ReMix:Beatmania IIDX 7th Style "Kick Your A" 4:47

By SGX

Arranging the music of one song...

"A"

Primary Game: Beatmania IIDX 7th Style (Konami , 2002, ARC), music by Reo Nagumo, Takayuki Ishikawa (I)

Posted 2004-04-15, evaluated by the judges panel


Our first Beatmania coverage comes courtesy of SGX, though apparently the original track by DJ Amuro also appears in DDR, yet was written specifically for these games and not a preexisting track as our standards stipulate. Introing with a nice orchestral landscape then quickly going dance industrial, there's a break towards the second minute where the short, staccato strings come back in and are eventually joined by ensemble legato strings and a delayed piano - then the beat comes BACK in and things really ring true to the title, with much A kicking going on. Nice rapid-fire filtering, but it's the psychotically quick piano that's just... all over the place... which sets things over the top. I especially dig how this mix changes from what's almost half-time at points to double-time at others. The ReMixer writes:

"I made this mix with two audiences in mind. Obviously, there's the game remix community, but I also have a following over at flashflashrevolution.com, so I tried to satisfy both groups. For the remixing doods, I put a lot of effort into changing around lots of harmonies, adding harmony to pretty much every melody that had none in the original, and created a new main melody (played by both the violin and squarewave synth). 4F73R M3 got some flak from people saying it wasn't different enough arrangement-wise, so I'm trying to prevent that this time. I tried to make all of these changes while still satisfying those less-skeptical FFR users who probably want to hear things they will recognize, so I kept the similar structure (slow section, then super hyper double time section) and kept the piano run similar-ish but with some extra, almost jazzy chords."

Though one judge noted an "off-key" piano, I'm thinking that's just the jazz voicings SGX refers to above, which sounded legit enough to me. There's clear effort to maintain the integrity of the original, again as described, whilst incorporating newstuffs that jive quite well and give the mix a manic/depressive relationship with perceived tempo. Good, intelligent dance/techno with a lot going on, in true SuperGreenX style.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Liontamer
on 2021-05-02 16:17:30
On 1/15/2010 at 1:36 AM, Polo said:

0:41 always sounds like "RCX" instead of "SGX" to me. But that's about the only awkward bit I can note in this magnum opus.

I don't think that's quite it, but this question's bothered me for years. Save us, @sgx, and confirm what that voice is saying! :-)

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Skyline Drop
on 2010-07-13 13:20:59

All the glitchy stutter edits and that wicked pitch bend around 3:33 really contrast with the softer orchestral elements in this one. A very dynamic mix overall :nicework:

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OA
on 2010-05-07 12:04:22

'A' is my number one favorite DDr song, and every time I see a machine and try to play it, I look for that song first to see if they have it. This mix is distinctly more slow paced arrangement wise, and at 5 minutes long, it'd be a super endurance run if the piano solo was any longer, but it breaks down to a really awesome swagger section, giving a new feel to the song. The synths are excellent, as usual, and the beats are really good.

I love the fusion of sounds, and it's a great, recognizable remix.

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Polo
on 2010-01-15 01:36:06

0:41 always sounds like "RCX" instead of "SGX" to me. But that's about the only awkward bit I can note in this magnum opus.

Percussion crashes the party like no one's business and synths jitter and glisten like they're getting buzzed/high. Every flamboyant part of the source is kept, but they're built upon in ways to give them even more oomph. For example, instead of echoed-into silence, low orchestral hums lurk in the shadows as violin quips lead the way back into hyperdrive. Also, the piano's freestyle run is wild enough in the source, but here, preparatory chords and a REALLY fast tease help launch it into a world of its own (so much that it hits higher notes at 3:25). And if that wasn't enough, the mix halts to take a deep breath at 3:33... and BAM! More ownage.

Definitely a trip. Would take it intravenously.

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Nutritious
on 2009-12-14 02:31:41

Having SGX do a beatmania track almost seems unfair. It's already laid out to lend to his heavy electronic style well and he takes full advantage of that here. String stabs are contrasted with the distorted industrial beats and synths very effectively here. SGX again shows how well he pulls off various glitching and effects seemingly effortlessly, however, he also shows that he can pull a bit of classical strings effectively as well. I was really waiting for things to kick in and wasn't disappointed when 2:39 finally rolls around. Not much to criticize here at all, this is a great song to listen to and very well executed.

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HappyHopper
on 2009-12-08 02:45:16

Mind Blasting... *Gestures blast motion originating from skull*

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FinalTrigger85
on 2008-12-29 20:00:41

I just want you to know that you have made my favorite ocr song since I joined. I used to listen to this song in my car god knows how many times.

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ChaosPlayer
on 2008-09-20 00:33:53

Classical, phenominal, slightly tech that fits just right, and yet very enjoyable to listen to. How do you people do it?! I love it with a passion.

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anto80
on 2007-07-31 13:17:08

I like your remix very much. I like the original 'A' a lot as well, but I think you managed to do better (musically). For a very long time, I though it was an original IIDX track.

Good work!

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camelchild
on 2006-04-12 16:28:41

I have heard this Remix about 50 times over, each time I go into a state of almost ecstasy at the sheer beauty this piece reflects. I can't get enough, and even then, it's all I'll ever want (for a long while). Kudos to you by the bucket loads!

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SirRus
on 2005-07-09 22:48:46

holy hell Danny. teach me how to do this shizz. this song seriously kicked my ass.

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zarvoxthezadvook
on 2005-07-07 22:23:38

Simply amazing. One of my favorite mixes. This remix is crazy awesome. Someone go make a stepfile for it. Now.

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okami_chi
on 2005-07-06 18:09:17

This has to be one of the best re-mixes i have ever heard... the layering on it is pretty much seamless, in the beginning the background strings are magnificent, and this re-mix never feels unbalanced as if one component is attempting to over-run the other, the build up to the climax is spectacular and the piano part near the end is well placed... over-all an awesome re-mix...

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Krisi
on 2005-07-05 18:12:48
Nothing else I can say man.... Im getting chills!!!!

Haha, I had them from the first note. A is one of my all-time favourite songs as it is. This remix does it MAD justice. They need this on the game.

...Just wow.

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Cjaysez
on 2005-03-12 04:14:59

Nothing else I can say man.... Im getting chills!!!!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Beatmania IIDX 7th Style (Konami , 2002, ARC)
Music by Reo Nagumo,Takayuki Ishikawa (I)
Songs:
"A"

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File Information


Name:
Beatmania_2DX_7th_Style_Kick_Your_A_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,829,726 bytes
MD5:
5f45986835e413e5e1aac40687a73e8e
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:47

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