ReMix:Mega Man 3 "Blue Reflection" 5:03

By injury

Arranging the music of 2 songs...

"Ending", "Proto Man's Whistle"

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

Posted 2002-10-25, evaluated by djpretzel


You have to love starla. Well, you don't HAVE to. In fact, if you do, Hazama may kick your ass. Let's just say "appreciate" and move on - Injury's been contributing to OCR for a long time, and has taken risks and brought a unique style & sound with many of her varied works. For those following the OCR timeline and canon like a hawk, this latest Mega Man 3 ReMix probably strikes the closest resemblance to Injury's Earthbound ReMix with aquas, in that it's down tempo and has a somber feel to it, but most noticeably in its inclusion of extensive vocals sung to original lyrics - woo haa. Enter with a lonely saxophone, completely reminiscent of an old-fashioned noir detective flick, then turning to piano and cello, which carry the bulk of the track underneath starla's vocals, coming in close to the end of the first minute. Now, this is a tricky vocal - I've bitched about having to sing upper-register vocals originally written for females, but neither of them had intervals like this. To say starla carries it off like a Maria Callas would admittedly be an overstatement, but given the range and key changes and intervals I think she does a damn good job. Most importantly, she brings emotion and a sense that she means the lyrics she's singing, which are rather good - they work fluidly with the song, with no words or phrases sticking out at odd angles. Takes a lot of guts to do vocals on an exposed instrumental track like this, esp. when the melody is hoppy and doesn't stay put. Kudos in the abstract for taking the plunge and trying something tricky, and more kudos for - by my measure - pulling it off. Not your typical ReMix fair - a bit more personal and introverted and heavily emphasizing the vocal element. If you dig vocal tracks in general, and especially slower, more reticent and slightly jazzy trio work, this is right up your alley. Injury has taken a piece and just about turned it on its head, creating something entirely new and far more emotional but still containing the guts of Bun Bun's flexible work. Recommended.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Proven Paradox
on 2011-06-27 04:23:27

Am I the only one who was incredibly disappointed with that sexy, sexy saxophone faded out for the piano? A Staffroll/Protoman remix of JUST THAT would totally make my day. This... doesn't really do it for me beyond that. If the volume was balanced, perhaps I'd still want this, but as-is, it sounds like the singer is just mumbling most of the time.

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MechaFone
on 2010-12-07 17:10:57

I've always thought the vocals in this song were well thought out. Very emotional and, as OA stated, with conviction. The sound wasn't that great, but the excellent vocals and the lyrics behind them made up for it. Classic!

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OA
on 2010-09-01 16:05:01

Production isn't up to her stuff these days, since her voice is a little buried, but this is a pretty classy arrangement that still works well, and the lyrics are also good. The additional sections are seamless with the original source, and I really wish that I could hear her a little better, because the vocal performance is pretty emotional and has a lot of conviction behind it.

Check this one out for sure, it's still very good despite a few minor flaws.

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Oni865
on 2010-04-12 19:32:57

I love Starla's voice. Really liked the song, it had a nice feel to it. Can't seem to find the lyrics anywhere.

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Emunator
on 2009-12-19 03:45:06

Beautiful, haunting instrumental elements that linger in the air like a haze, it feels like some of the ending songs to Metal Gear Solid that have that downright moody feel to them, but how you interpret the specific mood of the song can vary from person to person. If there is one thing that I think we can all agree on, though, is that this is emotive. You can argue mixing and performance quality as much as you want (I had a few issues with the technical aspects of the mix as well, but I'm not going to get into them since this is an old mix and I know starla has greatly improved her craft since 2002) but you can't deny that the remixer poured her heart out into this one.

Give this one a shot; you might find that the age of the song is a little off-putting but I still found it highly enjoyable for all it was worth :-)

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juanduran1
on 2009-12-09 21:15:26

of all the Protoman remixes i heard, this one is not only the best i heard but also the most soulful. it not only conveys the mysterious nature of the song but also the lonelyness of it. (forgive my bad spelling and grammar.)

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metalsnakejuice
on 2009-05-15 11:09:18

WOW, this song really has a soul to. The saxophone was perfect for it.

Good Job.

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big giant circles
on 2008-11-06 13:12:15

ditto. Permutation is going to kick his arse.

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Liontamer
on 2008-07-13 18:05:09
I'm sorry that my feelings on this song as so contrary to those of the rest of you, but this is just a bad track.

She cannot sing.

It can't be said any more plainly than that: she doesn't have talent. Oh, sure, she's in key, but that's about it.

To put this into perspective, she's a week one American Idol cut. No, she doesn't even make it past the first round. No trip to L.A. No second look.

The song would be better off without her. If that fact sticks in your craw, so be it. Not every review has to be sugar and lolly pops. I believe the 'house special' here on OC is honesty, and that was it.

Kind of ROFL to read that, because a certain singer has got an amazing vocal performance that's waiting to be posted, collabbing with another ultra-talented female newcomer. And there's some post production, but you don't get anywhere without the raw materials being good.

I thought "Blue Reflection" was pretty solid for the time. The vocals just should have been better positioned in the soundfield.

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ShrikeArghast
on 2008-07-13 15:02:01

I'm sorry that my feelings on this song as so contrary to those of the rest of you, but this is just a bad track.

She cannot sing.

It can't be said any more plainly than that: she doesn't have talent. Oh, sure, she's in key, but that's about it.

To put this into perspective, she's a week one American Idol cut. No, she doesn't even make it past the first round. No trip to L.A. No second look.

The song would be better off without her. If that fact sticks in your craw, so be it. Not every review has to be sugar and lolly pops. I believe the 'house special' here on OC is honesty, and that was it.

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Magnus
on 2007-12-12 14:50:13

This is the best remix on the entire site, but there is one problem. The posted lyrics only go about half way through the song. Does anyone have the rest of the lyrics?

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Liontamer
on 2007-10-05 16:17:31

If I had any practical arrangement or vocals skills whatsoever, I would do a ReMix of this ReMix. I already have a concept in my head. It would be the greatest ReMix in God's creation.

I agreed with the criticisms of too much reverb and Starla's vocals needing a boost to cut through the soundscape more. Nonetheless, excellent stuff. That was the REAL birthday review, Starla.

Why, oh why will you not make anything new? Even just on the vocal side! :'-(

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Flashdance
on 2007-08-12 15:33:01

Dear Injury,

I have heard your song and it's perfectly describing how I'm feeling...over a lost friend, that I may no longer see. The fantasies I have been imagining, in the eyes of Mega Man, often bring me to tears when I play your song,

The saxophones and the starstriking blend of piano and violin make this song truly worthy of the "Protoman Whistle" concerto from Mega Man 3. Although I long to own the game from a gamestore, I think that when I pick up an old game like "Megaman", I think of the virtue, the teachings, in life and society.

Thanks so much for helping me (indirectly) to describe how I feel. I thought of asking you to email me, but it really depends on what the admins thoughts of that are.

NS

PS I am starting to cry again just thinking on it. I wrote a poem describing my feelings. It's called "Friend of Time" and is a personally heralded poem. This should be read...could you email me @ phantomflashdance@hotmail.com?

Acquaintance, fan and all-around Megaman Fan, Kitsune Man. (Dame Alterna, Nintanda, I have lists of nicknames I use).

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Cheska
on 2007-06-25 16:24:10

A soulful...beautiful remix of an Inspiring Megaman tune, The opening makes you really feel and remember the game, To me makes me recall the few but sad moments in Megamans history such as Protomans Defeat where we all believed him to be gone for good, And the Vocals, Forgive me for not knowing who the singer is but the voice really speaks to me if not us all with that slow jazzy sound that I personaly think can speak to us all if we merely take the time to listen, Please Keep up the good work and contenue to share with us all, Thank you for the simply wonderful remix.

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Kurokun1293
on 2006-02-14 01:05:31

Beautifull. Soulfull. Its got a saxophone. What more needs to be said? If you hate this song, you have no heart. This is just an excellent remix. PERIOD.

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
Mega Man 3 (Capcom , 1990, NES)
Music by Harumi Fujita,Yasuaki Fujita
Songs:
"Ending"
"Proto Man's Whistle"

Tags (8)


Genre:
Mood:
Sad,Solemn
Instrumentation:
Cello,Piano,Saxophone,Vocals: Female
Additional:
Lyrics > Language: English
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original

File Information


Name:
Mega_Man_3_Blue_Reflection_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,155,884 bytes
MD5:
f8b5fc6f177efcf19b4e893008f3b162
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
5:03

I feel there's something deep inside
of your lonely heart
and it seems so desperately
to call away, tear you and I apart

I fear there's something hidden there
slowly killing you
But to know is half the deed
to rescue you

Will you take me to the place you used to visit in my arms?
Will you take the only place beside me at my right-hand side?
Can you tell me, whisper in my ear, how much you love me so?
'Cause if you can't, I will not breathe you anymore

I feel there's someone kissing you
right behind my eyes
and it seems
I never want to open them

[Chorus]
That lonely place
That barren place
Only one resides inside my heart

That lonely place
That horrid place
Only one could tear me this much apart

Please rescue me
Please set me free
because I will not let you go

Please take me inside your arms
and tell me tenderly
"I cannot go," please

I feel there's someone taking you
outside of my grasp
and I wonder it's unwanted or
if it's from a welcome touch to you

I fear there's someone killing you
right before your eyes
but your will being defeat
will not let go

Could you spend a little time, perhaps the distance will tell you?
Could you take a little while? Sometimes you only need a few
Will you stop the game and love me every moment of the day?
'Cause if you can't, I cannot breathe anymore

I feel there's someone using you
right in your clear view
and it seems
that you don't want to stop them

[Chorus]
That lonely place
That barren place
Only one resides inside my heart

That lonely place
That horrid place
Only one could tear me this much apart

Please rescue me
Please set me free
because I will not let you go

Please take me inside your arms
and tell me tenderly
"I cannot go," please

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