ReMix:Mega Man X3 "Tropical Relaxation Method" 3:02

Tropical ambient future-jazz?!? Sure, why not! timaeus222 (Truong-Son Nguyen) takes things in a different direction with this relaxing, refreshing, crisp, & percussive arrangements of MMX 3 & 4:

"So, I've been checking out some of BGC's (Jimmy Hinson's) work lately, and I found the Borderlands 2 soundtrack. I got inspired by "Tropical Paradise," as well as the choral song "Horizons" (by Péter Louis van Dijk) - which I sang freshman year in high school I might add -- so I thought I'd do a ReMix in the vein of a tropical rainforest with a roughly tribal feel for the SFRG 2015 compo, round 2.

This is slightly revised from the compo version, with just a light layer of hi-hats and snare brightness on top in the heavier sections where you hear some cinematic percussion. I used some pitchy bells that I made (and some from Resonance: Emotional Mallets), an acoustic bass from Trilian, some world percussion from Platinum Percussion, and among other things, various samples of things that sound like a rainforest -- rain (obviously), a recording of an actual rainforest, a rainstick, shakers, etc. I even recorded myself saying "HISHI!"

This is one of the more liberal arrangements you'll see from me; never done this genre before either, I think, but I liked the change of pace. :) Here's a source breakdown for those who want it:

Source Breakdown:

• 0:12.03-0:19.73 = "Doppler" (:01.21-:08.60)
• 0:24.05-0:34.42, 0:36.05-0:38.17 = "Doppler" (:01.21-:08.60)
• 0:42.06-0:43.80 = "Doppler" (:01.21-:08.60)
• 0:48.06-0:52.37, 0:54.04-0:58.38 = "Doppler" (:20.98-:22.98)
• 1:00.04-1:03.04, 1:06.04-1:09.04 = "Doppler" (:23.43-:25.42)
• 1:12.04-1:15.05, 1:18.04-1:33.04 = "Cyber Peacock" (:15.58-:35.27)
• 1:48.04-1:52.49, 1:54.03-1:58.86 = "Doppler" (:11.03-:13.48)
• 2:00.05-2:10.40, 2:12.04-2:14.86 = "Doppler" (:01.21-:08.60)
• 2:18.06-2:21.04 = "Doppler" (:01.21-:08.60)
• 2:24.03-2:28.42, 2:30.05-2:34.34 = "Doppler" (:20.98-:22.98)
• 2:36.04-2:39.05, 2:42.05-2:45.03 = "Doppler" (:23.43-:25.42)

7.70 + 10.37 + 2.12 + 1.74 + 4.31 + 4.34 + 3.00 + 3.00 + 3.01 + 15.00 + 4.45 + 4.83 + 10.35 + 2.82 + 2.98 + 4.39 + 4.29 + 3.01 + 2.98 = 94.69/182.07 = ~52.01%"

timaeus has certainly become a production beast, with intricate layering & clean, clear mastering on each new submission. This one's a very different style, but that polish & sheen remain present, as the artist takes us on a mellow journey under the rainforest canopy, replete with hand percussion and, dare I say, something not altogether unlike FOREST BIRDCUSSION. Very nice, articulate upright bass, and I also dig how Timmy still worked in ambient/electronic components like haunting pads, risers, etc. here and there. It's liberal, and there's a lot of connecting glue, but it sticks together, and the end result is very transporting & mellow while still commanding your attention with a variety of textures and some dynamic, expressive leads. Can't ask for much more - a different sound for timaeus222, to be sure, but one which continues to capitalize on his production chops while creatively exploring some vibrant new arranging ideas. Good stuff!