ReMix: NiGHTS into dreams... 'New Jack Mantle'

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NiGHTS: Lucid DreamingNiGHTS into dreams...

New Jack NiGHTS? Hell YES.

Newcomers DiGi Valentine & Tryezz lay down a delicious, British-flavoured, ridiculously funky jam that took me by complete surprise, in the best of ways. DiGi (and TRiPPY) actually interviewed NiGHTS creators Yuji Naka & Takashi Iizuka at the Summer of Sonic convention put together by Kevin Eva, so you'll wanna check that out too. Album Director Level 99 writes:

"DiGi is one of the most integral members of this album: he served as associate producer, helped get the artists on board, assisted in gathering the singers for The Dreamers chorus, and many other things. One big feat was him getting Tryezz on board to do an New Jack style arrangement of "The Mantle." DiGi provided the lyrics and vocals, the resulting song coming together splendidly. Get off that Mantle and break it down on the dance floor."

I just wouldn't have mentally paired up NiGHTS with rapping, or New Jack Swing for that matter, but WOW does it ever work; lyrics avoid particularly specific tie-ins to the game, but flow perfectly, and the whole jam feels authentic & immediate in a way that's really unique among VGM arrangements. The basic groove is so damn good that it DOES get leaned on quite a bit, but it's just too sexy NOT to, plus there's more than enough structural & lyrical variation elsewhere; I especially like the fade/filter outro, which echoes the fresh, soaring synth solo from the middle of track. I'll confess to a general lack of expertise & exposure to both New Jack AND hip-hop/rappers w/ British accents, but I totally dig this on every level; some of the production elements remind me of A_Rival, others José the Bronx Rican, but the overall package is unique, fresh, and brings a ton of flavor to Lucid Dreaming; absolutely fantastic & devastatingly infectious.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Wow, I actually completely overlooked this one, DiGi (I wasn't lurking OCR much during this album's release). I didn't know what to expect on the collab going in, but had I heard this I wouldn't have been so surprised. Definitely looking forward to future projects! ;)

- metaphist on March 15, 2013
Thanks to DJP and his writeup for allowing me to discover Tryezz. I am digging into his solo works, now I have a backlog of his stuff to buy.

- CC Ricers on December 11, 2012
Phonetic Hero;815586 wrote: But am I the only one who can't listen to this without hearing the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme? Must be the 90's kid in me :)


Not "Fresh Prince" specifically, but the music made think of that era and style for sure. Plus I got reminded of Will Smith on the "bounce" bit. Funky and badass at the same time. I just enjoy the hip hop style this has, and the vocals are interesting to say the least. They totally fit in right into this song. This album has turned out so many awesome songs, that I have NiGHTS into dreams on my gaming list. So nice going, fellas!

- Crulex on November 3, 2012
Man, this album is full of class, and this song is no exception. This is more reminiscent of older hip hop to me with some of the minimalism found here, and the smoothness. I like how this song uses just the right amount of rapping with how it's built. Very nice!

- Bahamut on December 15, 2011
I love this song. So badass, I crank it from my car with the windows down. But am I the only one who can't listen to this without hearing the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme? Must be the 90's kid in me :)

- Phonetic Hero on October 24, 2011
Finally got round to listening to the album, and this track jumps out at me more than most. Maybe it's the vocals, maybe it's the groove, but it just works so well together I'm blown away! Definitely feeling the Zapp & Roger vibe. Looking forward to more stuff like this.
Such a damn smooth and distinctly 80s solo in the middle as well... I can picture the washed-out cameras and disco balls on Top of the Pops during this bit, then BAM back to the present in the verse. Top drawer.

- DarkSim on September 13, 2011
Just hearing this again on RadioSEGA. DAYUM, just a very smart, creative arrangement. Still loving this one! :-)

- Liontamer on August 5, 2011
DiGi Valentine;797611 wrote: Maybe i've misunderstood you here so my bad if i do but ...there's only one vocalist on this tune and that's me XD; Though i should have done some backing-vocals there too like how i did on the verses.


Yeah, that's what I meant. I knew there was just one vocalist, but you did harmonize your own vocals in the verses which is what I was refering to, to give it the feel there was more than one. Overall though, its definitely not bad, and the British style rapping definitely gives it a nice and unique feel to it. The execution of the music was all rather well done too. I definitely prefer this over any other rap song out there. Ok, and the Parappa Rappa cooking song too :P

- Uraniumpoppyseed on July 27, 2011
Uraniumpoppyseed;797529 wrote: but I was going on the notion that there are more than just one vocalist in the song.
Maybe i've misunderstood you here so my bad if i do but ...there's only one vocalist on this tune and that's me XD; Though i should have done some backing-vocals there too like how i did on the verses.

- DiGi Valentine on July 23, 2011
Liontamer;797399 wrote: Why? Can't say that makes much sense. If you were in a club setting, the other people wouldn't be chanting "Bounce" back at whoever was saying it, they'd be bouncing. :tomatoface:


Ok, I can understand what you're saying there...but I was going on the notion that there are more than just one vocalist in the song. Wouldn't you want all the vocalists chanting "bounce" to get the club "bouncing" rather than just one person chanting? It just seemed somewhat bland right there

- Uraniumpoppyseed on July 22, 2011
Uraniumpoppyseed;797290 wrote: During the "Bounce" section, there should have been more vocals overlapping "bounce" in unison.

Why? Can't say that makes much sense. If you were in a club setting, the other people wouldn't be chanting "Bounce" back at whoever was saying it, they'd be bouncing. :tomatoface:

- Liontamer on July 22, 2011
This is so so good. DiGi, I love how effortless and natural your flow sounds. Tryezz, what an impeccable production. Looking forward to more from you guys in the future.

- Geneson on July 22, 2011
Uraniumpoppyseed;797290 wrote: Its kinda like that awkward guy during a party being the only one "bouncing,"
Hahah! Yeah, sounds just about right! XD
No no, in all seriousness i actually agree with you though. I added that section in more as an after thought rather than flesh out the idea of it properly during development of the tune. The bounce sounds like it needs a bit more oomf to give it that proper party feel.
Cheers for digging it though. I am happy that people who don't normally listen to rap are at least giving it a chance :)

- DiGi Valentine on July 22, 2011
Rap isn't totally my thing either, however this song got me grooving on my mp3 player

I only had one issue I wanted to mention: During the "Bounce" section, there should have been more vocals overlapping "bounce" in unison. Its kinda like that awkward guy during a party being the only one "bouncing," and everyone just kinda feels awkward to bouncing to him saying "bounce." But with more people chiming in "bounce," then its better with participation.

Wow, that was a lot of "bounce" in just that paragraph, I hope you get what I was trying to say. Otherwise, I dig it

- Uraniumpoppyseed on July 21, 2011
This is pretty much my favorite track on the album.

- CasualVader on July 9, 2011