K.B.

Excellent! More Vurez! You have tough competition on Type-1, so while I can't say offhand that your take is my favorite, it will most certainly get several more listens. Unique and, as always, well-executed. I'm not versed in my Russian dance, but to an uninitiated the ethnic flair in this is delightful. I hope you get back in a regular swing of remixing! You're one of, oh, maybe five at most, remixers who are so consistently awesome that I've kept every single remix they've released (your MM6 album posts in ocr directed me to your webpage, and for that I am thankful). Esoteric compliment, I know. At any rate, you have another fan. So thanks for the new remix!

This feeling?

Ha at the OCRPG for this being the desert music. Ironic immortalizations... This review thread doesn't have ten+ pages... why? It's McVaffe. It's IceCap. People, what are you waiting for? I don't care that reviews didn't exist until more than a year after this was released - come back and give this its due recognition! Then again, I couldn't give this an impartial review if I tried. My harp bias is even stronger than my piano bias (and yes, that is frighteningly possible), and here we have both! Though, even then, 'it's all in how you use it'. But oh baby is it used. I know you all have ears, but let's do a play-by-play together to fully appreciate this. It opens with harp and synth, working first melody and (initial) bass line, respectively. Drums enter, transitioning from muted to open. While that's happening, flute is layered on top, playing the main melody (over the harp for some nice counterpoint action), and the drums culminate in a hi-hat pseudo-break. New loop: everything returns (with the hi-hat action), and another, deeper synth fades in - with its own line, of course - to round out the low end. This time around, the harp gives way to flute so the main melody is emphasized; and then, as the piano takes over for the flute, the higher-pitched synth rises for more even more melodic emphasis. But that's not all! After the return to harp, another, somewhat wah-wah-ish, synth line is added. The deeper synth exits for four measures ahead of time, lightening the sound for one of McVaffe's hallmarks: a sexy breakbeat solo with some nifty panning. But it's not just a drum break, it's also a segue to a few lone piano notes, where that lovely echo is given a chance to resonate. Then, slick as can be, the harp starts playing behind the piano. Oh and guess what: along with the wah-wah there's yet another layer of synth, this time slightly funkified. And a layer of glass music! The man never quits - not in layering or in ingenuity! Quick drum break and return to initial arrangement (with wah-wah and deeper synth included), but not without a twist, as the flute takes lead while the piano does a new interpretation that truly (ice)caps the mix. Then everything drops except the drums and the first two synths with an ending - drums and wah-wah only - that I swear was designed to be perfect for looping. Yes, it's beautiful trance. But it's intricately layered, deftly crafted, beautiful trance. This still, nearly nine years later, holds its own against the best. And it's still, by far, my favorite IceCap. My hat's off, McVaffe.

Thank you, this thread. Never would have thought to check versions. I'll make a note to use my FF Tactics CD as a coaster and fix up the better translation on my compy for when I get around to playing it.

Yeah, I've seen your name take up the vast majority of the reviews screen for some time now (obviously major props for that). It just seemed like too much of a coincidence... like you were lying in wait for someone to give that ninth review so you could BAM pounce and bring it into double digits. Which would have been hilarious. Oh and Liz, in case you were responding to my post, I meant a goal for reviews per remix, not per reviewer. As in, some remixes only have ten reviews, so do we want to set a goal to get that to twelve by the end of the month? To lucky thirteen? Last year the goal was ten and people dominated it. I brought it up because I thought it would be another cool thing to shoot for. A collective goal.

Before I read the lyrics, I assumed the singer was saying "Takes nothing to realize you're Ken". I mused on that for a bit, and soon the song gained a rather profound meaning. It was no longer pulling me into Ken's esoteric battle, it was showing me how my trials, while entirely my own, were only superficially different from the subject's. It was as if the song was actually a metaphor for the universality of the human struggle. Then I read the lyrics. And I lol'ed. May we continue to realize our Ken regardless. And twice on weekends. This song is iconic. If you have a playlist, let alone a computer, that this isn't on, then you are wrong. It's one solid rock track, and no matter how you hear the lyrics the whole thing is f-ing awesome. So... how's that Ryu Song coming along, eh jd?

So after looking at the two lists, jotting down which mixes I plan on reviewing next, I have one question. Just how has Bahamut managed to get exactly the tenth review on over a hundred remixes? That's... a very peculiar feat right there. Speaking of, any plans for re-instituting and updating the review goal for each remix? A dozen per, mayhaps?

Fix that. Right now.

The Coop has an updated version of this on his website. It's cleaner and the instrumentation is far more distinct. Go. I liked this a good deal on first listen, but hearing the source made me appreciate it even more. While there are aspects that are ignored - particularly a few licks that, as Gecko alluded, would make it a prime candidate for metal - the majority is kept and is stronger for the interpretation. The driving feel is retained: the drums are given a much-needed revamping, the bass line is enhanced, and the raw determination is made even more prevalent. And that background/atmospheric synth is absolutely clutch. To the detractors: the sound fonts are not simply 80s, they are updated throwbacks in the spirit of the game and of the system. Yes, there is roughness here. Rawness in imperfection, perhaps. But you can't keep a good remix down, and this one's got mettle. If 2:50 doesn't make you clench your fist, then there is no fight in you. This is my favorite of The Coop's remixes and, in my opinion, this still resides amongst the best that this site has to offer. And... just because it's Coop: nice remix!

Muh. K. First blood.

If adrenaline had an on-switch, this would be the trigger. Put this on for the first time over Thanksgiving in the middle of an unheard-remix binge. I promptly stopped what I was doing and set this on repeat. For upwards of three hours. I slept for more than 16 hours the next day. There may have been a correlation (more than could be accounted for by the tryptophan in the accompanying turkey binge). Now that my eyes have mostly contracted, I've given this a comparison to the source. It's all there and easily identifiable - perfect for nostalgia - but completely re-engineered and re-timed. To the former: while still evocative of the source, the sounds, the beats, and the effects (a highlight being the key-hanging/morphing effect that starts in at 0:45... chills of power down my spine) are distinctly original. And incredible. But the latter makes the remix as much as the former. The source leads from one section into another without pause. Here, for example, Beatdrop inserts the initial buildup (and layering instrumentation), and then the slowdown from 0:31 to 0:43 (with slow decay). Then the drag-out and slow buildup through 1:12. Completely re-timed, completely YES. That, along with the following let-offs and full, progressive comebacks absolutely make the piece. With a full onslaught that brings everything together at the end... and victorious decay. This is calculated retribution perfected.

So I had a post, deleted it after actually reading the op, and am now recreating it. Nothing against badges (not even a gratuitous quote), but wouldn't a regular sig also be cool? It wouldn't have to be updated since there are now badges, just an edited pic with December Is Reviews Month or whathaveyou. I suggest because I think it would be cool. And because I would like to have one. I've also been looking around for a sig pic since 9pm in anticipation so, if there's interest, here's my favorite: (Scar just got done reviewing Zazu) Would need a better quality snap, but you get the idea. Yes?

Oh no he... I'm going to give him hell for that. Edit: hell was given (or more precisely, shit, since I forgot I was supposed to be giving), and he had a good reason. Can't force inspiration (only perspiration... ok, I'll stop). Plus he's a freaking remix factory anyway.

Bumping in case this got lost in the shuffle. Thought of this while perusing remixes/remixers then found there was already a thread for it.

Damnit, Bleck. Now I gotta wait a week/month before seeing another Bleck post. Thanks, thread. Edit: I wasn't taking sides. Didn't mean to tick anyone off, just bemoan how there'll be a lack of Bleck for a while. So anyway, Dragon Age Origins...

Don't believe 'em, Coop. When I play it I save Aeris. It's really hard but you can do it.

Twice. And in Xenogears when Maria had to fight... and kill...... I still get misty whenever I play Stone Eyes or Flight.

http://ocremix.org/forums/member.php?u=31181 http://ocremix.org/forums/member.php?u=31082

A song for a journey... that's the first thing I thought when I heard this. Then I read the writeup. The imagery I was to post having been curtailed by what's already been said, I'll simply state that you've painted it masterfully, djp. Per the tag, yes, it's happy, but I think optimistic would be a better descriptor. Perhaps anticipatory, but not necessarily. Lighthearted, loving, longing, and a little aloof (with some absolutely accidental alliteration). It is as childhood innocence but recaptured in music... for those no longer children it's a reminder of the pure, simple goodness in life. And how we can, in spite of our hardships and any supposed jadedness, learn to live that way again. A song for a journey... of life. And I daresay that can be zen, if you choose to realize the joy to be found in every moment in addition to the potential of the future. And I daresay because that's where this remix compels me. Side note: I stumbled upon this while looking through remixes I've heard for ones that 'soothed the mind', for a thread (and lo' I find now that Arek commented on this one long ago!), and it caught me off-guard how perfectly this fit the bill. And how I've managed to be ignorant of it for so long. Though it took 'til the second listening-time around, this is now a favorite among favorites. Thank you, Mr Lloyd. Also, The Xyco's and Ventrex's reviews were ace. I've found that I repeated The Xyco quite a bit, so perhaps I should have read the reviews before writing mine, but I've said what I wanted to say.

I came.

I too thought house had the last word on this one. I was wrong. Not to take away from the grateness that is Walk On Water, of course. I also, stupidly, made that comparison on first listen. For the first half, the melody, while divided between sax and horns (and subdued keyboard - a very cool division of responsibilities), is nearly verbatim the source (akin to house's already somewhat jazzy take), but then I realized that there's a ton on the side. The background guitar and bass are exquisite (especially the guitar use in the intro, which was sexy as all hell), the lead guitar chimes in here and there, and then there's the call-and-response-ish exchange between sax and horns. All this gives the first half its own distinct and funky personality. And then it's the sax, guitar, and ooooh funk keyboard's time to shine. That's what it's about right there... with an incredible arrangement to boot (love that wailing sax!). Add in some classy distortion on the guitars with some nifty lead work and we're taken home. Congrats on getting posted on ocr, Dr Manhattan, with a most kickass debut. Always good to hear true talent from DoD make its way over here. Now, just upgrade those brass soundfonts!

Big ole' gap between the first and second album on http://ocremix.org/info/Albums. Encountered on both Firefox and IE. Screenshot: http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/kewlguy715/albumgap.jpg Different issue: missing a source on http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01909/. The source credited is correct, but - per the judges' thread and my own ear (by checking the source) - the second one is missing: Those Chosen By The Planet. Another incorrect source: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01086/. Per Miku himself (and again by me, checking the source), the correct source is Mabe Village. As I find these, should I post them here? I ask because these aren't exactly design questions/issues. Is there a more appropriate thread? I couldn't find one offhand; I'd be happy to create one if desired. And yes, I plan on finding more of these (should they exist) because I re-title every remix to include the source tunes.

My thoughts exactly! Glad you like it. Well... probably not. I concocted a shortlist today at work from what I have on my player (and added a few since), but I've thrown a lot of different genres in here. If you like the instrumentation in Latte, then definitely check out his collab with sephfire (first rec below); it has a different feel so it might not fit your mood quite as well, but it's still very good. I've toyed with the idea of making a Fatty Acid thread and asking for all his long-lost remixes. Perhaps I should get off my ass and do that. It's truly a shame how so much awesomeness by so many artists has been lost to time. Best bets: Fatty Acid and sephfire - Under A New Moon Blue Magic - New Beginnings Danneman & Silverknekt - Vampire Spanker (relaxing, not funny, as long as you can avoid saying "[...] with a spatula") Darke - A Deus Ex Harpa (Second Seal Mix) Darke - Stranger In The Desert djp - Twoson Hits The Road (holy crap I didn't realize how much I liked this until just now) JJT - A Day In The Life Of A Gambler (seconding Rozovian's rec) LousySpy - Blue Vacation (if you can overlook the... lousy... trumpet and flute sound fonts) Mazedude - Island Of Zeal (as much the source as the remix) mv - Cammy By Night (with a close second: Malcos and RTF - Army Girl [album link]) Tepid - A Rose For Zelda (too calm? too beautiful not to list) The Wingless - One Girl In All The World ToN - I Love This Radio Vampire Hunter Dan - My Home, My Friends Close calls: Blak_Omen - The Belmont Chill Darke - A Whisper And A Shadow Darke - Searching For Light Darke - The Beautiful Traveller (direct link) Darke - The Father Of All djp - Revival Day Impoetus (fast pace, upfront beats, but very, very cool vibe; it's a tossup) Gux - Darkworld Jazz halcyon (halc) - Marihana On My Mind (whatever, I love it) Joshua Morse - Marble Dash Mazedude - K-Pax For Evermore (seconding Rozovian's rec) (warning: Mazedude synths) Mazedude - Reich Lake McVaffe - IceCapped McVaffe - Jazzer Soul mp - Beginning Of The Fantasy NoppZ - 3 Ways Palpable - Twilight Of Ivory (grain of salt: this does it for me, but it seems I'm in the minority) Robotaki - Memorial Cathedral WIP (fucker needs to sub this) (same disclaimer as the djp track) The Pancake Chef - Dubbing The Body (as much the source as the remix) Ziwtra - Crash/Restore (album link) Zoltan Vegvari - Intro Jazz There's a slew of appropriate stuff, especially orchestral and solo instrumental, that I'm missing, but meh. It's a start. Also, goat. Soothe this.

I had to look this one up to get it. Wait... Heidi's hosting a show? Why did nobody tell me this before?!?!? Also: make it nice work!

djp - Dubnofantasyaloneman Edit: I almost hate to post it without trumpets and standards, my favorite remix, but it fits the bill. Fatty Acid - Double Tall Chrono Latte