ReMix:Lotus II "Overdrive" 2:12

By Greg Kennedy

Arranging the music of one song...

"Shamrip"

Primary Game: Lotus II (Electronic Arts , 1993, GEN), music by Patrick Phelan, Sound Images

Posted 2002-10-04, evaluated by the judges panel


This ReMix is a little different, as it's replacing an older mix by Greg Kennedy, also known as Hornpipe2, at his request. He felt his Donkey Kong ReMix, submitted as one of the first 100 ReMixes to OCR way back in 2000 (^^), wasn't up to snuff. I concur that his latest ReMix, which though it's being released just now will be numbered OCR00073, the number of his previous submission, is a MUCH better track. I'd say, exponentially. For his triumphant return to OCR, Greg gives us our first Lotus 2 (Genesis) ReMix. Though brief, it's some catchy synth-tech pop that fans of Erasure or Pet Shop Boys or what not should appreciate, as well as lovers of fine electronica game mixes at large. Opening the gratuitous but appropo car effects, Greg quickly gets things going with a solid beat, warm saw synths with very quick release for that 'blippy' feel (ad-hoc adjective, sorry), and - probably the single coolest element that sets this mix apart - some great wah-processed synth patterns that undulate beneath the track and only come out at points. Especially towards the end, with the wild arpeggio bit, this reminded me of Erasure, but to me that's a good thing. Vince Clarke is one of the best synthesists ever (and has the gear to back up the skill, too), so comparisons to his style are nothing but favorable to my ears. More than anything, to me this piece represents some hardcore persistence and improvement, of which Greg should be damn proud. Recommended.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Tables
on 2015-08-18 20:07:51

Very zip zap zappy, a fun little song! I especially like that retro-y bass synth clubbing along. Maybe not a masterwork but not every song on this site needs to be - I mean, even making something so simple and (yet?) enjoyable requires work and a good sense of music and such. Also I think that its a perfectly brief length. Nice!

(Sort of reminds me of something you'd hear in a The Behemoth game actually! You could totally crash a castle to this)

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TillyFun
on 2013-07-17 01:51:17

Great race music, with a sprint to the end at 1:45. ^_^ Quirky and fun :D

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Otaku_Symphonia
on 2010-10-15 02:51:44

Wow!

This takes me back to those good ol' days of when I used to own an AMIGA and the trilogy of this series.

I still wish I could play them today, they were great games.

Thanks for the memories.

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Bahamut
on 2009-10-31 11:20:20

So this reminds me of the DKC 2 rollercoaster levels for some odd reason - the song is too short though. It just ends.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-07-04 00:04:02

Reminds me a lot of very early OCR, in that it has the very basic of concepts, which lends it a lot of charm. The sound effects and the building progression are cleverly put to use, making a better mix out of what could have been quite anaemic. What's here won't rattle any windows or transform a meet-and-greet into a rave, but it has a simple, catchy innocence that only comes along every so often nowadays. Standard electronica, but fun electronica as well.

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justinj212
on 2009-01-17 17:22:15

liked the synths a lot, especially the wah-wah sound (I can think of no other word to describe it) and the accelerating feeling you get as it moves along. very cool and unique sounding.

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DragonAvenger
on 2008-10-21 21:23:04

Interesting soundchoices, and they work pretty well. I'm not too crazy about the melody synth choice; it feels too much like a cross between something that should be in the background and something in the foreground. Drums aren't my favorite either, though they suit the song. The other choices, including the saw, were pretty cool though.

A short mix, but it gets its point across. Enjoyable.

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OA
on 2007-03-27 12:48:18

I like the creative and somewhat staccato melody. THe synths were well chosen for the melody type, and though I feel the soundfiled could have been filled out a bit more, this works as some driving dance music quite well. The short chromatic section was a nice break before going back to a similar groove as the opening with different ornamentation section.

A fun mix with some nice sound effects and short enough to not overstay it's welcome.

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Nineko
on 2005-11-20 09:53:42
This piece has a great groove to it. Fantastic to dance to. Good stuff!
quoted for emphasis, DarkeSword is always right.

how can I say more than this?

just... DANCE!!!

disco_02.gif

*dances*

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artificialist
on 2003-06-23 08:22:55

It rocks, but I preferred the original Genesis sound

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PerLichtman
on 2002-10-15 01:12:17

First of all I should mention that I usually prefer really driving mixes, extremely poigniant ones, ones with extremely strong atmospheric feel or ones that are just really intense. This leaves a lot of the happy upbeat electronica pieces off my playlist. That's why I would like to mention that this remix has got real groove to it, neat effects, cool variation and, once again, great groove. It's happy but not overly happy and taken seriously enough to be really good music. Good stuff. Next time I'd like to hear an even fuller soundscape (think Paul Oakenfold, :wink: )

4 Stars

Per's OCR Star System:

5-One of my favorites.

4- I'll listen to it a fair amount but it lacks that extra "something" to be great.

3- Above average but not enough so to get much playtime in my list.

2- Average

1- Lacking

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EmptyMy
on 2002-10-07 03:10:41

Weirdboy. Lotus 2 was a huge hit. To the Amiga it was, at least. The Amiga version had different, and IMO better, music too. I have yet to find a remix on that theme. While I search, I can at least listen to this kickass remix.

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DarkeSword
on 2002-10-06 23:17:24

This piece has a great groove to it. Fantastic to dance to. Good stuff!

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Weirdboyscott
on 2002-10-04 18:28:12

Heh, when I first saw the game that this song was from, I was a little surprised, I thought I was the only one who owned this flop of a game, it was way too easy, but the music was catchy, yargh! Heh, but good mix none the less, nice SFX usage.

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Ginnsu
on 2002-10-04 15:07:15

Lotus II R.E.C.S. 'Overdrive'

This is one very cool set of instruments in this mix with some amazing effects on them. They sound very much like 303s or 404s with very cool note arrangement. I especially love the hollow sounding loop. Besides the instrumentation, of course, there is the entire arrangement and the sound effects. This overdrive car theme that's going in is very cool. The drums seem some what bland in sample quality and repetitiveness, but I might just be aching for some Break Beat, so don't take my word on that one. Excellent piece of work, Hornpipe2, keep it up.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Lotus II (Electronic Arts , 1993, GEN)
Music by Patrick Phelan,Sound Images
Songs:
"Shamrip"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Dance,Trance
Mood:
Happy
Instrumentation:
Synth
Additional:
Time > 4/4 Time Signature
Time > Duration: Short
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Lotus_2_Overdrive_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
2,200,357 bytes
MD5:
c274a637d7830a0fd758ef4d0a115fde
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
2:12

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