ReMix:Mega Man 3 "Gemini Salsa" 3:00

By MkVaff

Arranging the music of one song...

"Gemini Man Stage"

Primary Game: Mega Man 3 (Capcom , 1990, NES), music by Harumi Fujita, Yasuaki Fujita

Posted 2000-10-17, evaluated by djpretzel


McVaffe is quickly becoming one of my favorite ReMixers, not the least because he takes risks and works in a variety of disparate styles that not too many people do or can. So big props to him (but ya haven't done hillbilly or space funk yet, so THERE!). This here be a SALSA, you heard me right, a SALSA MegaMan III ReMix, certainly our first but hopefully not our last if the quality is any indicator. People, this is BADASS. Techno has it's place, Jungle and House are fine by me, but when someone can do something in a totally different style and make it work, it's a very special thing. The latin percussion, the piano riffs, the syncopation, the sonic quality, and the pumpin' bass are ALL THERE. Yeah - you'll wanna grab this one right NOW.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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TheCD1
on 2024-03-24 11:33:44

The Gemini stage led to such great remixes, first this one by McVaff and then Po's later. This early tune still holds up, and then some!

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Crulex
on 2014-07-27 18:15:23
Of course, you know what would have been cool? If somehow it would have been mixed with DeeJay from Super Street Fighter's theme. It so lends itself to it.

I can hear where that could have indeed been done and yeah, that would have been cool. Still, it's pretty cool in itself how this source lends itself to this kind of arrangement. I like this so much more than the original, and whenever a ReMix can make me like it more than an original, I have to give it huge props. Nicely done, McVaffe.

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Polo
on 2011-06-14 01:45:34

I was listening to the soundtrack to Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters yesterday and I came upon Gemini Man's theme.* The song's beat, tone, and structure IMMEDIATELY reminded me of this ReMix.

. Coincidence? Or did McVaffe draw inspiration, however large or small, from that particular arcade tune? I guess the real question is whether this mix stands on its own, unique among other Gemini Lasers. And the answer is yes, of course. :P

Something about the tin-metal drums and the "just thick enough" bass makes me hungry. They sound yummy enough that I'm trying to close my mouth over them and gulp 'em down. Speaking of taste, the sparkles and shaker are like salt and pepper (condiments are complements). Piano bass notes (and doubled notes in a higher key) are the melody's guiding wheels, and chords and runs gracefully flex the arrangement's space of expression, which feels free in a relaxed tempo like this. And the flute lends an uplifting hand whenever it senses the other players need a break or two.

This sure tingles my taste buds. I could use some nachos and salsa right now.

*If anyone's curious, I was using M1, a neat little tool that can access the music from MAME ROMs, and Gemini Man's theme is song 16.

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Marmiduke
on 2010-08-12 09:21:15

Another very early McVaffe mix that raises the standards of what we consider to sound aged. This has withstood the decade since it was released with a lot of dignity, largely thanks to the amount of talent and prowess McVaffe had even back then.

I'm a big fan of the flute in this. It adds everything the mix needed, and sounds great to boot.

It's not that the samples are time-resistant; they are as archaic as you'd expect of a mix this old. But the way they are used and the strength of the combined product is pretty profound. The fact that everything that worked 10 years ago still works as it did today is almost unheard of. Only a select few mixers have managed to pull it off.

It's a really smooth blend of sounds with a nice pulse to it. It ain't salsa, but I prefer it this way anyhow. The only thing I'd change is the senseless fadeout.

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OA
on 2008-04-01 11:31:25

Barring the wrong bass note that hits twice (probably what the other reviewer mentioned at the :35 mark), this is a super-quality mix.

The flute is a nice lead, and the rhythm section keeps things solid and moving along. The piano is especially good, and even though the abrupt fade and lack of expansion holds the mix back, it's still stylistically a very good conversion.

I think a solo section (or a percussion solo even!) would have really improved things. :-)

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KogeJoe
on 2007-01-27 13:02:54

Of course, you know what would have been cool? If somehow it would have been mixed with DeeJay from Super Street Fighter's theme. It so lends itself to it.

Really liked the bass in this. Percussion does a good job too.

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Mini Mog
on 2006-01-08 22:45:04

This is FANTASTIC! I can't believe I haven't reviewed it until now. Ah I'm embarrassed! :oops:

From the opening beat to the piano, I have to say I love EVERYTHING in this song. The quality is excellent as is the genre. :wink: You don't have to be a fan of Mega Man to appreciate this!

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Jimstander Drago
on 2006-01-06 16:47:29

This is a delicious remix, It makes me thik of gemini man sidestepping back and fourth while the blue bomber is stunned as he slowly turns into two... and three... Mmmm It's so full of delictable latin goodness! Nice job, you never seem to disappoint McVaffe.

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Goten X
on 2005-12-31 23:52:40

I can't believe I only heard this remix by luck! There I was playing Mega Man 3 and Gemini Man's theme makes me want to remix it. I just had to see if there were any other versions of the song that I could listen too, and there it is! McVaffe, you've done it again, I love your work, and this song is just amazing.

Now, back to learning that flute solo....

|GX

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Bummer
on 2005-09-23 10:27:33

Very nice experiment from Vaffe that worked excellent, I adore the little flute solo beginning at 1:22, nice. Along with the piano, this is a remix that you can´t afford to miss. Thanks again McVaffe.By the way, anyone for a dance? Anyone?......Fine, see if I care!

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synthetic_realities
on 2005-07-26 16:58:40

This makes me wanna dance (which is bad, because I'm a terrible dancer)! Seriously, the bass line is laid back and cool, and you can't help but get into the rhythm. A strong mix!

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Liontamer
on 2005-04-03 07:20:55

Heh. Surprised this doesn't have more reviews. About 2 1/2 years ago, when I had a chance to listen to all of the OC ReMixes (back around the 700s) this was one of the mixes I really enjoyed from a game I had never played before. Definitely a very unique vibe relative to everything on the site, even another couple of years after I heard it. Always chill, always quality. Definitely check it out; McVaffe's rep is always solid.

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Shenlon
on 2004-05-29 17:44:31

The Gemini Man stage music was MADE for a salsa remix. It's also the best stage music in the game. :) McVaffe somehow makes it better with this mix, however.

It's strange, though, that the Gemini Man stage is the one with the famous graphical and sound glitch, where you can turn off the music. I usually utilize this glitch when I play, so I don't hear the music most of the stage. That's me, though, taking a cool glitch over cool music...

However, if it was McVaffe's song in the game, well... :D

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Longinus
on 2004-01-02 00:33:27

0:35 is badly dissonant, and I'm sure it's not intentional.

Other than that, I love this mix. The low techno-ey kick makes it not really salsa. Also the bassline lacked some nuances that I would have included. (But hey, I'm a jazz upright bassist) Overall this is a great remix. Highly recommended.

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Rize
on 2003-07-26 17:44:26

Gemini Salsa is just too damn cool. It's just what I like in a remix. The original song followed by some soloing.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Mega Man 3 (Capcom , 1990, NES)
Music by Harumi Fujita,Yasuaki Fujita
Songs:
"Gemini Man Stage"

Tags (12)


Genre:
Jazz,Latin
Mood:
Funky,Mellow
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Flute,Hand Drums,Piano,Strings
Additional:
Origin > Competition
Time > Tempo: Moderate
Time > Tempo: Slow

File Information


Name:
Mega_Man_3_Gemini_Salsa_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
2,961,684 bytes
MD5:
89b0c6e6cb357703f34780c36764ee21
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
3:00

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