ReMix: Super Mario Kart 'Koopa Nova'

downloadDownload MP3
4,758,689 bytes, 3:15, 192kbps
Stream/preview on YouTubePlay Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
Super Mario Kart

We (sadly?) couldn't just keep posting ReMixes of FFX/Hurry or we'd become OverClocked HurryMix, which sounds even LESS sexy... here to break the two-mix trend is diotrans, aka Amy Hsieh, who recently rocked out on violin along w/ OA, Stevo, and Connor to 'Wanderer on the Offensive' as part of "OCR Live," a new portion of our panel we just debuted at MAGFest and hope to repeat elsewhere. It was rather epic. A lot of times I get to write about a ReMixer finally doing a vocal track, but this is the opposite - Amy's previous mixes from 2010 all employed her vocal talents, makign this her first instrumental! She writes:

"Super Mario Kart was one of those games I played the crap out of as a kid, so this soundtrack is very nostalgic for me. ^_^ I don't remember exactly how the idea for this remix came about. I just know that I've had in my head a bossa nova-style starman theme for a long time, and a bossa nova-style Koopa Beach for an even longer time. I guess I finally put it together and combined the two ideas.

I'm playing flute, acoustic guitar, and keys in this one. This is a totally new and different style for me, so I didn't really have a clear image of what the song would be like when I started it. There was a lot of exploring and learning new things, and the remix took me a long time to finish. But I had a ton of fun with it. I also want to mention that I was partly inspired by the Austin Powers soundtrack (which is surprisingly good, probably my favorite movie soundtrack).

Shout out to my OCR buddies Arcana, sixto, and others who encouraged me and gave suggestions, and especially Palpable who heard the WIP in various stages as it evolved and gave helpful advice along the way."

Great stuff; the warmth and detail that Amy's multi-instrumental performances add is invaluable, and really sells the genre, which works perfectly with the source tunes. Drums are perhaps just a little stiff/static, but that's probably accentuated because of the Real Live Instruments™; Vinnie evaluates his significant other with what I'll agree is some pretty objective, spot-on praise:

"I didn't help Amy with this one too much apart from telling her I liked the direction it was going in and adding one fill, so I think I can judge it objectively. I love the buildup of the song, starting with some very basic melodies pulled from the original, and by the end, morphing into a far more complex interplay of flute and guitar with heavier drums. While there's a lot of layer change-ups in the drums, it might have been cool to hear more volume adjustment and ghost notes so that the playing was more humanized. The live guitar and flute add a lot and the drums aren't quite at that level of realism. Regardless, this is a really enjoyable, laidback blend of the two themes."

What he said; okay drums, great arrangement, great performances, great mix. I'm really glad Amy put together an instrumental this solid, because I think it proves a point, too, and shows she can do vocal and non-vocal mixes and end up with great music either way.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Very smooth and relaxing stuff, even once it picks up some speed. Reminds me of the OneUps.
Also, loving the flute and the guitar. The fade-out was kinda weak, though.

- Martin Penwald on March 8, 2011
That flute is just perfect! Not too flashy, just a nice, disciplined, melodic line to accompany the bossa beat. I've been looking into doing some bossa nova stuff on the piano, but had put that project away a few months ago due to it not working out the way I was hoping. This definitely makes me want to break it out again!
Awesome stuff, diotrans!

- Squint on February 28, 2011
I Love this track - it's smooth and cool, and very relaxing. I am excited to play it live. :-)

- OA on February 4, 2011
i love this.. powerful nostalgia, great live instruments, way to bring it back! seriously feels good man, i don't post too many comments but this mix does it for me! i've been an OCR fan for what, 10 years now? and this is as fresh as ever :)

- hyzteria on February 3, 2011
An enjoyable mix for sure, though I'll never be able to listen to Wing Cap without hearing chthonic's mix in my head.

- badhabit on January 31, 2011
I was actually very surprised that I didn't hear vocals in this remix xD. This is hella cool. More kick ass chill music to add to my collection =).

- BlackPanther on January 27, 2011
haha, all the mixes I've listened to from diotrans have been centered around her vocals, but this made me realize she also plays well.

- NegimaSonic on January 26, 2011
excellent blending of the two themes. love it! :nicework:

- halc on January 24, 2011
I really, really loved the guitar playing. I know you agonized over it but it's excellent. This mix is great, it's so calm, so relaxing, and yet upbeat. Kind of makes you want to dance a little.
I love it! It's great to see your talent showcased so well here.

- Arcana on January 24, 2011
I really like the blending of the two themes, it just sounds effortless and natural. Great style, very catchy, this is the kind of mix I can listen to a few times in a row and still not be sick of it.
I'm a pretty big fan of the flute, so that is another major selling point of this mix for me, it drives the song with such a smooth feeling, and the guitar compliments it extremely well. Great job!

- ZealPath on January 24, 2011
Incredible ReMix! I loved the even pacing and the cool bossa nova groove that really brings the two tunes used right out. Very nice alternating and mixing of Koopa Beach and Powerful Mario. The whole ReMix sounds very relaxed and natural, extremely tropical too. The flute work was amazingly done as well. Fantastic job.

- Crulex on January 22, 2011
Awesome arrangement, I'm digging the way you took the source. Makes me feel it's already summer! Great job!

- Chernabogue on January 22, 2011
I love what you've done to this, except I would have preferred a nylon guitar over a steel stringed one. Tempo could also have been higher.

- Dafydd on January 22, 2011
I'm not sure if this was the intention, but nice combination of Nova elements from the Super Mario World Special Zone.

- SubNormal J3 on January 22, 2011
Excellent stuff. Love your flute and guitar playing, especially the latter. The reverb you put on the guitars sounds so awesome. Like the tropical vibe of the remix, which obviously fits Koopa Beach like a glove. The Powerful Mario/Starman theme is integrated really well, too.

- SwordBreaker on January 22, 2011