ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 'Marblelous Garden'
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- Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega, 1994, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): Leandro Abreu
- Composer(s): Bobby Brooks, Brad Buxer, Darryl Ross, Doug Grigsby III, Geoff Grace, Jun Senoue, Michael Jackson, Scirocco, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Tomonori Sawada
- Song(s): 'Marble Garden Zone: Act 1'
- Posted: 2013-01-14, evaluated by the judges
Newcomer Leandro Abreu provides an interesting, borderline-minimalist take on S3's 'Marble Garden Zone' with this stripped down rock/jazz jam that foregos a full spectrum mix for a syncopated groove that leaves every instrument/performance exposed. It vaguely reminds me of Steely Dan or The Police, and part of that is because the performances are excellent - when they're this emphasized, with nowhere to hide, they really kinda have to be. Fortunately Abreu can PLAY, and towards the end things get downright spicy. Always difficult to impress, Mr. Larry Oji offers:
"Pretty coverish, but nicely personalized instrumentation. The energy's a bit subdued due to relative emptyness in the textures - it's arguably thin, but I think adequate; the space is filled out OK. It gets a lot more right than it gets wrong, and has a mellow approach that ultimately shows off a lot of creativity."
This is a relatively popular source tune, and I almost feel like had things been more fleshed out, it would have sounded far more similar to existing arrangements, so I kinda like the Spartan, it-is-what-it-is vibe & focus on isolated components. Shariq was less reserved:
"Pretty conservative but very organic feel. My first thought when this mix started was "wow, great percussion." The sparseness of the soundscape feels appropriate here. Very intimate sound, great performances all around. Extremely tight playing and fantastic interplay between the parts."
I think this mix is almost deceptively good; it appears a little thin at first, but it's a slow burn as intensity builds and the ReMixer shows off more of what he's capable of. Drums are indeed sweet, the overall sense of rhythm & timing is impeccable, and the bass is funky, fun, & not kept on a leash but allowed to explore, which is nice. Great debut from Leandro that's got a unique style & swagger and takes a familiar source on a crunchy, creative, & altogether hot ride. Definitely looking forward to hearing more - check out his website for more tunage in the meantime!
Discussion: Latest 6 comments/reviews; view the - Crulex on January 15, 2013
-D
- DCT on January 14, 2013
At first I see what the judges mean about it sounding coverish, but the way this track develops itself definitely makes for an original, cool and laid-back jazzy reinterpretation. I like it ^^
- Guifrog on January 14, 2013
Insane groovage going on here. It's like the room left in the soundscape was just so...just for the listener, to pull a stool up right next to the band, surround themselves with the funk.
- metaphist on January 14, 2013
- Mirby on January 14, 2013
