ReMix:Donkey Kong Country "Percussion Hijinx" 4:58

Newcomer Jean Of mArc writes us as submitter, arranger, & participant in the Acadia Percussion Ensemble, who recorded this DKC percussion performance live all the way back in 2006:

"During my university years, I was a member of the Acadia Percussion Ensemble, led by world percussion master Ken Shorley. As we were always taught and encouraged to explore and be creative, I had the perfect opportunity to arrange and play a piece from Donkey Kong Country, which has some of my favourite gaming tunes. I chose "Jungle Hijinx", which was the best-suited track for the 5-person ensemble. They really enjoyed playing it, and it ended up being the finale piece of our 2006 year-end concert. As this is a live recording from that concert, and everyone has moved on in life, this can't be re-recorded, so I can't do a re-submission if it doesn't pass.

Marimba: Ken Shorley
Vibraphone: Adam Campbell
Drum Set: Trish MacAuley
Toms & Glock: Jayme Keddy
Woodblocks & Xylophone: Jean-Marc Giffin"

Those of you paying close attention might recall 'Plains, Capes, and Turnips,' another live percussion ensemble recording focusing on the brothers Mario that we posted last year. While the woodblock here struggles a bit with the opening triplets, things get into a groove as the mix progresses, and it's cool to hear such a variety of chromatic and non-chromatic percussion in a very clear, live context like this. Emunator initially suggested that Jean-Marc submit this arrangement a long time ago in a galaxy extremely close, and is still feelin' it with his judge hat on:

"Wow, this is a blast from the past! I almost forgot about this one a long time ago. Listening back on it with a much more critical pair of ears than I had a year and a half ago, I'm noticing a handful of timing/performance issues that I didn't really pick up on when I first listened. They seem most prominent in the beginning of the song; certain rhythms just aren't lining up quite right. However, as you get further into the performance, it's clear that you all get into the groove and it all begins to click better.

However, what hasn't changed since I first listened to it is how much I enjoy the concept, arrangement, and performance you've crafted here. I think it's incredibly unique and fitting for the source, and I love how you blended various iterations of the Jungle Hijinx theme into one arrangement. Despite any flaws in the performance, you got a very clean recording and a very fun result that I think would be a mistake to pass over. People are going to enjoy this one, I'm positive of that."

halc adds:

"I can hear where the other judges are coming from as far as the soundscape being sparse, and I'm inclined to agree, however the piece as it is has a really nice and interesting stereo spread/mic placement, and the whole recording just has this fantastic clarity to it. can't say the sparseness kept me from enjoying the track. really liked this one a lot, nice work!"

I think Wes & Drew summed up everything I have to say rather nicely; yes, the intro has some timing issues, and the overall soundscape is minimal, but this is nevertheless a cool take on a catchy, jazzy theme that adapts it quite creatively for a five-part ensemble of "people who like to hit things" aka percussionists. Fun stuff, thanks for submitting!