ReMix:Pokémon Gold Version "Half Steps" 3:37

Newcomer ectogemia (Nathan Becker) makes his OCR debut with this brilliant jazzy hybrid funk-chip jam that's loaded with texture, melody, grit, attitude, and beauty - very compelling cocktail of styles & sounds going on here, making for a fantastic first mix AND an excellent contribution to The Eevee EP. The artist writes:

"As per the theme of the EP, I had to create a soundscape which evoked the power of the Eevee evolution I chose - the psychic-type, Espeon. Once I started writing it, I realized I had no idea what the hell "psychic" sounded like, so I whipped up a bunch of phase-y, space-y, really washed out sounds, and I ended up with a really swirly arrangement of the "National Park" theme from Pokémon Gold/SIlver. That's psychic, right? I had a ton of fun recording in the bouncy piano licks and the improv stuff. I hope this remix really blows your mind (remember, because it's psychic?)."

I'm glad he didn't get too literal and throw in tons of Miss Cleo samples, as that would have distracted from the gorgeously layered atmosphere he's created. I don't know what "psychic" sounds like, either, but this seems like as good a guess as any, and furthermore it's an enjoyable arrangement that strikes a keen balance between emphasizing texture vs. tonality. Dustin writes:

"This was probably the hardest of the (known) types to music-ify, but ectogemia managed to make his remix an incredible representation of psychic type. Great example of what the album set out to accomplish."

For some reason every time I read "psychic" I keep thinkiing of Psycho Mantis reading my mind (okay, memory card); good times. I've seen ectogemia's name pop up here and there, sometimes alongside the unstoppable Mr. Briggs, but I'm glad we've finally got a mix on the site that represents his music. This mix fits the EP like a glove, employing some similar chip/lofi textures but also working in some jazz/funk flavorings. The synth bass alone at 1'10", as acoustic piano gracefully dances around its squelched contributions, is enough to show off what Nathan's capable of, channeling hints of halc, Morse, and other artists into a familiar but still fresh & unique sound. Fantastic mix; VERY interested in what else we see & hear from ectogemia in the future!