ReMix:Seiken Densetsu 3 "The Fairytale Fair" 3:10

We've got a double-dose of Archangel (Jaka Čibej) & Seiken Densetsu 3: Songs of Light and Darkness for you today, starting with this playful, agile folk/traditional march of sorts that employs mixed winds (BASSOON!), harp, chromatic percussion, hand drums, & a generally upbeat, plucky vibe:

"This is my third submission to the panel. It's a remix I did for the Seiken Densetsu 3 project. I distinctly remembered the source track from the game, since you spend so much time in various villages buying equipment and sleeping at the inn, and hearing it has always given me the impression of standing in the middle of a village fair. Everyone is speaking, you can hear various animal sounds, merchants yelling, children laughing, the sun is shining and a stream is bubbling nearby, while on the nearby meadows tons of butterflies fly around.

It all seemed very folkish and nature-y, so, naturally, I chose to make a very carefree-sounding remix, full of "bright" instruments (the harp, the piccolo, the piano, and so forth). I decided to make it a bit slower than the original (except for the ending part), to make it sound more like a peaceful fair and less like chasing a mischievous sprite through a village. I added some recorder and some Irish low whistle to achieve a more medieval sound, plus some bassoon, just because I love the way it sounds, so fat, clumsy, and grumpy! Enjoy!"

I concur wholeheartedly, and I think Jaka achieved the atmosphere he was shooting for. Album director Rozovian agrees:

"Archangel took this playful town theme and turned it, as the name suggests, into something fitting for an adaptation of any classic fairy tale's brighter and cheerier moments on a stage. One of my favorite things about Archangel's style is how he captures so many great things about the source and includes them in his remixes. Though absent from the first parts of the remix, many of the style elements and the playfulness of the original appear towards the end. And listen for how playful it gets from 2:00. It's wonderful."

It really is - it's hard not to smile and feel a little lighter (which is rather critical, in 2018) while listening, as the various ingredients complement one another beautifully & artfully walk the line between grace and whimsy. Co-director Meteo Xavier adds:

"His samples ring clear, wet and, bright. You can almost see images glistening as you hear it. Do I dare compare it to something like a Ghibli take on the Seiken Densetsu franchise? Do I dare compare Archangel to Joe Hisaishi? You bet your hind end I will! This track is simply MAGIC and Arch can make magic with little more than a computer and some familiar orchestral samples. Dude is a veritable wizard, Gandalf-approved. Lots of playful work here, more than I can describe like I do some of the others, but watch for those gorgeous harp cascades and tambourines. Not only should you listen and enjoy this, but you should study it, too. This is how you do playful, cartoon-type music that adults can enjoy as well."

Jeff again offers valuable insight & I think the Ghibli/Hisaishi comparison is both huge praise and relatively accurate. Judges weighed in back in 2011, when Palpable was on the panel - Mr. Prabhu writes:

"What a cute mix! It completely paints the atmosphere of a bustling outdoor market, or a daytime festival. The original is still tucked in there but handled in a delicate matter, with some extra bells and whistles. Very enjoyable, Jaka."

It's definitely cute, but it's also layered, emotive, & well-structued, making for a breath of fresh air that lands squarely on the "light" side of Songs. Superb!