ReMix:Diddy Kong Racing "Samba Primata" 3:37

By Guifrog

Arranging the music of one song...

"Everfrost Peak"

Primary Game: Diddy Kong Racing (Nintendo , 1997, N64), music by David Wise

Posted 2012-03-10, evaluated by the judges panel


Guifrog is awesome. Know why? I'll tell you: he's got a fearless approach to arranging - specifically w/ regard to instrumentation - that embraces different styles/genres. His 2010 debut, also from Diddy Kong Racing, mixed in some Bollywood flair for an Indian jam that made for a memorable, promising introduction to his approach. He follows that up with more from the same game, which is fine by me since it has an excellent, under-repped soundtrack. This time, though, he's going Carnaval, with a South American mix that might remind you of Rio (the movie OR the related Angry Birds game) - Guifrog writes:

"0:00-0:20 - Percussion intro.
0:21-0:32 - Source's 0:13-0:19.
0:33-1:00 - Source's 0:20-0:32.
1:01-1:20 - Source's 0:46-1:00.
1:26-1:38 - Source's 0:00-0:12 (or 0:33-0:46).
1:39-2:03 - Source's 0:20-0:32.
2:04-2:24 - Source's 0:46-1:00.
2:25-2:51 - Percussion break! *_*
2:52-3:03 - Original writing, transition to formerly unused part of the source.
3:04-3:16 - Source's 1:00-1:12.
3:17-end. - Source's 0:13-0:19.

E aí galera, como vai? \@/ This one has no big of a story inside. It's just about fun, carnaval and Brazil. :D"

Sounds good to me. At some point in my life I want to visit both Brazil during Carnaval & New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but I'm afeard events will conspire against this happening, so at least I can have a vicarious experience through music. I'd love to see more Latin/South American musical influences on OCR - 8 Bit Instrumental's 'Berinstar' was a great, more subtle example of how that can happen, but it's also cool to see complete, full-on genre pieces like this. Judges had some gripes, but one of the reasons we may see less of this genre is that it's harder to sequence convincingly and usually exposes the weaknesses of sample libraries, and I think Guifrog did a commendable job with that in mind. halc wasn't too fond of the trance lead employed, but otherwise dug it:

"gonna agree with the general minor concerns with sounds and sequencing, but overall this was pretty well constructed. the percussion was particularly nice. that trance/saw lead (at :47) you use in all your mixes always sounds out of place imo, but I can't say I've ever been a fan of that particular waveform. anyway, nice job with this. you seem to have good luck with DKR. :P"

Cain adds:

"This is almost what you'd expect from a modern dkr racing if they made one. Same silly feel but with better production. I feel there's enough to differentiate the two but the style mash can be a little jarring. You're not sure if it's meant to be carnival or like a salsa, then you have orchestral elements and a trance lead. It's a bit all over the place stylistically but it sounds okay and kept me interested enough throughout."

So, perhaps a little overboard on the mixed instrumentation, but I'd hate to see Guifrog go too far in the other direction, because I feel like one of his real strengths as a ReMixer is experimenting with a broader, more international palette than most. Anyways, this is a fun, percussion-heavy jam that runs with the concept and executes it with energy & style, again bringing something different, inspired, and FUN to the table.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 10 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Crulex
on 2013-05-02 11:37:14

Oh, this ReMix is so much fun. Bouncy and carnaval-like, and having those latin instruments sounding really good, it's one of those ReMixes that can get you to smile. I can hear the party/marching direction in this one clearly, and again, it's just a lot of fun to listen to.

avatar
Bahamut
on 2012-07-12 08:53:37

This game needs to see some more remixing love IMO - great soundtrack by David Wise.

It's interesting that Guifrog goes with a more South American influenced style here considering that the source material is for snowy levels. There is a fun parade-like vibe that emanates from this throughout, which makes the ending a bit disappointing to me personally. Otherwise, I love what is here!

avatar
DarkSim
on 2012-07-02 10:19:17

Finally got round to listening to this one! The DKR soundtrack is one I listen to quite often simply for pleasure, because it's that good. It's so nice to see Guifrog tackling these complex pieces with such enthusiasm and vigour, but reading his posts and submission emails, I get the feeling that it's a consequence and expression of his personality, and that shines through every one of his mixes. Purely joyful!

avatar
Daemos
on 2012-03-27 15:49:54

I really like this mix, it has a light feel that I find missing nowadays.

This does also have a "marching band" sound that I actually like almost, more like a Mardi Gras.

I hope to hear more from you.

avatar
Guifrog
on 2012-03-11 20:19:30

Wow, dude... Don't move me like that. Thanks! :3

Anyway, thought I'd come in to say something, as there seems to be a somewhat high demand on a DKR album: I agree that it should be done, and I'd LOVE to ReMix those tracks! Howev4r, I'm afraid I won't be able to do everything by myself...

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Emunator
on 2012-03-11 20:03:32

Guifrog's a personal hero of mine for many reasons, but his quirky musical style and his various tributes to the Diddy Kong Racing soundtrack are definitely one of the biggest reasons. This track is so unlike most of what you'd hear on OCR these days, and I can really respect the unique genre fusion and attempt to break out of the electronica-rock-orchestral triangle that seems to encompass the majority of the material that gets submitted to the site.

This is really good stuff man, don't stop :-)

avatar
MechaFone
on 2012-03-10 20:04:12

Great stuff, especially coming from an unusual style for the site. I really enjoyed it, made me want to break out my zumba kit (I kid, I really do) Thanks for this really enjoyable remix!

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Cash
on 2012-03-10 19:02:05

Congrats on getting another remix accepted Guifrog!

The trance lead sounds a little cheesy, but fits the style. It's great to hear another Diddy Kong Racing remix. A really fun track that immediately makes me think Brazil and Carnaval, as was intended. Nice!

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Thin Crust
on 2012-03-10 17:46:32

I swear I heard my high school marching band at some points.

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djpretzel
on 2012-03-10 17:29:37

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Diddy Kong Racing (Nintendo , 1997, N64)
Music by David Wise
Songs:
"Everfrost Peak"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Latin
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Synth
Additional:
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Diddy_Kong_Racing_Samba_Primata_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,065,943 bytes
MD5:
a8d05ab988e8088bcd9bc5c5747e13bb
Bitrate:
220Kbps
Duration:
3:37

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