ReMix: Metroid 'KR44441D'
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- Game: Metroid (Nintendo, 1986, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Mustin
- Composer(s): Hirokazu Tanaka
- Song(s): 'Kraid's Chamber'
- Posted: 2011-12-24, evaluated by djpretzel
In case you haven't heard yet, the Bad Dudes have a new Metroid album to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, much as Harmony of a Hunter did earlier in the year. Mustin makes it into 2011 in the nick of time with this jazz/dnb 'Kraid' arrangement:
"The Bad Dudes had another project in the works a while back simply titled "Green Guys." I had this idea to do Kraid (a green guy) in a 4/4 drum 'n bass versus the original 6/8 creepfest that it is in the original. This is a rare instance where I've kept an idea in my head and had it come out exactly as I had imagined it one night, years later. I hope you like it and thank you to Diggi Dis for making it sound amazing."
Spiritually & stylistically, this mix reminds me a lot of posu's 'Garlic' Castlevania ReMix from 2008; quick beats, jazz flavors, EP, and a clever rhythmic variation on a well-known melodic riff. Those were some fantastic ingredients back then, and while of course it's a different chef and a different recipe, the common flavor profile is some delicious, gourmet VGM arrangement. There are a bunch of what I'll understatedly refer to as "good decisions" in this mix - the dropout/DSP at 0'46", the half-tempo groove at 2'23", and the hard chops in the second half where even the reverb trails get muted. These are all the types of details that folks like Mustin, po, & Morse consistently get right in similar arrangements, and while the whole always ends up being greater than the sum of its parts, these are some brilliant parts. I gotta go get started on the gift wrapping for tomorrow, but don't let my relative brevity suggest that this isn't a badass, extremely creative take on an iconic Metroid theme, because - as you would expect from a Bad Dude - it is.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the The part around 2:30 has a very Ridge Racer Type 4 vibe to it, IMO.
Well done, jazz or not.
- Martin Penwald on April 11, 2012
i don't care if this is "real" jazz or not, it's just great music!
- Vasall on January 21, 2012
- Codamadius on January 6, 2012
Whatever the disagreements, I think everyone can certainly enjoy a chilled shot of this relaxing, refreshing elixir at the end of a long day.
- WesternZypher on January 4, 2012
- Squinter Cell on December 30, 2011
- chrisdlugosz on December 28, 2011
also dis prety jazzy kekeke
6/5
- Benjamin Briggs on December 28, 2011
- docnano on December 28, 2011
sergio;831210 wrote: To be fair, most people have been saying 'jazzy' which I'd say means 'jazz-influenced' more than 'of the jazz genre'. Perhaps this is merely an extension of your rage at The OneUps frequently being called a jazz band (a complaint which I would conversely deem entirely justified)?
Well, I called it "jazz/dnb" in my writeup, but let's approach this from a different angle - I've seen Mustin get upset over The OneUps being called a jazz band on Twitter, etc., but if you don't give people a better alternative, they're going to persist, and I don't remember any suggestions, nor am I hearing any now. This is the problem with genres - they sometimes require the "least worst" selection, because nothing else intuitively presents itself as being more accurate.
- djpretzel on December 28, 2011
- sergio on December 28, 2011
Mustin;831024 wrote: Serious! ...Let's just all take it easy on labelling something as Jazz just because it has 7 or 9 chords and/or a saxophone. Just listen to the audio examples I gave. It's pretty clear what is Jazz music. The influence of Jazz music can be found in all styles of music, but I think "Jazz" as a label/genre is much more narrow.
Hmmmm... I actually think it'd be preferable if we instead all took it easy on negating the genre classifications of others, rather than expressing 110% certitude that any given piece of music A is expressly not genre B or C, because it lacks characteristics D & E. That all seems a bit rote, especially when some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time have embraced a definition of the genre that is expansive & inclusive rather than limiting & categorical.
But we can agree to disagree - it's a great mix either way.
- djpretzel on December 27, 2011
Let's just all take it easy on labelling something as Jazz just because it has 7 or 9 chords and/or a saxophone. Just listen to the audio examples I gave. It's pretty clear what is Jazz music. The influence of Jazz music can be found in all styles of music, but I think "Jazz" as a label/genre is much more narrow.
- Mustin on December 27, 2011
Mustin;830972 wrote: Jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1rKV1tLiBY#t=2m58s
Drum 'n Bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTL0t_HHkZI#t=1m39s
I appreciate the praise but this is not Jazz music. There is no walking bass line and no improvisation.
Legit question because I can't figure it out: Are you being sarcastic or serious?
- djpretzel on December 27, 2011
Drum 'n Bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTL0t_HHkZI#t=1m39s
I appreciate the praise but this is not Jazz music. There is no walking bass line and no improvisation.
I hope you all will check out the full "Metroid Arrange 25th Anniversary Album." Thanks!
- Mustin on December 27, 2011
- ryankeeton on December 26, 2011
