Posted 2004-12-05, evaluated by djpretzel


I primarily played the first TMNT game on the NES and this fairly arcade-accurate incarnation on the SNES, among the many turtle titles in existence. Back in the day, I was quite a fan of the fearsome foursome, standing in line for over an hour to catch a special sneak preview of the first live-action film. I also had, and for all I know still have, a bitchin' Krang impersonation, and am in possession of the original graphic novels by Eastman and Laird. I still consider TMNT 4's usage of Mode 7 to throw baddies into the screen in a 3D fashion pretty neat. But enough about me, let's talk about zircon and tefnek. They've teamed up for a turtled techno wallop that'll leave you shell-shocked... let me stop right there before it gets any worse. Suffice it to say, we got some kickin' electronica techno-funk action, mutant ninja style. Outta the gates you got a rippin' synth riff that's joined by a heavy beat with a GREAT example of using funky clavs going on to boot. Bass gets into the action, with a synth stack taking on the lead, later joined by some disco-style string stabs. Things go NSFstyle circa 2'41" for a quick breakout that transitions nicely, with 808/CR78 percussion taking over for the bigger beat in the following section. The sheer variety of synths and drums being thrown at the listener in rapid-but-calculated succession is impressive, and the same sort of technique you see in AE's work or in Star's recent Fei Long mix is applied here, though with less emphasis on cutting up the entire track and more on internal manipulations that don't partition the overall beat. This seems to be one of the more seamless collaboration mixes, as tefnek indicates:

"this is a collaboration between zircon and i. we remixed the song Sewerage from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Turtles in Time (called "06 Sewerage" in the spc at zophars). i hope you guys like, cuz we had a blast working together."

There's two types of collab mixes, basically - the type where each ReMixer draws on the other's strengths, which usually involve one person focusing on an instrumental or programming aspect, and the other type, which simply involve two mixers with comparable skills working off one another. I'd say this falls into the latter category, as both tefnek and zircon are more-than-competent at electronica. I don't know the specifics about who did what here, but it sounds very whole. Great, enjoyable collab beats; there's really only one (gratuitous) word which can adequately sum things up: Cowabunga!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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RedVII
on 2015-03-01 15:29:38

I had to write my thoughts for this track, since I've consumed it beyond counting by now and it's well-deserved. This is my favorite track in all of OCR, and IMO one of the greatest pieces of music I've listened. That's a powerful statement, and I say it having listened to a lot of music.

I think most remixes are quick to dive into the main tune that they're mixing, but this track ambitiously takes its time, and pulls it off well. The main theme doesn't even start until about a 1:45 in, after they're done perfecting an intense intro with wicked drumming. At that point when the actual tune becomes transparent in the track, I was already obsessed. I didn't think it could get any better until they return to the softer tune around 3:00. It just couldn't get any better, I don't know if I've heard anything else that satisfies my ears in just the right way at the right time; this does it. I think it's a perfect blend of instruments, tunes, masterful timing, and nostalgia.

I still get blown away by the delivery of this remix, when I blast it in my car or apartment. I just can't believe how this was made in 2004 and I missed it all these years. Major props to Zircon and Tefnek.

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Crulex
on 2010-06-14 14:57:38

Oh, yeah, I can hear tefnek and Zircon's stuff in here for sure. This is just one of those tracks where the styles blend together. Amazingly well played off each other. The 8-bit part had to be my favorite. Good track built from TMNT's best game!

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OA
on 2010-01-28 10:19:50

Some super awesome effects and rhythms added to a great source makes me pretty happy- The one thing that doesn't stand up to the awesomeness of the rest of the track is the ending, which sortof sputters out when it should finish strong. Otherwise solid and interesting- a great collab. :-)

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42
on 2009-12-20 19:02:30

My main complaint against this is that the melody isn't to prominent; it feels buried deep in the mix.

Also, while this is what I would describe as a narrow sounding mix, an impressive amount of stuff happens in there, and that's really, really cool. :shock:

It's really interesting to here all the variations possible within a given set of limitations. It makes for a rare and interesting listen.

Ultimately, I really like this mix a lot.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-02-25 23:59:19

NICE. I think the best thing about this mix is that it waits until we are really in the thick of everything going on before it reveals its hand, and then continues to layer surprises on top of that. Never boring for a millisecond.

I've been completely ignorant of the TMNT soundtracks my whole life, as I've never been a Turtles fan (blasphemy?), but I'm very happy that there is an community set up with the goal to get me to appreciate it against all odds. This is some really great stuff.

This mix is a big deal. For the site, and in general.

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burning shadow
on 2007-01-23 17:34:38
TMNT4 had, IMO, one of the best soundtracks of the SNES era, and we definitely need more ReMixes (Alleycat Blues anyone?). After listening to this version, I just had to listen to the whole soundtrack again (spc files ftw).

About this ReMix: I really like what you guys made of it. The original tune is incorporated very nicely. I like it how it breaks down a little after the 8-Bit part, picks up some speed, then becomes rather quiet, before it explodes again, getting even better at 3:57.

Gimme more of dat!

Absolutely agree. Can't say better.. :)

Thank you guys for this fantastic remix! Hope there will be more.. :)

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zircon
on 2006-10-31 00:37:10

Hehe, yeah... most of the time it was me laying down the more basic stuff and tefnek sort of took it and went nuts. He's the man.

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GrrDraxin
on 2006-10-30 03:18:39

I like this remix alot, even though I haven't heard the source material. And if you're like me and like to mess with music with some simple plug-ins, then you'll love messing with this song with Chronotron.

This song sounds best, and gets a good lengthening when set at roughly 3/4 of it's original tempo and key, roughly 70.7% and -600 cents.

That also allows you to hear all the fun things they did in this mix.

Kudos to you!

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Psychotic Ninja
on 2006-02-18 19:30:20

I have always loved TMNT IV: Turtles in Time, and the soundtrack, so hearing a remix of the Sewage level made me smile.

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Martin Penwald
on 2006-02-07 09:49:12

TMNT4 had, IMO, one of the best soundtracks of the SNES era, and we definitely need more ReMixes (Alleycat Blues anyone?). After listening to this version, I just had to listen to the whole soundtrack again (spc files ftw).

About this ReMix: I really like what you guys made of it. The original tune is incorporated very nicely. I like it how it breaks down a little after the 8-Bit part, picks up some speed, then becomes rather quiet, before it explodes again, getting even better at 3:57.

Gimme more of dat!

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Less Ashamed Of Self
on 2006-02-06 15:00:57

Part of what makes this song so cool is that if you know zircon and/or tefnek's styles, it's a delightful fusion of both. Much like Clairvoyant Elegy is a good fusion of TO's Bladiator's styles.

Very cool little song. Collabs always rock, ninja turtles rock, music rocks, rocks rock... rock.

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MisterBiggler
on 2006-01-31 15:23:39

Yeah this shit is hot; I'm def. loving the drums. 2:41-55 is fantastic. Makes me wanna bust the SNES out. Good ish, yall.

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RoyBatty
on 2006-01-31 00:41:41

I found this site a few days ago and I have been furiously downloading ever since. So far, I've heard some incredible mixes but this one takes the cake, absolutely. Brilliant work.

My iPod is very happy (and so am I).

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qwertycho
on 2005-06-13 20:54:19

This song rocks! Brings back the good ol' turtle days. But at the same time it's crispy and provides crunch... the kind of crunch that you and I like.

Well, if that doesn't make sense, just download the song and you'll understand.

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ellywu2
on 2005-03-23 16:56:14

this song is the dogs bollocks.

Nuff said.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (Konami , 1992, SNES)
Music by Harumi Ueko,Kazuhiko Uehara,Mutsuhiko Izumi
Songs:
"Sewer Surfin' (Stage 3 BGM)"

Tags (5)


Genre:
Funk
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Strings,Synth
Additional:
Origin > Collaboration

File Information


Name:
Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_4_Waste_Water_Wipeout_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,262,190 bytes
MD5:
15fefa63c4ced3f6b85697541bcf5fe5
Bitrate:
175Kbps
Duration:
4:41

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