OceansAndrew Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Paneled to make sure there is enough dominant source ReMix: "Smooth Steel" ReMixers: zircon, Malcos Game: Mega Man 2 Source: Metal Man ---- This mix a real blast from the past. I made the instrumental in 2006 as the source material for the first "VOCR" competition (Vocal OC ReMix), organized by Jill (aka pixietricks). The idea was that everyone competing would write, arrange and record vocals atop a premade instrumental ReMix. Malcos' entry was this track, "Smooth Steel", which I think has some great lyrics, a killer vocal arrangement that meshes very creatively with the Metal Man melody, and excellent vocal performances. My production may have improved since I first made this instrumental, but I still think it holds up after all this time. The style I was going for was R&B/smooth jazz in the vein of Paul Hardcastle, who, at the time, I had just discovered. Malcos' smooth vocals fit perfectly on top of my arrangement, and while I might do things differently today, I really like how this collab ended up. Enjoy! ---- Lyrics: There's nothing you can do to me You've inflicted all the pain That you ever will, and now I don't want to see your face Every second I think about you is Time that I waste There's a smooth steel cage Around my heart The first time you almost got in and that's why I gotta forget about you Gotta leave you far behind Gotta keep moving forward Girl I've got a Smooth steel Cage wrapped around my heart It's not made of stone That can be weathered away Dead cold As only steel can be There's no emotion to see And it's all because of you I don't wanna be your lover I don't wanna be your friend Don't want to be undercover I'm so glad this is the end, girl You don't seem to understand That all you've caused me is pain All you care about is yourself I don't wanna go through that again I said... I don't wanna be your lover I don't wanna be your friend Don't want to be undercover Girl I've got a Smooth steel Cage wrapped around my heart It's not made of stone That can be weathered away Dead cold As only steel can be There's no emotion to see And it's all because of you Don't try to get me back It won't work Don't try to call my friends They don't care No one can do the things You did to me I said I'm dead cold As only steel can be There's no emotion to see And it's all because of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansAndrew Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Super awesome arrangement here, once the chorus hits, it's all smooth source sexiness. Great vocal takes, solid harmonies, and the backing track is really good as well. Pads fill out the back nicely, and the piano provides a subtle counter-melody. My one concern is that the original melodies are a little prominent in the verses, but it's still apparent throughout that it's the metal man theme. Overall solid stuff, Malcos is a singing sensation, and Zircon was still awesome even 4 years ago, when I was just a scrub trying to figure out how to make phat beatz online. Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonAvenger Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Man, Malcos' entry was my favorite back during the VOCR competition, and it blew my entry out of the water. Malcos' voice is decidedly sexy, and he did some awesome work on not only the original melodies and harmonies, but the lyrics themselves, which I don't think any of the other entries really matched up to (mine included). I agree with Andrew that the original melodies can be a little prominent over the source at times, but it's a pretty small issue. Other than that, nice work, and I'm glad this finally made it's way to the inbox! YES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Feelin' it. My only issue is that the liberal e-piano take on the melody that backed up some of the more wholly-original sections got marginalized, almost to the point of being inaudible. But what I could hear was more than enough combined with the overt source usage to be comfortably above the bar for the arrangement. I thought Stephen's vocals were a bit too upfront, but again, not a huge deal. His chorused vocals are awesome, particularly the choruses; it's a staple of his music, so anyone reading should definitely check out all of his originals. I'll also point out though that he has an incredible knack for penning lyrics about ladies. Smooth stuff from 2 OCR all-stars. YES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHz Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 You guys are missing out. I am definitely not passing up a chance to NO zircon. NO (for real though I guess I have to YES this on account of it being so smoooove, the source is definitely shoved out of the spotlight during the verses by the prominent original vocals, but the choruses are hotness, and so smooooooooooove) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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