ReMix:Donkey Kong Country "Diddy Evolution" 2:43

By djpretzel

Arranging the music of one song...

"Theme"

Primary Game: Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo , 1994, SNES), music by David Wise, Eveline Novakovic, Robin Beanland

Posted 2001-08-06, evaluated by djpretzel


Okay, this was SUPPOSED to be my return to orchestral, as I had vowed not to do another technofunk / electro track until I had done something symphonic again. I blame the fine folk at Yamaha for making the Motif just too damn fun to work with, as I was sitting and started noodling and basically was FORCED into ReMixing this title track from DKC. Now, Scott Peeples and Prozax already did an ace job on this with their 'PheartheMonkey' ReMix. I loved it, and you should too, but I feel this is significantly different. For one, it's a cleaner, electronic technofunk sound, and in addition it places a little more emphasis on the melody. Some heavy groove drums with analog chirps, a pretty good distortion guitar that I throw resonance onto at points, a little analog lead, and a dominating 303 acid bassline are the primary ingredients. It's short, but ends tidily ^^

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Txai
on 2016-01-31 10:22:08

Superb guitar lead, which is often changing its synth design as the melody progresses. And that gives it a lot of life and expression. Not to mention the acid bass is yummy.

avatar
Cody Wedel
on 2011-07-24 16:01:30
I don't really have anything to say about the piece itself, though it is great! 8-)

But I'm just confused.. Why does everyone refer to this song as "Theme" when the real title is "Simian Segue"? Along with the jungle song, originally titled "Jungle Groove", yet it's constantly referred to as "DK Island Swing" which is the title of the map theme. It confuses me. Anyone have any answers? Or noticed the same thing? :?

Well, my guess is because that's what the official DKC soundtrack labeled them as. Proof right here:

dkjamz.jpg

^ as you can see above, it goes Theme, Simian Segue and then DK Island Swing in that order, implying that's the order they appear in the game. Hope that helps (:

avatar
Crulex
on 2010-02-18 18:00:25
I don't really have anything to say about the piece itself, though it is great! 8-)

But I'm just confused.. Why does everyone refer to this song as "Theme" when the real title is "Simian Segue"? Along with the jungle song, originally titled "Jungle Groove", yet it's constantly referred to as "DK Island Swing" which is the title of the map theme. It confuses me. Anyone have any answers? Or noticed the same thing? :?

First, I agree. This is a great piece DJP! It does focus on the actual theme and I like that about this mix.

Second, I have noticed that, and while I don't have 100% anwsers, my guess would be the same as DKC2's soundtrack names. Some places name the track on the level or something like that, and others have the real name. This causes confusion and most people take the one that sounds the best. This is probably something like that. Like I said, that's just my guess.

avatar
SynthetiK
on 2009-07-30 13:21:09

I don't really have anything to say about the piece itself, though it is great! 8-)

But I'm just confused.. Why does everyone refer to this song as "Theme" when the real title is "Simian Segue"? Along with the jungle song, originally titled "Jungle Groove", yet it's constantly referred to as "DK Island Swing" which is the title of the map theme. It confuses me. Anyone have any answers? Or noticed the same thing? :?

avatar
sonic.penguin
on 2008-03-04 19:33:43

I've listened to ocremix for a long time and finally joined, this is my first post!

At any rate, something in this track sounded familiar, i can't pick it out but i think it might be from double dragon battletoads. I remember that whole game had pumpin music, id just play it to hear those loops again.

avatar
OA
on 2008-02-05 11:57:51

Pretty cool soundscape, the fact that the synth guitar sounds very un-guitarlike actually is a strength, and gives the mix a lot more longevity. Sortof like that uncanny valley concept, only for sound. Another thing going for it is the large amount of modulation on it, and some judiciously-used effects.

The lead switches up for a few renditions to keep things fresh, and underneath is an understated beat as well as a synth backing that bubbles up, as if the whole song was a big pot of delicious Diddy Kong stew (which is more than he deserves, the little bastard).

I think the lead synth guitar sounds better than when it is used in a rhythm context, but for being as venerable as the mix is, it stands up pretty well. Some more variation in the sections would have improved it, but it's still very listen able.

avatar
Navi
on 2005-10-16 14:06:35

Another classic djp song. I love that acid bass and the coverage of the theme is so damn funky. Not a big fan of PheartheMonkey - for my "Theme" coverage, this mix rocks me.

Crazy, semi-goofy synths (an early djp staple) combined with that intense fucking bassline, wailing guitars that chug and gate all over the place (omg protricity). This mix is short and sweet.

Classic and solid.

avatar
Bummer
on 2005-09-29 10:11:52

Donkey´s stereo has gone haywire! AAAH!!

Seriously, I like techno, it gives away different feels, but this was way to funky for my part. :whatevaa:

avatar
Luigi-waluigi
on 2005-05-24 13:40:23

Awsome!! thats all i cn say :mrgreen::mrgreen:

avatar
Mary_mari
on 2004-11-02 12:21:20

I could just...just EAT this song. I thought it would sound corny w/the guitar, but uh-NO. It is awesome. Those fade in, fade out effects are to capture and immortalize until...the end of...time, sure. But, heck, I was pre-partial to this song cuz it's title is "DiddyEvolution"! When I was a tiny girl, I had a freakin' crush on Diddy Kong...how sweet/creepy :wink:

~^~Mary_mari's seal of approval~^~

avatar
Rowan
on 2003-07-26 14:51:46

I love it. It fits the midi. Makes me wanna play it again. . . :)

avatar
Pagerot
on 2003-07-24 21:44:15

What a great remix! You just gotta' love when the guitar pops in. Overall a great remix, who everyone should get!

avatar
Krythan
on 2003-05-26 22:11:18

One of my favorites, its just awesome. Great job djpretzel!

-Krythan

avatar
Ultimo Hedgehog
on 2003-05-12 19:15:50

I'm usually a ambient type guy, but this one really caught my eye! Even caught my ear's eye, if you will! Comes in on the classic DKC intro and then launches with electric guitaring into the title song. Pretty danged good stuff DJ Pretzel! I look forward to reviewing more!

avatar
Icy Guy
on 2003-04-05 23:26:54

What's not to like/love? The synth work is excellent, especially the main background synth. I call those "watery synths," because...er...I do. :wink: My favorite part is probably the section from 0:44-1:58, since the new melody there just fits perfectly. 10/10

EDIT, a year and a half later: "watery synths." Hah. "acid synths," more like.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo , 1994, SNES)
Music by David Wise,Eveline Novakovic,Robin Beanland
Songs:
"Theme"

Tags (9)


Genre:
EDM,Trance
Mood:
Happy
Instrumentation:
Electric Guitar,Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Effects > Distortion
Time > 4/4 Time Signature
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Donkey_Kong_Country_Diddy_Evolution_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,677,226 bytes
MD5:
41114f9969632d3090caac98572c8c31
Bitrate:
175Kbps
Duration:
2:43

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes