ReMix: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 'Brambles Open Minds Like Bubbles'

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Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

A DKC2 mix that's NOT from Serious Monkey Business? Yes! Well, kind of... ReMixer Ross Kmet explains:

"So, when I jumped on the DKC2 project, this track was open for like a day before JM nabbed it, so I started a WIP. Well, JM got the claim first, but I really liked my sketch, finished it, and sent it here. I had been listening to alot of dubstep as I wrote this, so this is my way of blending dubstep and VGM, although I wouldn't go so far as to call this song in it's entirity "dubstep". Acceptance or no, at least enjoy it.:)"

We did, and we did. As a side note, Mr. Kmet wasn't the only one put out when Morse snatched up 'Stickerbush' - I've had a WIP floating around in my noggin for a couple years, now, and was excited about finally realizing it, but the track was already claimed. Such is the way of the world, although I still plan on doing my own take at some point, and I'm certainly glad Ross finished his. This downbeat electronica mix has some REALLY cool sound design going on, and more flavors of synth than Baskin-Robbins got ice cream. Arrangement is fairly straightforward, but it truly excels in allowing the myriad textures Ross has come up with to shine in their own right - AnSo writes:

"So hey, this is a pretty damn cool remix. You definitely have your own style when it comes to sound. The instruments are warm, fat and slightly distorted for that extra edge. The sound keeps evolving and changing throughout the track which is great for variation."

Jesse also added. In short sentences. Saying:

"I'm pretty solidly with the majority here. Distinctive sounding, personalized and interesting. Some of the bell synths are reminiscent of Arc Lab. Moody. I have no problem with the ending."

Jimmy called this source tune 'the Ice Cap of the DK series,' which is probably a fair statement since it's a track that attracts a lot of attention. Nothing wrong with that, but I think it does add some pressure to try something new and differentiate your mix a bit more, and I think Ross definitely did that here: solid arrangement with some really unique, varied textures that extend & embellish the mood of the original.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Ahh why haven't I commented on this yet? It's so good.
If I remember correctly, this song was my first encounter with dubstep of any kind, so I thought those wubs were the coolest thing ever when I first heard them. They still are. The sound design in this song is what sells in my opinion. The arrangement is great, but the synths and all the detailed automation put in really put this over the top.
This song sounds so trippy and cool, and it takes my imagination to some craaazy places while listening to it. You know you've made a good song when you can do that without a lot of words (or none at all).
Thanks for making this song. This is a super cool song and I recommend it to everyone right now : D

- urdailywater on April 12, 2013
Quite a good interpretation of the source melody. I liked the use of legato instead of staccato - very nice.
Unfortunately as far as dubstep is concerned, it doesn't bring anything special to the table; the LFO bass is mundane and the drums in the breakdown are robotic.

- scatterbrain on February 21, 2011
I really enjoyed this mix. The beginning was really smooth with just enough added at each stage that it never felt slow. At 1:52 it began to sound like a piece of Flamin Lips music, and I mean that in the best possible way. Nice job.

- mjwes on January 28, 2011
I love the source tune. It really is almost the Ice Cap of the DKC games (even though I like the factories and Mines better). This ReMix did good at giving the tune justice and gives us yet another way to listen to it. Nice and mellow, but at least it has some energy to it. The only thing I didn't like was it sounded like one of the keys or bells or something was a bit to high and came off as harshly sharp. Didn't like it, but it didn't detract from the song that much and still lent to the electric feel of it. Aside from that, awesome ReMix.

- Crulex on December 30, 2010
Electrolisystem;678702 wrote: Pretty good mix. I don't see why it could'nt have gotten on the album. Well, you could have sent it in anyway just to try!

I wasn't even aware this was even around - Taucer had most of the contact with Ross. I would've been happy to take it as a bonus track.

- Bahamut on June 2, 2010
Soul Splint;684229 wrote: I remember when this was on the WIP board. I went ahead and downloaded it because I already liked it

Same here. Really enjoyed this one. Even though it is a heavily remixed source, this track manages to take yet another direction on the Brambles tune. It's weird, it's quirky, I like it. Loving all the different elements combined within the track, especially the hint of dubstep. But overall, there's this sort of calming sense to it all, and that's exactly what the Brambles source is all about. Great work!

- DuskyFerret on June 2, 2010
I remember when this was on the WIP board. I went ahead and downloaded it because I already liked it, and after leaving it on repeat for a while you start to realize it is just as "transporting" as the original was, though the original transported you to a sunny bramble patch and this one transports you to the bottom of a pool while thinking about a sunny bramble patch.

Nice work:smile:

- Soul Splint on June 2, 2010
I enjoyed this song, and I think the background sounds were some good original additions. While it wasn't my favorite Bramble song, it certainly wasn't the worst. Good job :)

- MechaFone on June 2, 2010
I really enjoyed it and as long as dkc remixes go on I can live on hoping for new ones.
sorry if i am a bit greedy but dkc must live on anyway I didn't get the title what do you mean by "Like Bubbles"?

- Giga Bowser on May 24, 2010
OtaConnor;677460 wrote: if no one can say ANYTHING mean

Criticising someone is fine, "being mean" is pointless.
Anyway, I like the choice of sounds in the remix at hand. Nice soundscape that invites you to kick back, relax, and let all the different sounds and layers take you away.

- Martin Penwald on May 23, 2010
Pretty good mix. I don't see why it could'nt have gotten on the album. Well, you could have sent it in anyway just to try!

- Anorax on May 17, 2010
You don't like this genre, oh well. If you had said something like, "I'm not a fan of all the techno crap that keeps getting posted. This is no exception," then the mods might not have railed into you like they did. Now you're just whining about the fact they called you out on whining.
To be on-topic, I liked this; it was a nice interpretation of the source. However, I still prefer Morse's take for it's sheer beauty. And that guitar solo... oohhhhhh...

- Mirby on May 13, 2010
OtaConnor;677460 wrote: Okay then, if no one can say ANYTHING mean because the mods here seem to know what a perfect remix is, and I'm clearly just a moron, then whoops. The heck is happening to this once great website.

There was once a saying, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." That said and out of the way, it is useless to continue to whine after being quoted the rules in emphasis and shown you were wrong. If you have any further complaints over it, please keep it out of the thread as this is not the place for it.

- zneoson on May 13, 2010
Okay then, if no one can say ANYTHING mean because the mods here seem to know what a perfect remix is, and I'm clearly just a moron, then whoops. The heck is happening to this once great website.

- OtaConnor on May 13, 2010
djpretzel;31208 wrote: 1. Post on-topic reviews that specifically address the corresponding ReMix. Don't post generalized opinions like "I hated this game" or "Why are there so many techno remixes?" or "This is the only good mix in the last month". Your review should be specifically about that ReMix.
2. If you didn't like a particular mix, please refrain from using an insulting or offensive tone. It's okay to say you don't like a mix, wouldn't recommend a mix, would never listen to it again, etc., but making personal attacks or posting extreme and non-constructive reviews like "this sucks" etc. is not cool. Just try to keep things civil - again, this makes everyone's life easier.

Emphasis mine. Now that that's out of the way...
This wasn't at a first listen something I thought I'd like. Too much random synths that didn't feel like they fit together. That kind of variety of sounds is just too much for me (I sometimes think I did the same with Lacrima, tho I blame OA for that :D).
Then again, the soft parts of the mix are pretty, and there's a lot of them in the mix. The resonant metallic instrument at the end has a really cool sound. Ending is the coolest part of the mix thanks to that.

- Rozovian on May 13, 2010