ReMix:Mega Man 5 "Walking Weapons Unit" 3:42

VERY creative old-gold 80's synth-pop major-key Mega Man transformation from WillRock, who's taken his time to submit this unique mix from his back catalog:

"So I haven't got around to subbing this, because I haven't, but no more. So during the GRMRB, I was in negotiations with an iPhone company to do music for their games and they asked me to do a "test track" for a game they hadn't even made. I smelt a con, but I did it anyway and never heard from them again. Rather than wasting what was a cool 15-second loop, I used it as the intro and foundation of this remix. So, guys, if you ever hear the intro of this to an iPhone game, LET ME KNOW. :P

So this was another example of splitting people's opinions down the middle, because some didn't like the branching out ballad style, and some did. That's what happens when you try something new, some people love it... some don't. :P Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it. It was one of my more memorable mixes from my compo history due to its uniqueness in my catalogue of remixes, and it served as a good contrast to Main Finger's awesome Streets of Rage-inspired remix."

I just feel like this is such a fresh, unexpected, & creative take on a well-known source that it's hard NOT to like it, regardless of whether you expect more aggressive stuff from Mr. Harby. The mix title ALSO does make it sound like it'd be an edgier/faster/louder affair, but this Weapons Unit is WALKING, not running or even jogging. So calm down. Liontamer writes:

"Interesting low-key feel to this one from Will where Napalm Man's theme is involved more, but Elec Man's theme is right there very closely. Like many of the Mega Man compo mixes we've posted, there's an excellent interplay between the pair of sources that makes the combination seem like second nature. Will's mixes in particular have really made me appreciate the possibilities of the dual-song arrangement approach.

The synth soloing from 2:20-2:49 rocked it, before moving back into Napalm Man's theme with a subtle (but clutch) raising of the energy level moving towards the genteel finish. This is another great ReMix to point to for arrangers striving to create a piece with subtle dynamic contrast that also evolves. A super smoove & relaxing curveball from the man who will rock. :-)"

The GRMRB's concept virtually guarantees that ReMixers give a lot of thought & focus to the arrangement side of things, and facilitates creative solutions to the problems of combining themes. I agree with Larry that it's been a ton of fun seeing the entries where everything clicked, and Will's been at the forefront of giving us some surprising and thoughtful combinations. There's a relaxed, deliberate confidence here, and my only real nitpick is that I'm not a huge fan of the bassline - I feel like it sticks out a bit and doesn't add enough. It's not there some of the time, and I actually prefer those sections; when it's present I wasn't feeling the sound used or the part-writing, relative to the whole. Ultimately it doesn't actually have much bearing on the whole, as the mix is essentially anchored by the backing bubbly & gently modulated synth pattern and shimmering synth leads - very purdy, gurgling decays and, later, some delicious wah/filtered soloing that's smooth like butter. Will still gets his synth on, but it's in the context of a piece that's more of a slow-dance, hold your partner close, Alphaville sort of jam.