges, starting with Vinnie:
"I like this one. You hit the nail on the head adapting this piece to the style of the spy songs you mentioned, and the new background writing and complementary writing gives this a great balance of new and old."
And then moving on to Shariq:
"I don't think there's anything wrong with the samples. This is a pretty groovy, piece of work. I love that timpani roll; it's like "HEY LISTEN UP, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING BIG HERE." Piano section does a nice job mellowing things out. Double-time section right after gets me dancing. Very cool stuff."
And finally, Aversa:
"I definitely get that classic "espionage" feeling here. I love the original writing and the arrangement is very creative. If you told me this was on the soundtrack of a new James Bond game I'd believe you. On the production end, the strings and brass aren't perfectly realistic (could use more reverb, in my opinion, to help them sit in better) but otherwise things sound pretty slick and well-balanced to me. Awesome stuff!"
Jorge and the judges said it all better than I could anyway - it was clear that the artist was inspired to create this piece and that he loves the music, the game, and the films that combined to spark this composition. It's taken us almost ten years to get an MSX mix on the site, ditto for Snatcher, and I think the biggest compliment I can pay this track is that, in both instances, it does not disappoint.
Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the So the only brass there is comes in about 2:40, in the end section.
Maybe some are wanting to hear the brass in the main motif, wich, indeed, would be quite appropiate if I had done so, but the fact is that I wanted it to sound more "blended" betwen synth/orchestra. (In fact, the orchestra "bits", as I call them, are not the main thing here. At least from my point of view)
Best,
Jorge
- commandcom on July 1, 2009
Martin Penwald;562600 wrote: The synth coming in at 1:45 is really nice
Great!! THAT was one of my personal tributes to Konami Itself!! That kind of synth line is a classic Konami one, specially when it does the portamento thing. Much used in OSTs like Rocket Knight Adventures (Megadrive) by Konami composers.
This, and other little detalis, tie the arrangement to the Video Games Universe and don't let it go THAT far away.
Glad you noticed it!
Best,
Jorge
- commandcom on July 1, 2009
The synth coming in at 1:45 is really nice, and I agree to what was said about the wah guitar, though I wish it would have been a little louder.
- Martin Penwald on June 30, 2009
- LuigiFan on June 22, 2009
- project_noah on June 17, 2009
OA;558596 wrote: I wish there were some massive sections where the track really opened up, especially at the end; I think a huge ending would have been more exciting than the way it sort of faded out.
Well, well... so you noticed it, :D
Indeed: There's one whole layer "missing" here. The Big Band Brass. From the 2nd chorus (in wich the main motif basically repeats twice, just like the second repetition of the first occurence) the extra BRASS should come in to make it one step further, and so to place the seed for the double-extra brass and fills-in over the "ending section" a la Bond Big Band, so the roller coaster is fully up until the very end.
I even started it, but work (and life in general) made me stay in this Defcon 3 instead of getting my hands reaaaally dirty. (Really dirty, as you can see, although balanced, there's quite a lot of stuff going on, so fitting this extra stuff would require more extra work than the proportional benefit)
So, yes, you're right. But then, again, it is quite groovy and just works like it is. :D
Best regards,
Jorge
- commandcom on June 17, 2009
- OA on June 17, 2009
Thank you all for your great comments!
I'd like to encourage you to have a listen to the original tune, as well as other music in the game.
Chek this youtube link: [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Bb34ZoI7s"]SD Snatcher Intro, Sequences 1 and 2[/URL]
"Difficult Move" is the title of the 2nd sequence, the tune that starts with the "SD Snatcher" logo and goes on with the credits of the game.
Then, if you have 3 more minutes to spare, check the 3rd sequence of the intro [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=122X0sz7pyU&feature=related"]here[/URL]
Chapter 3 ("Modern Crusade") is pure genius. (in youtube, is called "Intro Part 2") It is the sequence shown to the user once he's entered his name and the game begins. And what is really remarkable is the way this "simphonic poem" a-la-Gershwin, never looking back, gives you a precise snapshot of what's gong on emotionally. (One can almost hear the Russian Choir in the Chernorton passage), and done with a superb skill. It almost seems easy....
Again, thank you all.
Best regards,
Jorge
- commandcom on June 17, 2009
- Forderz on June 15, 2009
- BlackPanther on June 15, 2009
Very awesome stuff here, Jorge!
- CN on June 15, 2009
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