ReMix:SaGa Frontier "A Journey in Solitude" 3:04

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Blue Magic (Damon Campbell) submitted several previous versions of this orchestral hybrid SaGa Frontier mix in 2004 & 2005, back before the Internet even EXISTED. Okay, that's not true, but that's a decade ago, more or less, and that's a beefy chunk of time. The artist writes:

"I have another resubmission for you all. It's another really old one that was rejected back in 2004, and again in 2005. If I remember correctly, it was my second remix attempt right after my Panic Puppet Zone remix. I actually did this version back in 2009, but I never submitted it because I was not really happy with my skills at the time, and honestly didn't think it would pass because of EQing issues. I'm still not fully satisfied with myself as a remixer, but I think I at least have a better understanding of what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. I reopened this project just to see if I could make it more balanced and keep everything from sounding all cluttered up and over-compressed. I didn't really alter or upgrade the soundfonts (yes they're all soundfonts and FL samples) I used when I made it even though I do have better sounding VSTs available, because I always say, "It's not the samples you use, but how you use them!" So, they are definitely not gonna sound "live.""

Damon's now revisited his first TWO mixes and revised them very successfully, epitomizing a No Mix Left Behind!! motto. This short-but-sweet arrangement isn't particularly narrative or dynamic, and maintains a relatively steady heartbeat, but the atmosphere is quite enchanting, with an Asian flare thanks to pentatonic melodies & a clear, crisp soundscape. Nutritious writes:

"Cool combination of sounds here and the track is well thought-out and constructed. Work on varying up velocities or perhaps the sample attack to try smooth out the rigid sequencing. I can hear where you've used reverb to help a bit here, so it's not completely exposed. Overall good stuff. I'm now sufficiently chilled."

Justin's a pretty chill guy by default, so perhaps that's not impressive, but I'm pretty neurotic & it calmed me down, too ;) Judges mostly focused on some of the dated instrumentation, which really didn't bug me much, but I could have used a bit more structure/development, even if it meant incorporating another source tune. As it stands, though, this is a refreshing oasis that establishes a very RPG-ish transportation/exploration feel, embellishes the original, and has been improved from its original incarnation from so many years back. Props to Damon for sticking with it & updating it based on his progress as an artist - enjoy!