ReMix: Dynamite Headdy 'Trouble Brewin''
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- Game: Dynamite Headdy (Sega, 1994, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): Flexstyle
- Composer(s): Aki Hata, Jun Irie, Kazuo Hanzawa, Nazo Nazo Suzuki
- Song(s): 'Hustle Maruyama (Maruyama Theme 2)'
- Posted: 2012-01-17, evaluated by the judges
In honor of our new workshop moderators (Flexstyle, Gario, Rozovian), we've got a TRIPLE MIXPOST TUESDAY for you, starting off with our first ReMix from Treasure's Dynamite Headdy, from Mike:
"Many moons ago, I was approached by Dj Mokram, and asked if I would be able to join his Dynamite Headdy remix album project. I agreed, of course, and promptly put everything off until the very last possible minute. When faced with an impending deadline, this is what I came up with - a frenetic, cheesy, happy hardcore remix of the chosen theme. OCR only has about what, two happy hardcore mixes in the history of EVER, right? I figure there's a void what needs fillin'.
Uh, yeah. This mix, or more specifically its title - most of the players of Headdy I've run into (me not being one of them, per my usual lack of classic gaming experience) know the character to which this theme belongs as "Maruyama." However, a quick Wikipedia search revealed that his American release name is actually "Trouble Bruin." The pun was too obvious NOT to make. Hope you dig it okay thanks bye."
Well, the pun was already made, technically... you sorta demade it ;) While it's all fun and games to us, I think having a headdy made out of dynamite would probably be not only impractical, but often tragic. Fortunately, it's fictional, and even better, the game had some catchy tunes to match the deep, twitchtastic game mechanics Treasure were ace at. This is definitely some hyperdrive, sugar-high, crazypants electronica, but while it's very speedy, it doesn't annoy me like most happy hardcore tracks do. Maybe I'm thinking of "gabber"... I give up. Point being, it's pumped up, but it's not obnoxious, which is excellent. halc writes:
"not a lover of happy hardcore, but I can't complain when it's this well produced. all the synths sound great (really love that centroid/pitch-shifting effect at 1:20, and again at 3:20), but the drums really blow me away. there's so much variation, but your ridiculous attention to detail is ever-present. excellent fills and buildups. the arrangement is pretty faithful, with a ton of personalization. would of slowed it down a bit personally, but again, I can't complain. nice work here."
DarkeSword adds:
"I love this. The energy is absolutely crazy in this piece, like a carnival on speed. I don't mind the dissonant section in the middle there; it's a good breakdown and separates well from the happy high energy stuff."
So if you HAD a launchable head, say for instance like Chuck D. Head, JAXSON deBOX, or this game's protagonist, I think this is actually really appropriate music for that type of decapitating & recapitating lifestyle. We the necked can enjoy it, too, as I think Mike put together a very solid, layered, jacked-up tribute to a great & previously unmixed Genesis gem.
Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the - Melodious Punk on May 13, 2013
- Crulex on December 12, 2012
This happy hardcore song does differ from typical songs in the genre with a more complex usage of instrumentation though, and a distinct lack of cheesy vocals. Just a fun listen overall!
- Bahamut on July 26, 2012
Dj Mokram;836919 wrote: famous remixers
Oh, come on, I'm not a famous remixers! :<
I'd have to, y'know, actually be famous first. :-P
- Flexstyle on January 19, 2012
Huge thank to Mike for not only taking valuable time from his busy schedule to join our modest unofficial project, but also for pouring his heart into this mix and doing justice to an obscure game, a wacky source and a downright crazy boss character. Even though he has numerous mixposts and is an amazingly skillful musician/producer, Flexstyle is one of the most down to earth, easy to talk to and work with artists on this site. I can only wish more famous remixers shared the same open-mindedness and unconditional love of VGM.
At first, Mike had a different, more progressive electro version in the works, that sounded like a mix of Masashi Hamauzu and Hiroshi Okubo. Dunno if mastering the DKC3 album had an influence on his decision to switch to a completely different direction, but it was undoubtely for the best. Backstage and SuperFinagler battles being high-speed chases sequences with frantic action and non-stop craziness, this happy hardcore rendition of 'Hustle Maruyama' fits the context perfectly. This reminds me at times of the Sampling Masters (Shinji Hosoe & Ayako Saso) with this magic and dynamic electronic alchemy that gets you pumped. The nice change of pace during the break at 1:41, with furious glitching breakbeats and nasty sturated bass, adds an underlying element of tension and unpredictability that suits the persona of Maruyama/Trouble Bruin perfectly.
Overall, it's a superb harcore-electro track, very uplifting and accessible, and a fitting tribute arrangement that can be (and hopefully will be) enjoyed by a wide audience, regardless of any prior knowledge of the game. :smile:
Don't forget to check the tribute album for which Trouble Brewin' was originally created, at http://kngi.org/dhsbp.
- Dj Mokram on January 19, 2012
They should play this mix in more clubs :P
- pu_freak on January 18, 2012
- Emunator on January 18, 2012
- uhhh6677 on January 18, 2012
If it's awesome, like this one, it's awesome.
Awesome track. Epic side-chaining too. You have the genre down pat.
- MaxFrost on January 17, 2012
- KyleJCrb on January 17, 2012
