ReMix: OutRun 'Passing Breeze (Latin Jazz Samba 2010 Edition)'
- Game: OutRun (Sega, 1987, SMS)
- ReMixer(s): DJ-AKX
- Composer(s): Hiroshi Kawaguchi
- Song(s): 'BGM 4 (Mission 2-2)', 'Magical Sound Shower', 'Passing Breeze', 'Stage Clear'
- Posted: 2011-02-03, evaluated by the judges
You can never have enough OutRun.
I mean, maybe, if you listened to NOTHING but OutRun, 24/7, for a whole year, that would be excessive, but it's a great soundtrack with several distinct pieces that are each classics, and I've mentioned before about how cool it was that you could select each track as a different station on your Ferrari's radio. Sweet. If I had a gazillion bucks I'd buy a Testarossa and have a custom radio put in that allowed me to switch between 'Magical Sound Shower', 'Passing Breeze', and 'Splash Wave', all of which would be playing constantly. That's probably not the first thing I'd do - building a Wonka-style chocolate river in my own home comes to mind - but I'd certainly get around to it.
So yeah, OutRun, then... newcomer DJ-AKX, aka Juan Rosario, enthusiastically writes:
"I Finally! Fiiinaaalllyyy!! Got The Opportunity To Make My First Arrange Video Game Music For OC. Had this concept in my mind for years since 1999, few years ago got my own recording studio and by the year 2006 i found about the OC Page and couldn't believe that a page focusing on arranging video game music really existed, not to mention that I'm a member since 2007 I've been waiting patiently for the time to make and arrangement of a song and it's so hard when you have lots of duties like supporting your family, etc . . . . got my drift?
Well on this arrangement took me a month to make the 60+ tracks and i decided to make it Latin Jazz Version since i played the game on arcade and on the Sega master system it inspired me to one day make the arrangement of the song and this is the day, the intro i did some samples from BBC Sound Effects Library, Brazilian Singing from Bom Dia Brazil and the small tune from Passing Breeze Sega Master Version also i added a treat for all fans who knows Shinobi Arcade. I used the Trilian Bass Modile VST Making a solo melody on Stage 4 the time is 5:01 and following with the Stage Complete on time 5:21 I customize the drums using Superior Drummer, used some sounds from my Roland Fantom-S, XP-80 the XV-5080 Module... This Version Chords Are Based From The Sega Master System Instead Of The Original Which Begins on A Chord This One Is On E Chord (by the way i don't read music i did it by ear)"
So this has been a long time coming for Juan, and I can certainly relate to it being difficult to find the time to make music with so many other responsibilities, but I'm certainly glad he did. Speaking of time, at over eight and a half minutes long, this is definitely an extended cut. You can tell the artist appreciates the world of Sega VGM, from his detailed writeup to his intricate sequencing, full of Latin flavor. Vibes, EP, piano, brass, superb percusion that ain't afraid to pull some extended fills, and a great bass solo. Samples sound a little dated at times, but a Latin jazz arrangement as elaborate as this puts stress on ANY sample library. There are some great solos on keys, a nice homage intro, a somewhat anticlimactic fadeout ending, but most of all, there's just a LOT of variety. 8 minutes and change is a considerable chunk of time to fill, but the different solos, the percussive flare, and the general energy make it fly right by... almost like a breeze.
A passing breeze.
Because that's the name of the source tune.
Let's see what OA said:
"Wow, this is a very nice arrangement! The intro was a little strange at first, but once the song kicked in, it was really working for me, excellent rhythms on the percussion, and everything else was classy and tasteful. The panning was strong, and the samples were all very nice. The solos were great, and later on, even a bass solo! The arrangement is definitely extended, but there is a lot going on, good variation, lots of source references despite a ton of solos, and it sounds great."
Sounds good to me; congrats to Juan for finally finding time to make a rather epic OutRun ReMix that takes it time and embraces the spirit of the original with some excellent Latin atmosphere.
- Txai on December 2, 2012
- Crulex on September 26, 2012
And I agree, we need more remixes like this one on the site.
- Martin Penwald on April 6, 2011
This is incredible! I love the source 'Passing Breeze', and the arrangement is so fantastic and enjoyable to listen to. Easily one of my favorites, although I echo the sentiment that I expected a more epic ending.
Regardless, this is fantastic, and I love the atmosphere and attention to detail. Great stuff.
- ProjectSpam on February 20, 2011
I love all the site's wonderful iterations of Passing Breeze, but my one quibble - that they were all too short - isn't present when listening to Juan's work. What love and energy you poured into 8 + minutes, man! I hope it gives you great joy to know that this is pure sonic bliss, built for cruising anytime, anywhere. Can't wait for summer to load this on the radio ^_^
- WesternZypher on February 5, 2011
We need more remixes like this. Production is pretty clean, although the fake guitars sort of bugged me a little, it didn't really matter with the execution of the arrangement. The original tune sort of had an implication that it was written with Jazz Fusion in mind, without the improv. I'd say this arrangement is like a perfect "arrange version" for this song, considering it was written about 2 decades ago.
Lots of syncopation, the improv, I can't really say much about the execution, it's just done so well. Perhaps you should get a lead sheet done for this and get an actual band to perform this arrangement. :)
Splendid stuff, faithful to the original, and VERY nice arrangement. :)
- MaliceX on February 5, 2011
- Emunator on February 5, 2011
i really respect every genre of music but sadly now-days some are just doing it the easy way to gain easy bucks and the question is, but what about the fans?
they just listen to the song and that's it "it's yesterday's dinner" there are songs like in the past decades and some today that are Epic and in time you listen and listen and don't get tired it's because music like that have been done with detail and painstaking care to make it sound good
and this is why i want to bring to all of you
once again My Big Thanks ;)
Emunator;751363 wrote: One of my favorite remixes ever, the sequencing and attention to detail in the arrangement is astounding. We need more stuff like this on the site! :-D
- akuma6498 on February 4, 2011
- WillRock on February 4, 2011
Btw, in the beginning there is a Brazilian music playing just after the 8bit music, am I right? I'm from Brazil and I swear I heard something like "bom dia pra quem é de bom dia" :P
Searching Google... the song name is Boa Noite, from Maculêlê, Capoeira music :-)
- vitorgatti on February 4, 2011
- Emunator on February 4, 2011
- BlackPanther on February 4, 2011
normally I'm turned off by cheesy/dated samples, but something about this remix just makes it work
extremely awesome :nicework:
- chthonic on February 4, 2011
there aren't enough fusion style arrangements on ocremix. beautiful. i'm floored.
- Dave Harris on February 4, 2011
- Joshua Morse on February 4, 2011