ReMix: Adventure Island 'Tribal Warfare'

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Game: Adventure Island (Hudson Soft, 1986, NES)
ReMixer(s): Ubik
Composer(s): Jun Chikuma
Song(s): 'Evil Cave', 'Losing All Energy'
Posted: 2004-06-23, evaluated by the judges

I don't know about you, but when I think of an overweight man constantly running, jumping, and skateboarding around an island with a pleasant look on his face, I think of Adventure Island. Truth be told, this specific thought does not in actuality cross my mind all that often, of which I am proud, but on those rare instances when it does, I also remember the upbeat tunage that went along with Hudson's plump hero's misadventures. Ubik has taken said soundtrack and created something a bit more sinister, with some great d'n'b/breakbeat work and a very mysterious, minor feel. This is from the underground stage in level 5, which explains why it's not as happy-go-lucky as some of the other melodies, but Ubik's taken the minimal original and constructed an expansive, dark universe filled with biting, mutating percussion around every unlit corner. GL writes:

"The piece has a nice flow, too. The transitions are also very thoughtful. Love that part at 1:45. Classic NES. This is all very well done, but my slight complaint is I wish the melody was more prominent. At times it doesn't feel like there's much of a melody. This is only forgiveable because you pull off the piece as a whole quite well. Interesting."

It's certainly not melody-centric, that's for sure, and those looking for something with more direction and linear build might not dig it as much, but for action music and just a good, varied beat, and some lovely cut-ups and processing, you can't go wrong. There's a good variety of synth textures, as well, and as mentioned the brief but perfectly-placed NES excerpts inject a little lo-fi nostalgia into this high-tech, aggressive arrangement. Dark and immersive.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Oh Master Higgins. When I was a kid I wanted you to pick me as your Honey Girl, so that maybe you'd let me ride on your dinosaurs. :D (Then my mum got in the way of us by constantly borrowing the game to play the bloody slot machines... <_<)
This track? Appropriate for the hard stomping lightning or fire dinos. Just lovely really ^_^ Funkin the dark yeah! :p :D

- Fun on August 12, 2012

Very surprising take on the source. Where the idea to create a D&B mix out of this track is beyond me, but I'm at least thankful it works. I actually disagree that this style of music doesn't lend itself to repeated listenings, because I find with most D&B that the intricacies are only broken down and digested through constantly adjusting expectations. I heard a lot more of the melodic aspects in my repeated listens, of what is a pretty sparing use of melody to begin with.
But hey, I'm probably just a slow listener.
I really love it when a mix's production quality matches it outside-the-box approach like is showcased here. A real surprise and one of the more faithful D&B mixes out there.

- Marmiduke on July 10, 2009

Wow this is pretty hot.
Very groove-based, With some heavy synth riffs, it sounds a lot more intense than I would except, given the source. It is more of a "decisive battle in a cave" track than anything else.
Though a lack of a strong melody makes it less interesting for repeat listens, it still is a really creative and quality mix.

- OA on June 3, 2008

WOW! There's a whole lot to love here. Really excellent arrangement.

- Sam Ascher-Weiss on February 18, 2006

Wow! It´s indeed a hot stuff. Sounds pretty industrial and nice. Great quality of instruments. Really pleasant stuff by Ubik.

- Txai on October 15, 2005

Adventure Island and Wonder Boy look so alike I thought they were from the same franchise. The latter used to be at the beer garden I used to go to with my family. Good times (never got past the second though, laugh at me).
The mix in question certainly ain't bad, but the overall lack of direction in this type of genre keeps me struggling to listen. Of course, that's just my taste- what it does it does very well.

- watkinzez on September 19, 2005

I love the dark, frantic feelings behind the beat. The song is more of an ambient track, I find. That's not a bad thing in and of itself, mind you. It's just something that works better in the background, rather than a piece an individual can actively engage. Still, great work!

- pessimism on June 6, 2005

Yeesh, why not more comments? Ubik did a great job on this one. These beats were definitely bringing the power in a big way. It's a shame we don't see more mix releases from Brian either here or at VGMix, as he's always got some great ideas and great sounds to back 'em up. Well worth the DL, and a track you could easily enjoy without being familiar with the source material. Definitely impressive.

- Liontamer on April 3, 2005

Probably because Yuzo Koshiro did the SAI soundtrack :P
EDIT: I forgot to comment on the actual track... It's nice, you don't hear too much DnB around here. My only complaint is the bass which needs to be more mean and growling.

- GeckoYamori on June 24, 2004

Ubik wrote:
GeckoYamori wrote: Super Adventure Island is a different thing though.

Super Adventure Island is the best imitation of early 90s dance music ever. "Big Zen" is even spot-on with the style of the KLF.

Which is why Double A Ron and myself dig both the SNES soundtrack and this shiznit!

- fetusboy on June 24, 2004

Drum'n'bass is a little bit fast and without pattern for most of people, but is a great rhythm genre. :evil:
Considering this aspect, this piece is very immersive and dark. Many changes and diferent breaks on the loops. Represents a very good work.
Something that the DnB lovers don't have to lose.
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
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- mrjag on June 24, 2004

GeckoYamori wrote: Super Adventure Island is a different thing though.

Super Adventure Island is the best imitation of early 90s dance music ever. "Big Zen" is even spot-on with the style of the KLF.

- Ubik on June 24, 2004

Great work here!
However, the lack of a prominant melody didn't make it something I'd hold on to.
That's just me. It's still very well made.

- Kaleb.G on June 23, 2004

The original Wonderboy music was way better :P
Super Adventure Island is a different thing though.

- GeckoYamori on June 23, 2004

I didn't like it as much as everyone else I guess. A little too repetitive for my tastes.

- CapnHulk on June 23, 2004