ReMix: Battletoads 'Toads in the Suite'
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- Game: Battletoads (Tradewest, 1991, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Mazedude
- Composer(s): David Wise
- Song(s): 'Level 1 - Ragnarok's Canyon', 'Level Clear', 'Speed Bike'
- Posted: 2012-03-05, evaluated by the judges
What's THIS? Mazedude, with a funked-out, eccentric jazz/blues jam that's our first ReMix from the original Battletoads for NES? Yeah, that's what it is:
"Well, as many of you know, I draw on all manner of inspiration, sources, and genres. And, oftentimes a remix will emerge in a stylistic homage or tribute to such an artist. This here is another case of that, this time around honoring Michael Manring. For those of you who aren't familiar, he is an electric bass virtuoso, and a really groovy composer. He does things with solo electric bass way beyond what it's traditionally used for, including fun with chords, harmonics, and oodles of effects.
So, this here is a Battletoads remix in that same style, mixed with some jazz fusion and crunchy Mazedude goodness. The title is derived from a conversation I had in my college suite with bass player Chris Kuffner, who introduced me to Manring's music in the first place."
Interesting, because *I* thought the "suite" was a reference to the apartment in Seinfeld, since the funky bass here might remind one of the trademark slap bass grooves the sitcom made (in)famous. In that light, this really COULD be the perfect soundtrack to a bizarre mashup of the Battletoads & Seinfeld universes, which I suppose would either entail Kramer as a playable character in the game OR an ironic television show about amphibians doing nothing, take your pick. I think I'd choose the second, but it's a tough call. halc writes:
"as with most of Mazedude's recent stuff, I'm really diggin' it. crazy sound design. there are a lot of weird panning choices, with not much going on dead center, but I think it adds to the charm and gives the piece an interesting sense of space. although the Ragnarok Canyon bassline/progression struck me pretty quickly from the start, the source melodies are a little hard to place. but damn if this ain't a clever, nuanced arrangement, preserving the rhythms moreso than the actual note choices. ;) weird stuff. I like it."
Staple Mazedude quirkiness is in full effect, and it works perfectly with the source material & context, but what strikes me is the somewhat bluesier feel here, with the offbeats and what not, which is relatively unique for MD. Great to have more of David Wise's repertoire represented on OCR, great to be posting mixes from unmixed games, and ALWAYS a pleasure to hear more from Chris, whose unique style & attention to detail shines through no matter what he's doing.
Discussion: Latest 9 comments/reviews; view the FenixDown;846770 wrote: Sounds like it would fit in perfectly with the OST of Toejam and Earl: Panic on Funkotron.
Totally agree. I can just see this being used in that context and it wouldn't seem out of place at all. So deliciously funky and as far as jazz/funk fusion ReMixes go, this one is a toe-tapping keeper for sure.
- Crulex on May 2, 2013
- Bahamut on July 5, 2012
- Oecobius on March 11, 2012
- FenixDown on March 6, 2012
- Giga Bowser on March 6, 2012
- Darangen on March 6, 2012
djp wrote: this really COULD be the perfect soundtrack to a bizarre mashup of the Battletoads & Seinfeld universes, which I suppose would either entail Kramer as a playable character in the game OR an ironic television show about amphibians doing nothing, take your pick. I think I'd choose the second, but it's a tough call.
Haha, the second one had me cracking up as I read this. Nice one, djp!
But the vibe is spot on. The mix totally channeled Seinfeld to me, though i do want to check out Michael Manring's music now. This is some sick-nasty bass work here. Love it. And I love how the soundscape just bounces back and forth, back and forth... really fun stuff. Great work as usual!
- ProjectSpam on March 6, 2012
- Roto13 on March 5, 2012
