Final Fantasy VI "I Can't Be Your Ray of Hope" 4:41

We've got a killer chiller for you courtesy Pipko Fanfare and newcomer performers April Murphy & Lampie23, one that'll surely please the sophisticated Uematsu fans among you. Collectively known as The Key Combo, this tasteful trio of collaborators have a trio of Final Fantasy VI themes that'll transport y'all to a late-night jazz session! Pipko explains how she pulled The Key Combo together for their tribute to Terra:

"I have a new track featuring some great musicians with serious jazz chops! This is an acoustic jazz collab that I'm very excited to share, a cover of several Terra-themed tracks from Final Fantasy VI (gods, I love that game). I outlined the arrangement and reharmonization, created lead sheets for the performers, and programmed drums and bass, and the wonderful April Murphy and Lampie23 provided stellar improvised performances based on those lead sheets. My friend April played alto and tenor saxophone, Lampie23 played piano. This track was a blast to make and I'm so happy with how it came together. Thank you to April and Lampie23!! I'm beyond excited to show off their work.

The idea with this track was to explore the emotional journey Terra goes through in the first several hours of the game. "Awakening" was an obvious choice as it's the track that plays during most of her key emotional scenes, as was the main version of "Terra's Theme" to elaborate further on her main motif, but I also included a lot of "Another World of Beasts" (adapted to 4/4) to represent her past and background and how they are sort of the cause for all the troubles she faces in the present. She finds herself being asked to take on a great responsibility while she's already vulnerable and confused because of her memory loss, unsure who to trust or what to do or even who she is. In my opinion, both solos really captured that emotional depth and I couldn't be prouder of my collaborators for it. This was our first collab together but we have another one already started!"

A few months ago, prophetik music organized and hosted our first episode of The NO Show, where six of the judges gave real-time feedback to five submissions, including this one! If you're so inclined, take a listen to the 35-minute segment of The NO Show where an earlier version was listened to and mulled over with a fine-tooth comb. We had a split decision there on account of some minor issues stacking up, but after further feedback while on the actual judges panel, the sax mixing was better integrated in the soundscape. Props to Pipko, who had no fear and persevered! Judge Hemophiliac witnessed the piece's development as Fanfare shared her ongoing WIPs, giving credit to Pipko's progress:

"Well this one has come a long way since its initial rough sketches I heard in the Workshop.

The arrangement is great and follows the typical "head > solos > head/tag" jazz form. The source was adapted to that well, I do like the reharmonization in places and color added to the chords.

Lampie's additions on the piano are excellent, keeps it in the right vibe the whole way through."

Everything comes together nicely, Lampie's piano, April's saxes, the authentic atmosphere of the upright bass and brushed drums. Didn't I tell you you'd be transported? Fellow judge pixelseph certainly sounds like he wound up in the club, Sazerac in hand:

"To me, this piece sets out to capture that sultry jazz club quintet vibe in the same vein that some of the Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth tracks reimagine the pieces from the original OST - and to that end, this is a successful accomplishment"

Indeed, what an excellently woven tapestry of these classic FF6 themes, hugely personalized via The Key Combo's lovely, lovely, intimate, smoky jazz. Yes, I said lovely twice. Yes, it's that lovely. Pipko, April, Lampie, kudos! :-)