ReMix:Super Mario Bros. "Super Mario Blues" 4:07

By Neskvartetten

Arranging the music of one song...

"Overworld BGM"

Primary Game: Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo , 1985, NES), music by Koji Kondo

Posted 2006-10-14, evaluated by djpretzel


AmIEviL, Game Over, and Neskvartetten - Sweden seems to kick disproportionate amounts of musical posterior when it comes to game music arranging, particularly in the jazz and rock arenas. All three of those names are ABBA-sized powerhouses on OCR, but it's the latter who's latest mix breaks with their trend to date of only mixing Zelda themes. Granted, they've stayed safely within the Nintendo camp, but their group name translates to the "NES Quartet" (or something like that), so homage to the Big N is part of their stated agenda. You've got to love the immediacy of the live performance, here, highlighted by an audible count-off, presumably by the drummer Lucas Edman. Every member of this group is a truly impressive musician, and furthermore they all play off each other the way only a group of artists who've worked together for awhile can. It's very symbiotic, and it's the hardest single thing to try and emulate when doing a jazz arrangement all by your lonesome. The theme here is arguably the most recognizable piece of game music in existence, so it's interesting to see what the Nes4 are able to do with it; needless to say, it's somewhat more believable and professional than my own rather antiquated effort ;) A lot of the groups previous arrangement's have heavily featured jazz organ and/or saxophone, but in this instance it's a fret-fest all the way, with guitar dominating throughout. The pared-down instrumentation is probably more in keeping with blues as opposed to jazz arranging, although this still sounds rather jazzy to mine ears. Everything these guys have done to date is gold, and this doesn't break that streak, so it's a no-brainer for our jazz and live music afficionados or anyone interested in seeing how flexible Kondo's plumber's music continues to prove itself.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2023-09-04 17:56:09

Yeah, really getting the lounge or live band bar-like diner vibes from this mix, like a neat jazzy jam just going on. Nothing really caught me off guard or anything, so all in all, a very nice mix.

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duskvstweak
on 2019-05-24 16:28:07

A track included in my OC ReMix Favorites playlist.

I'm not a huge fan of jazz, but I've always liked how smooth and relaxing this track is, from start to finish. It's such an easy song to pick as your first song of a long night of listening. The 1-1 track from the first Mario game is one that lends itself to jazz easily, but this one is just so successful in it's intention, you could easily fit this into a smokey lounge and not bat an eye (aside from all the smokey getting in your eyes).

This is one of those mixes that doesn't break the mold but fits into it so perfectly.

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Jack Polo
on 2009-12-21 16:37:32

I agree with OA concerning the drums' volume; it could stand just a slight drop in volume. As it stands, however, this is yet another warm-sounding, outstanding offering from Neskvartetten; possibly my favourite out of all of theirs so far, actually. So seamless and smooth the whole time... a staple of OCR jazz, definitely.

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OA
on 2009-06-18 10:47:05

Good stuff, a great room sound and a nice feel. Drums could have come down a bit in volume and it'd have been perfect, but this is really enjoyable.

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42
on 2008-12-15 22:57:58

I'm already a big fan of jazz, so this mix is twice over one of my favorites.

Even if this wasn't a video game arrangement, it's still some of the best jazz evar.

Plain and simply smooth, classic, and nostalgic.

An absolute must download for the jazz and/or Super Mario Bros. theme lover.

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meccaneer
on 2006-12-20 23:11:22

Yeah, buddy. You do good work, Neskvartetten. Next time you're in Minnesota, hit me up and we can jam the night away.

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Goten X
on 2006-11-01 15:25:20

... Pure stroke of genius. This mix rocks, and would be a great idea to apply to other well known video game songs.

|GX

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A-RoN
on 2006-11-01 12:55:35

Yes! They're still comin' back with the Vince Guaraldi soundings! Keep up that very smooth "New Orleans'-type" a jazz!

10/10

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CC Ricers
on 2006-10-28 23:04:49

Wow, these guys are real good. I love the warmth to the sound. I don't get to hear that too often with OC remixes.

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po!
on 2006-10-26 00:39:46

gooood stuff as always from neskvartetten.. love the Scofield-izms :D

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isthan
on 2006-10-22 13:24:51

Neskvartetten har gjort ett bra jobb igen. :D

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Kanthos
on 2006-10-20 09:04:20

Two things typically make up blues music: the 12-bar blues chord progression and the style and theme. It's probably safe to say Neskvartetten is much more of a jazz band than a blues band, but many jazz artists play songs in a 12-bar blues pattern, and in the jazz world, use of the term blues generally means just using the 12-bar pattern.

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Blake
on 2006-10-19 16:55:47

Wow this is awesome. I really like the way you changed the progressions. :D You've honestly turned it into a great jazz improv song, bended to your will. Great stuff.

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ktriton
on 2006-10-19 16:28:02

John Scofield, much?

A+, guys! Really, phenomenal stuff!

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Ness757
on 2006-10-17 23:23:07

Are you sure this mix wasn't supposed to be on OLremix? I'm not feeling this mix at all. It sounds off-key and out-of-synch. Like Mario was high on shrooms when he started playing.

Hey, wait a second...

that was the point, wasn't it?

In that case, good job. :D

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo , 1985, NES)
Music by Koji Kondo
Songs:
"Overworld BGM"

Tags (2)


Genre:
Jazz
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electric Guitar
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Super_Mario_Bros_Super_Mario_Blues_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,157,464 bytes
MD5:
2b33ff223cb0206abd03b1baf1704990
Bitrate:
196Kbps
Duration:
4:07

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