ReMix:Streets of Rage "Deku Meets Knuckleduster" 4:00

Before we get to fighting with this ReMix, we have to point you to OCR founder djpretzel's announcement of his stepping down as administrator and CEO after nearly 24 years. He's not gone for good (so join our Discord and send him your well wishes), but he's going to go home and be a family man. We're thankful to have djp's advice and support as we move forward with long-time ReMixer, admin, and judge DarkeSword now helming OCR. There's an adage I heard recently that pretty much applies to anything in life, especially if you want to make things happen without analysis paralysis: "Start, then learn. Don't learn, then start." While we're not changing the core ideas of OC ReMix - highlighting creative and interpretive VGM arrangements -- we've got a lot of ideas and a wonderful community behind us. Much like how djp built and grew OCR, adding to his skills along the way, now's our time to carry it forward, and learn what we need to along the way!

As we on staff learn our way around staging and posting these ReMixes, it's wonderful to have J Damashii finally back on the front page with this funky vocal version of Yuzo Koshiro's classic first stage theme to Streets of Rage! Whether you know him by Sir Jordanius, UV Sir J, or even his more recent work as Tempus Tonic Philharmonic, any music by J is cause for celebration, even if it means "Fighting in the Streets" of Wood Oak City. J gave a nod to past collab partner Garrett Williamson for influencing things in the earliest stages (and I'd recommend firing up their previous team-ups):

"Out of professional courtesy, I'm giving a nod to Garrett Williamson for helping in the infancy of this arrangement to help it become what it is in this current iteration."

This one's from J's Flips - Volume I album, which boasts a plethora of amazing arrangements more focused on mainstream music, with a smattering of VGM and anime ones as well. As with many of J's efforts, the bass guitar's absolutely funktastic and attention-grabbing, there's also bright brass, and full-throated vocals (the high note at 2:48, wow!), along with a little Rhodes goodness. Without actually namedropping them, the lyrics are all about our game's heroes -- Adam, Axel, and Blaze -- committing to taking back the night and cleaning up Wood Oak City. As someone's who had more than one police-trained gun needlessly pointed at me, the BEST cops are the side-scrolling beat-'em-up ones, strictly focused on bare knuckling bad guys and eating turkeys found behind garbage cans. :-P (We only have one Final Fight series ReMix too, so let's reform THAT!)

If you skip this mix, it's a crime where you've gotta do the time. Get it now, citizens!