ReMix: Gradius III 'Space Ace'

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Gradius III

Not to be confused with Dain's 'Ace of Space' Guardian Legend mix, bLiNd gives us his latest trance opus from Gradius III, 'Space Ace' - he writes:

"I have a childhood attachment to the music of Gradius, especially number 3 on the SNES. It's got such an uplifting and spacey sound to it. It really fit the game amazingly well. I actually developed this remix a few years ago and finally got off my butt and completed it before MAGFEST 7 (started the set with it). I went for an old school Ferry Corsten vibe, and used the JP8080 again for the lead hook. It starts off with the intro from the game and goes into departure to space and has a great vibe to it. Hope you enjoy it, this game dont get enough coverage."

Ever since I heard this from Jordan's set at MAG, I've been looking forward to posting it here. I'm definitely feelin' his comments about the series' music - Gradius tunes always seemed very uplifting and joyous. Let's see: you're in a very small spacecraft, facing innumerable alien hordes solely intent on your destruction, the odds are against you, but damn if you'll let THAT get you down - it's time for major-key synth power-anthems! You can't even hear your ship's emergency signals or use your finely tuned auditory sense to detect the spatial relationships of your foes, but it doesn't matter, because you've got major-key synth power anthems, and - as we've all learned from countless Macross series - in space warfare, that's all that counts. Death Star ain't got nothing on Lynn Minmay.

But I digress; this being bLiNd, trance, and Gradius, all rolled up into one neat little package, there's not too much else left to say. It's a little more old school and a little more unabashedly upbeat than some of Jordan's other mixes, but in all other regards it's got the same energy, the same silky smooth trance production aesthetic, and the same overall seal of quality. Great stuff.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I still listen to this song. My inspiration to start remixing came from listening to artists like bLiNd.

- Arceace on August 27, 2011
Its amazing, with Jade´s Catacombs this is gonna be my top 5 bLiNd remixes. or my top 5 Ocremix remixes!!! :D, its a time travel, I played gradius III about 13 years ago, and the remix reminds me, the atmosphere, the god difficulty of these stages... its been a long time and I almost cannot remember the original tracks (Especially the intro) so, after listening the OST, I said: OMFG, Its a perfect Selection (oh wait...) In the Intro, the sounds is similar to the Epoch´s rising to the Sky, thank you bLiNd for share this remix with us!!
Suggestions(not about this remix):
- maybe a Top gear 1 trance remix :D
- maybe a "Lab 16´s Ruin" Remix from Chrono Trigger

- Gtsugaru on June 9, 2010
I don't really know why, but this night I just had the sudden urge to listen to this song. I don't even like Gradius that much (my old man did though, man I totally bought the wrong game, but at least he liked it :P). In other words, you did something amazing here. Just thought you should know ;).

- Snuk the Great on June 8, 2010
Just heard it as part of MAGfest VII set on YouTube:
Like.Search Comments for Title.Search it here.Listen.Listen.Download.Put it on my MP3player.Listen.Listen.(ad libitum)
Awesome.
And from 2:10 on its even better :)

- sineZERO on May 28, 2010
The source melody actually sounds more natural at this tempo so good choice to slow it down. On the other hand, the abrupt chord changes of the original stand out more because of reverb, especially at instances such as 1:10 and 3:34 where the previous section's harmonies bleed into the new one's. Nice intro with cool cosmic timbres, although the chord changes and tempo change at the end of it were very abrupt. Also, I agree with Penwald that 2:08 is rather bland; instead of playing a melody, the lead plays one rhythmic riff repeatedly until 3:06. It would sound better if the source melody joined in counterpoint with that riff at 2:39 rather than waiting until 3:06. Finally, I think the ending (4:03-) could have been improved a lot if the background harmony's dynamic was gradually tapered so that the oscillating semi-percussive sound gradually came into the foreground instead of starting in it the second it enters.

- BlueEnvy on May 18, 2010
This is glorious; another (IMO) very good example for the right balance between staying true to the source and making the remix your own thing. The awesome synth gives it that certain "old Konami game" feeling.
If I had to criticise one thing, I'd say that the breakdown at 2:08 sounds kinda generic and dull.

- Martin Penwald on May 15, 2010
it's a little more bubbly than your typical bLiNd mix - i loves it. another victory for Jordan :grin:

- halc on May 6, 2010
This mix makes me very happy. I was putting it on max volume on my MP3 player while walking at night, it really gives that great of an atmosphere!

- underthesun on May 6, 2010
I'll buy your album when it drops

- Mtlbro on May 3, 2010
As always, i've come to enjoy every new mix by Blind. Keep up the great trance mixes!

- Loning on May 2, 2010
This is a unique song from Jordan - I don't think I've ever heard him do anything like this. It really does have a happy sound to it.
Nice song :-o

- Bahamut on April 23, 2010
Wow, awesome job. Going to echo what others have said about the intro, it's great.
Very very nicely done trance remix.

- Flare4War on April 22, 2010
fantastic work, as always. The intro is so good, and the rest of the track just gets better from there. I'm really glad this is on the site. :-)

- OA on April 22, 2010
When I grow up, I wanna remix and write electronica like bLiNd!
... oh wait, I'm grown up already and don't have that skill?
... crap.
Anyways, fantastic mix, when are you going to record your set and post it for the world to hear? :D

- JadeAuto on April 21, 2010
HELL yes. Been waiting for this for what feels like forever. Love you mixes, bLiNd

- Silver Skree on April 21, 2010