ReMix:Dynamite Headdy "Trouble Brewin'" 3:59

By Flexstyle

Arranging the music of one song...

"Hustle Maruyama (Maruyama Theme 2)"

Primary Game: Dynamite Headdy (Sega , 1994, GEN), music by Aki Hata, Jun Irie, Nazo² Suzuki, Norio Hanzawa

Posted 2012-01-17, evaluated by the judges panel


In honor of our new workshop moderators (Flexstyle, Gario, Rozovian), we've got a TRIPLE MIXPOST TUESDAY for you, starting off with our first ReMix from Treasure's Dynamite Headdy, from Mike:

"Many moons ago, I was approached by Dj Mokram, and asked if I would be able to join his Dynamite Headdy remix album project. I agreed, of course, and promptly put everything off until the very last possible minute. When faced with an impending deadline, this is what I came up with - a frenetic, cheesy, happy hardcore remix of the chosen theme. OCR only has about what, two happy hardcore mixes in the history of EVER, right? I figure there's a void what needs fillin'.

Uh, yeah. This mix, or more specifically its title - most of the players of Headdy I've run into (me not being one of them, per my usual lack of classic gaming experience) know the character to which this theme belongs as "Maruyama." However, a quick Wikipedia search revealed that his American release name is actually "Trouble Bruin." The pun was too obvious NOT to make. Hope you dig it okay thanks bye."

Well, the pun was already made, technically... you sorta demade it ;) While it's all fun and games to us, I think having a headdy made out of dynamite would probably be not only impractical, but often tragic. Fortunately, it's fictional, and even better, the game had some catchy tunes to match the deep, twitchtastic game mechanics Treasure were ace at. This is definitely some hyperdrive, sugar-high, crazypants electronica, but while it's very speedy, it doesn't annoy me like most happy hardcore tracks do. Maybe I'm thinking of "gabber"... I give up. Point being, it's pumped up, but it's not obnoxious, which is excellent. halc writes:

"not a lover of happy hardcore, but I can't complain when it's this well produced. all the synths sound great (really love that centroid/pitch-shifting effect at 1:20, and again at 3:20), but the drums really blow me away. there's so much variation, but your ridiculous attention to detail is ever-present. excellent fills and buildups. the arrangement is pretty faithful, with a ton of personalization. would of slowed it down a bit personally, but again, I can't complain. nice work here."

DarkeSword adds:

"I love this. The energy is absolutely crazy in this piece, like a carnival on speed. I don't mind the dissonant section in the middle there; it's a good breakdown and separates well from the happy high energy stuff."

So if you HAD a launchable head, say for instance like Chuck D. Head, JAXSON deBOX, or this game's protagonist, I think this is actually really appropriate music for that type of decapitating & recapitating lifestyle. We the necked can enjoy it, too, as I think Mike put together a very solid, layered, jacked-up tribute to a great & previously unmixed Genesis gem.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black_Doom
on 2015-12-09 14:23:54

I think happy hardcore is my LEAST favorite genere, or something about that, but, surprisingly, I find this track pretty good. Maybe because it's done by Flex? :D Actually, pretty nice job here!

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Melodious Punk
on 2013-05-13 22:43:22

because I have never cared/wanted to know/given a fuck about most any electronica genre or sub-genre's defining aspects I'm happy to say this tune will just forever be all that is happy hardcore for me. It is the type of music I would dance to even if everyone in the club was dead.

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Crulex
on 2012-12-12 14:18:39

This is like taking an energy shot right into the brain. So hyper and filled to the brim with hardcore beats that could break necks. Lots of speed and happiness all around this one. Very fun to listen to.

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Bahamut
on 2012-07-26 12:43:56

Talk about a happy song!

This happy hardcore song does differ from typical songs in the genre with a more complex usage of instrumentation though, and a distinct lack of cheesy vocals. Just a fun listen overall!

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Phonetic Hero
on 2012-01-25 04:12:11

This mix is ludicrous, ridiculous, and stupid

I fucking love it

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Flexstyle
on 2012-01-19 12:40:52
famous remixers

Oh, come on, I'm not a famous remixers! :

I'd have to, y'know, actually be famous first. :-P

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Dj Mokram
on 2012-01-19 09:57:25

Totally missed this yesterday with the OCR blackout. Yay for Headdy! bounce.gif

Huge thank to Mike for not only taking valuable time from his busy schedule to join our modest unofficial project, but also for pouring his heart into this mix and doing justice to an obscure game, a wacky source and a downright crazy boss character. Even though he has numerous mixposts and is an amazingly skillful musician/producer, Flexstyle is one of the most down to earth, easy to talk to and work with artists on this site. I can only wish more famous remixers shared the same open-mindedness and unconditional love of VGM.

At first, Mike had a different, more progressive electro version in the works, that sounded like a mix of Masashi Hamauzu and Hiroshi Okubo. Dunno if mastering the DKC3 album had an influence on his decision to switch to a completely different direction, but it was undoubtely for the best. Backstage and SuperFinagler battles being high-speed chases sequences with frantic action and non-stop craziness, this happy hardcore rendition of 'Hustle Maruyama' fits the context perfectly. This reminds me at times of the Sampling Masters (Shinji Hosoe Ayako Saso) with this magic and dynamic electronic alchemy that gets you pumped. The nice change of pace during the break at 1:41, with furious glitching breakbeats and nasty sturated bass, adds an underlying element of tension and unpredictability that suits the persona of Maruyama/Trouble Bruin perfectly.

Overall, it's a superb harcore-electro track, very uplifting and accessible, and a fitting tribute arrangement that can be (and hopefully will be) enjoyed by a wide audience, regardless of any prior knowledge of the game. :smile:

Don't forget to check the tribute album for which Trouble Brewin' was originally created, at http://kngi.org/dhsbp.

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pu_freak
on 2012-01-18 08:22:43

This mix makes me smile all over :D This is, like Emunator said, by far the best happy hardcore song on the site and there should be more mixes like this one! I love the high-energy pumping from this mix and especially the part after Deia's hated dissonant part is great!

They should play this mix in more clubs :P

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Emunator
on 2012-01-18 00:32:50

By far the best happy-hardcore offering on the site, I mentioned in my vote (and I believe this might have been my first vote cast as a judge, as an aside!) that this toes the line nicely between being a serious attempt in the genre and being a self-parody, of sorts, and I think you know exactly how to meld the best of both worlds. I'm not gonna lie, I laughed when that obnoxiously loud happy-hardcore kick/bass combo dropped in, rocked out for a few bars, then it moved right back into the kind of clear, punchy Flexstyle production I know and love. Very slick mix dude, I think you achieved everything you wanted to with this track!

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uhhh6677
on 2012-01-18 00:10:46

Very fun track, synths and techno-ey bits and bobs were just awesome. Production was clean and the effects were cool. Very nice mix!

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MaxFrost
on 2012-01-17 22:12:58

I think what makes or breaks happy hardcore is the bass kick. If it's an obnoxious one, you hate it instantly.

If it's awesome, like this one, it's awesome.

Awesome track. Epic side-chaining too. You have the genre down pat.

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KyleJCrb
on 2012-01-17 21:22:01

Finally, some Secret Bonus Point representation on the site! Flexstyle's track is amazing, but it's just the tip of the iceberg from Dj Mokram and Co., so I suggest you all go check out the album for more Dynamite Headdy goodness. :-)

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DusK
on 2012-01-17 21:07:52

This remix makes me bounce.

A lot.

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djpretzel
on 2012-01-17 20:46:47

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

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Dynamite Headdy (Sega , 1994, GEN)
Music by Aki Hata,Jun Irie,Nazo² Suzuki,Norio Hanzawa
Songs:
"Hustle Maruyama (Maruyama Theme 2)"

Tags (5)


Genre:
Happy Hardcore
Mood:
Aggressive
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Dynamite_Headdy_Trouble_Brewin'_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,781,470 bytes
MD5:
082cc2a129186be833061d0820f9524c
Bitrate:
224Kbps
Duration:
3:59

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