ReMix:Final Fantasy VII "Suco de Melancia" 4:29

By Red Tailed Fox

Arranging the music of one song...

"Costa del Sol"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2008-01-11, evaluated by the judges panel


Right then - we're clearing up some logistical issues with Thieves of Fate, but in the meantime we've got a unique track from Voices of the Lifestream. Caio came through with a really distinct piece that lent the project even more variety. He writes:

"I almost called this song “Hojo is unavailable right now; please leave your message after the beep”. I mean, making port in a tropical resort after fighting a grotesque monster inside an evil organization ship is awesome in it’s own right, but meeting said organization’s own sick scientist chilling at the beach, surrounded by ladies and drinking cocktails (with little umbrellas on them) is actually the fondest memory I have from FF7. A memory which is probably distorted by the long time passed since I last played the game, but very dear to me nonetheless, so believe it not, this song goes for Hojo: even sick and disgusting evil geniuses need to take a break every now and then."

As a fellow evil genius, or at the very least an occasional ne'er-do-well of above average intelligence, I second that. Project Director Andrew Aversa writes:

"RTF was a welcome addition to the Voices project, and while his collab with Shnabubula was excellent, I thought Caio was really in his element with this ReMix. It's chill, smooth, easy listening with a definite bossa nova feel - a great interpretation of a source that was somewhat in the same vein. There might not be any big beats, over-the-top piano solos, or dramatic synth swells, but who needs that when you can have pure relaxation from start to finish?"

Who indeed? This is mellow to the Nth degree, introing with racing tones, then gradually building a lounge bossanova groove that really picks up at 0'48" with vibes right, comping EP left, and a jazz brush kit over the synthetic drum machine beat. Hell, there's even a clarinet solo that segues into a badass EP solo. Very Combustible Edison. Caio even drops a little Girl from Ipanema ref in there, as an homage to the whole vibe. Fantastic stuff!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Marmiduke
on 2010-03-29 06:11:27

A spiffy, tropical hotel lobby rendition on the theme. The instrument variation and clarity keep this from losing altitude and entering elevator music territory (although the cameo of 'The Girl from Ipanema' was probably too much, seeings as it is THE elevator song).

It's the little touches that make this such a success, though. Updated samples are one thing, but the small flourishes of arrangement really sell this. The overall piece doesn't sound that dissimilar to the original in terms of direction and flavour; instead it has been built on with some real nice subtleties and deviations. Probably overshadowed by a lot of other tracks on VotL, but still a great, laid back listen.

avatar
Emunator
on 2009-12-19 19:02:54

The minimalist intro threw me off a bit, but once you brought the funk, it came in spades! Very islandy, this is the kind of thing I can sit down to and feel perfectly at ease with. No glaring production flaws, a mellow-but-groovin' arrangement (especially at the solos!) I don't really have any bone to pick with this! I'll just throw it on and bask in the sunrays for a couple of minutes :-)

avatar
DragonAvenger
on 2009-11-29 19:43:51

Chill mix, chill vibes, nice sounds all through the mix. This mix brings out the flavor the the original and expands on it. The vibes really fit the tone, though I think they cut a tad too much compared to the rest of the soundscape. Just a tiny detail though that I can easily overlook.

Love the opening, and I really think you should have gone with your first title :P. Nice work, more people should jump on reviewing this.

avatar
KogeJoe
on 2008-03-28 22:37:46

I love me my Samba and Bossa Nova, and I've gotta say that this is a cool little mix.

I've always had this thing for the Costa del Sol theme, and I've often wondered what it would have been like and someone elaborated on it.

Nice work you have done. I ever recognized the Girl from Ipanema intertwined in there.

avatar
Vidilian
on 2008-01-18 09:27:26

Oh right, you're from Brazil. You're probably the perfect remixer to remix this then. You did a perfect job. I love laid back stuff.

avatar
Mr. Fox
on 2008-01-16 23:41:14
losing any stress you have the moment your first footprint is laid on the sand.

Funny thing, that’s exactly the image I had when I wrote this. And incidentally, the name “Suco de Melancia” (Watermelon Juice) is not inspired by the juice at all, but by the color of my girlfriend’s hair (which was red, but not actually RED, more like Watermelon Juice Red, if that makes any sense) at the time. Whole song is inspired by our daily life.

Thanks again for the kind feedback everyone.

PS.: BGC, I also LOVE freshly squeezed Mango Juice. I try to mimic it sometimes but all I get is a strange yellow… thing.

avatar
jayc4life
on 2008-01-16 10:12:53

This is one of the remixes I always go back to when I have Voices of the Lifestream on my MP3 player, The relaxed nature of it goes well with the setting of the original Final Fantasy 7's Costa Del Sol - as well as the real one! - lying back on the beach, lounging and instantly losing any stress you have the moment your first footprint is laid on the sand. It's very well done, and the instruments used really make the piece stand out in its setting.

avatar
Jaybell
on 2008-01-11 21:21:14

I really like Red Tailed Fox's music. It's always quite a bit of groovy. This piece, though not my favorite remix of his, is still awesomazing. Also I always end up humming along with the intro.

It's just so catchytastic!

avatar
XiaoXiaoNeo
on 2008-01-11 18:02:25

I've actually been listening to this song a lot as of late, and am really glad it got posted. Recently I've been checking out Red Tailed Fox's work and I have to say, it's awesome. Very mellowed and chilled. Great track, looking forward to many, many more.

avatar
anosou
on 2008-01-11 17:19:17
Hojo is not going anywhere either, man. I mean, would you? =D

So true. Hojo's da man. I love that he wears his labcoat on the beach :3

anyway, back on topic, great remix go go go

avatar
Mr. Fox
on 2008-01-11 14:24:54

Sure, this track doesn't really go places no track has gone before but it's a groovy, clean track that's great for relaxing. Sweet.

Hojo is not going anywhere either, man. I mean, would you? =D

I was quite happy with this song, it's probably the most personal ReMix I have ever done. Even tough I have a fair share of songs on OCR, this one marks my first 4Yes post, which (hopefully) means that I am starting to gain some consistency as an arrenger (something that was lacking in works like my beloved "Brinstar Bonsai Garden"). However, this IS quite old (I have a Remix waiting to be posted that is actually OLDER), so it might be time to put something fresh on air.

Thanks for the kind comments everyone.

avatar
OA
on 2008-01-11 10:53:22

Cute opening, and fantastic clarity on the vibe production. Arrangement-wise, it's everything you'd expect from something of the genre. Understated drums with some bongos, upright bass, vibes, and rhodes, but subtle synth flourishes and some delicate string beds keep things sonically unique.

The rhodes solo was really nice, and the clarinet meldoy before it helped keep things fresh. This is definitely a location track; as in, you'd really want this playing at a nice resort while you were sipping your own umbrella drinks, but it works outside of that context as well due to the care taken to each song element. Super relaxing, and funky in a playful way.

avatar
anosou
on 2008-01-11 04:57:44

Caio always makes enjoyable music. This is no exception.

Great production, great vibe and clever arrangement makes this a keeper. It keeps true to the original but in a way that enhances the feel of the orignal track, Costa del Sol. The electric piano soloing is amazing and the overall performance is very good.

Sure, this track doesn't really go places no track has gone before but it's a groovy, clean track that's great for relaxing. Sweet.

avatar
Sam Ascher-Weiss
on 2008-01-11 03:24:30

Go Go Go Caio!!!!!

avatar
djpretzel
on 2008-01-11 01:11:59

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Costa del Sol"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Mood:
Chill
Instrumentation:
Synth
Additional:
Regional > World

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_7_Suco_de_Melancia_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,879,192 bytes
MD5:
42b7e509d7f349e5c474005aeb8bb49f
Bitrate:
231Kbps
Duration:
4:29

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes