ReMix:Shantae: Risky's Revenge "Baal Bhaagna" 4:16

By Jake Kaufman

electronic strings vocals-female indian

Arranging the music of one song...

"She's Got Moves"

Primary Game: Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward , 2010, NDS), music by Jake Kaufman

Posted 2010-10-16, evaluated by djpretzel

Our first Bollywood mix (at least Bollywood-inspired), our first Shantae mix, and our first non-album mix (hatchet-burying Serious Monkey Business mix writeup here) from virt in a long, long time, I'm proud to release this truly inspired arrangement of music from the new DSiWare game Shantae: Risky's Revenge, by none other than composer Jake Kaufman himself.

I'll now repeat what many of you already know:

  1. Even if you've never played Shantae, don't have a DS, etc., you need to at least check out the game's music. Both the original GBC Shantae and the brand-new Risky's Revenge soundtracks are available for free on Jake's website, along with a lot of other great stuff.
  2. The game's getting unilateral, universal praise, so if you're on the fence or looking for a great action/platformer, GET IT.
  3. Even if you hate games, music, instruments, notes, puppies, and oxygen, I don't care, download this ReMix. You'll love it.

Jake made this one damn easy to write about, because it's friggin' brilliant. No need to speak in qualifications or hold anything back, I feel like it's one of his very best mixes, it's certainly unique to OCR, and it's a juggernaut of arrangement & production. It takes the overtly Eastern influences of the game's score, which is rife with catchy-but-intricate melodies to begin with, and dials everything up. Jake writes:

"Name means "Hair escape" in Hindi, but can also mean "Hair Whip". I'm obsessed with Bollywood soundtracks lately, it's absolutely insane how good they are.. it's almost hard for me to listen to anything else.)"

This comment, followed by listening to the mix, instantly made me want to check some more out myself. I'm superficially familiar with Indian Thriller and other Buffalax gems, but confess to lacking a general knowledge of "where to start" in terms of the best soundtracks. Maybe Jake or someone else can chime in on the review thread. The afforementioned hair whip starts things off with a whack, followed by action-packed sound effects that set the scene, then you got your tablas, unison string lines, strong downbeat, vocalizing, and... slap bass? Yes, there's quite a bit of 70's disco in this jam, too. And synths. And epic orchestral break with timpani build into tabla breakdown. Larry writes:

"The original tune, "She's Got Moves," was already really groovy. In particular, I loved the constant driving beat that anchored the verses. Jake's arrangement of it really took it to the next level, completely fleshing it out and nailing that Bollywood feel while fusing it with great electronic and orchestral writing. The vocals, the brass during the choruses, and the meaty bass work were all big boosts of ear candy. There's a lot to love here. If I didn't know Jake was so busy with his career, I'd be calling for a full-on Risky's Revenge arrange album. If you have a DSi, hit the shop NOW, grab the game and show some love to Jake & WayForward!"

It's silly great, is what it is. It's one thing to have composed this soundtrack in the first place - it's excellent, and absolutely worth your time and, if you so choose, a donation. It's another thing to have done this mix, in the time that Jake had (he cooked this up really quickly, believe it or not), and then yet another thing to have gone so over the top with it. Bollywood films, from what little I've seen, are pretty over the top themselves, and this ReMix really embraces that and goes to 11 and beyond. At the end, you almost feel like you've watched an entire movie - it's got that epic scope and surrounding, enveloping, overloading aesthetic. There's more to be said, but it all comes down to this:

This is a seriously badass ReMix.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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WesternZypher
on 2017-05-04 13:35:30

A bit late with well-deserved praise. One envisions a Live-Action Bollywood reboot with gratuitous backup dancing scenes :D

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Black_Doom
on 2014-12-30 03:34:33

This is truly Bollywood-inspired Indian action. Dat slap bass is so great, and the whole piece is very hot and very groovy. Sweet.

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Crulex
on 2012-09-20 14:18:01

This screams "Bollywood!" at the top of it's lungs. This is incredibly brilliant! I could just imagine this being used in a Bollywood film or something close to that. It's got action scene written all over it, especially from the intro and I just can't express how much this ReMix rocks. Love the use of the vocals as well. Recommended by far.

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Nobbynob Littlun
on 2011-08-04 18:33:45

Now that's what I call video game music.

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42
on 2010-12-26 18:53:16

I love this mix a lot; its one of those mixes that I would label as having a story to tell, especially with it's energetic pacing and a "go big or go home" feel.

My only complaint with this is a minor one: the intro police chase sound effects were never followed up on. I want to know what happens next, darn it!

But anyway, this is truly an amazing song, pure and simple.

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Marmiduke
on 2010-12-26 05:55:45

Good grief. What a flurry-kick of colour and spice... unmistakable Indian-influence, if not a somewhat cartoony version of Indian music. But hey, that's how I like my videogame mixes.

There's really not a lot to say, other than there is a lot to love here. The sound is loud and has some real weight to it, which is always a good way to win my undivided attention. Despite so much going on at any given moment, it never feels overly chaotic or strenuous to listen to. It's been masterfully produced, and is almost unrivalled in sheer thunderous rhythm.

If you just happen to be after a stampede of sound coming in from somewhere in central Asia, look no further. It's got hooky melody lines, neat sounding vocals and an assload of ethnicity working at once to form a must-hear mix. Love it.

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Emunator
on 2010-12-18 00:03:56

Not just you, Drew - I also had a problem with the volume level on the mix, it's definitely not easy on the ears. However, that critique aside, this mix is pretty much untouchable. Stunning sequencing, as I've come to expect from virt, in a much more unconventional genre than I'm used to seeing him mix in. That combination of virt's usual goodness with an unusual style that you don't hear on OCR everyday really makes for a memorable remix.

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Vyse of Arcadia
on 2010-11-09 23:32:32

I am reminded of tracks from mid to late 90s Sonic Team games. It's as if virt was channeling the ghost of Tomoko Sasaki (who isn't dead, actually, but still.)

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aceazure
on 2010-11-01 19:08:06

I've been coming back and listening to this again and again, I can say I'm hooked. I really love that voice, it sounds a bit artificial but in some mysteriously haunting way.

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Nutritious
on 2010-11-01 15:21:11

Man, this track is fantastic. Love the energy it brings and pacing. Whether or not it is "authentic", it definitely captures the movie vibe he was reaching for. I wouldn't have batted an eye if someone had introduced this to me as part of a film soundtrack.

Excellent work.

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Martin Penwald
on 2010-10-30 11:08:01
Excellent atmosphere, flow, and something interesting at all times, a solid melody, and great supporting parts. Samples and production are great, and it's got a great beat.

All of that. And more.

The intro is great and a lot of fun. 1:20 onwards has a very 70s TV show vibe to it; I could see Charlie's Angels (the original ones, of course) do some poorly performed stunts to this.

Awesome work.

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halc
on 2010-10-21 21:48:51

i like to think that I have a pretty high tolerance for loud volumes, but this track is dangerously loud at full volume. this is certainly, as djp put it, a 'juggernaut of production' but in comparison to some of the other high-volume guys like bLiNd and PrototypeRaptor, listening to this above 75% volume is unbearable. perhaps it's just me.

anyway, this mix (at a listenable volume) is incredible. virt always shows amazing versatility as a musician and I hope that we will see more mixes from him on the frontpage (and after this mixpost, I am confident that we will! :D)

fantastic mix!

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Kadosho
on 2010-10-21 14:34:21

Just listened, and delighted over the sweet sound.

I love the fast paced beat, and rhythm. Honestly reminds me of Ninja Gaiden,PoP, a bit of Sonic (but in a great way!)

This new teaser is just sweet on so many levels.

Hope you're working on the soundtrack. I may have just become a new fan, of this neat series.

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AkumajoBelmont
on 2010-10-21 11:47:30

I've been listening to this mix for DAYS. ReMix of the Week it is on my podcast too!!! But THAT section at 1:24... WOW. It's totally, TOTALLY everything to me. I'm SO all about that section. Reminds me of every Bond theme and every 70's TV show theme all mixed together. Love it man, seriously. The intro also reminds me of that brilliant CV mix you did years back. Words cannot express how much I love this remix. Really, they can't.

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Vampire Hunter Dan
on 2010-10-19 21:50:42

Not yet being familiar with the original, and with lack of time to post a review with actual details, I found this to be tremendously fun to listen to, and (not surprisingly) well done.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward , 2010, NDS)
Music by Jake Kaufman
Songs:
"She's Got Moves"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Strings,Vocals: Female
Additional:
Regional > Indian

File Information


Name:
Shantae_Risky's_Revenge_Baal_Bhaagna_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,843,491 bytes
MD5:
11f3238a7316775b0d1736dfc402d01f
Bitrate:
242Kbps
Duration:
4:16

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