ReMix:Chrono Trigger "When Hell Freezes Over" 7:13

Hell actually DID freeze over recently, with the announcement of VST plugin support in Reason, but I digress... we've got a double dose of Wiesty (Dylan Wiest) (& co.) for you today, starting with this super-mellow & sexy horns-heavy jazz CT arrangement w/ glorious DrumUltimA vibe solos, off Chronology:

"This song may have been a bit of an odd choice for an arrangement given its lack of melody, but I've been in love with its chord progression for many years. I can recall arranging a couple of different melodies over top of it many years ago and it being a basis for my introduction into improvisation. When we decided to do the album, I knew this tune needed some love. The drum intro and horns that follow are supposed to create a very sparse and mysterious atmosphere much like the frozen wastes of 2300 A.D. Doug sent me two takes of his vibes over top of the horns. I loved them both so much, I decided to include both of them panned left and right, which resulted in something very beautiful. I knew that this tune needed some sort of melody, so I decided to superimpose the melody from "Wind Scene" over top of the chord changes; a bit of a haunting ode to the days of life and prosperity past. This, of course, changes as the solo section is a straight-up funk jam with tasty guitar from Andy, smooth and sultry sax from Anthony, and a face-melting vibes solo from Doug. This tune really came together in the end to match what I envisioned in my head... hauntingly funky."

• Dylan Wiest (Wiesty) - arrangement, drums
• Joe Zieja (XPRTNovice) - alto saxophones
• Anthony Lofton - tenor saxophone
• Jordan Etienne (Sir Jordanius) - trumpet
• Brian Fratto (Fratto) - trombone
• Markus B. (Nostalvania) - piano
• Doug Perry (DrumUltimA) - vibraphone
• Andy Pearce (AndyP) - guitar
• Jay Yaskin (audio fidelity) - bass

"Hauntingly funky" sounds right... or even "pensively seductive" - a lot of restraint, but then also a lot of effusive vibraphonery. Love the drum solo opener, love all the transitions and those section chords, and at over seven minutes it's impressive that a piece this chill can also absolutely hold your interest & offer up a compelling, crystallized concept. Gario writes:

"Very solid arrangement, blending the style from the bleak future with the overworld theme from 600AD - it works great. It's a little less depressing than it seems you intended, but overall I can't fault you for that. Great performances, slick solos, smooth arrangement, crisp production, I couldn't imagine anyone who would say this didn't belong on OCR."

Ditto all that; as brilliant as all of its album-siblings & not to be missed!