ReMix:Super Mario Bros. 2 "Underground Riddims" 2:41

By MkVaff

Arranging the music of one song...

"Underground BGM"

Primary Game: Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo , 1988, NES), music by Koji Kondo

Posted 2002-01-25, evaluated by djpretzel


The McV strikes again, this time with that most repetitive of underground themes, the Mario 2 underground music. I was honestly skeptical when I double-clicked on this file - even if it IS The McVaffe, how can a theme that so haunted my youth, with its billions of iterations per minute, be resurrected & reformatted in a way that I'd appreciate? I don't fault the original composer, no sirree, but this WAS a theme that drove me somewhat insane. Well, you may be guessing where I'm going with this, but he pulls it off - primarily by covering the theme itself with excellent percussion (love dem rolls) & 'riddim', but also in adding an excellent solo sitar towards the end that makes the track complete. Sitar patche used is good stuff, too, and articulated believably. Very clean production as always, and "the solid quality and reliability you've come to expect" from McVaffe. Personal thanks to him for ReMixing a song I didn't think could be made into an enjoyable mix on its own. Observation - the percussion, at the very beginning, sounds like the intro to Sade's 'Smooth Operator'. Appropriate.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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CC Ricers
on 2014-03-27 00:51:13

Very chill vibe here, I really like the piano and percussion gives the source music a new feel. Seems like Mario is just sipping some coffee and reading the newspaper at a Wall Street cafe. But that fadeout ending leaves you wanting more. It could have wrapped up some other way when the energy was just starting to build up.

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Holy Land
on 2010-10-25 12:33:32

This is such a memorable piece.

Short and sweet, stops at the very right moment (before boredom), and every single sitar note added is absolutely perfect. Even so, for me, it's the percussion that makes the mix.

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Crulex
on 2010-02-27 16:16:27

A bit too short and it sounds like it could have been expanded at the end, but it works for me. The intro and the beginning piano are gold. The sitar is probably the best part. This mix would work in a street market in the more eastern countries IMO. Like I said, short, but recommended.

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Bahamut
on 2010-01-07 11:28:54

So other than some production aspects, this song is just too short. Just when I expect it to build into something more, the song undergoes a fadeout :-( .

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Marmiduke
on 2009-10-16 06:46:41

This is one of those source tunes that seems to be made with remixing in mind. Short, distinct and ultra-flexible.

I like that McVaffe hasn't messed with the tune's simplicity all that much, but rather made it much more structured and easier on the ears. Gone is the grungy, wonky sensibilities of the original and replaced with some very pleasant strings and piano. The sitar brings in that world influence and some much desired expansion on the short theme.

In all, I don't think this is anything earth-shattering, however for a source that has a lot of cool ideas but in a less than ideal form, this mix is just what was called for. +1 point for McVaffe.

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DragonAvenger
on 2009-09-11 23:12:38

This mix is awesome in how well it transforms the source. Perfect style change going on, and way to make a repetative (though catchy) source listenable, and even enjoyable. Still a fun listen.

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OA
on 2007-01-02 11:34:21

Considering how repetative the source is, I was a bit nervous listening, but this mix really creates the perfect mood and keeps it fresh. The percussion is fantastic, and the strings sound perfectly smooth. Just when the piano theme gets to be too much, it drops out and we are treated to a little sitar solo.

Overall its a good mix, but repeated listens are completely out of the question because of the source. It just starts grating after 2-3 listens in a row. :/

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Liontamer
on 2006-12-17 01:18:48
I think this one was removed or something, but if you can find it, check it out.

You might be thinking of "Phazeremix Rag" getting removed.

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Mustin
on 2006-12-16 19:35:44

I think this one was removed or something, but if you can find it, check it out. This theme has always been one of my favourites from the Mario games and I arrange it any chance I get. McVaffe lays it down nice and simple here. Great percussion, good sounds, clean production and just typical McVaffe-goodness.

A good arrangement of one of my favourites. If you liked the Super Mario Bros. 2 music, check this out.

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dull soul
on 2005-03-10 20:31:23

Ahh, this such a laidback and easy to listen to song. I remember digging down through the pyramids to this beat almost too well. The repetitive nature of the song doesn't even bother me thanks to the way McVaffe smoothed everything out. Good work, man. [Relaxes]

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Longinus
on 2003-12-07 01:40:12

McV does absolutely the best percussion. Absolutely. Everything about this mix just fits perfectly. Highly recommended.

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Krythan
on 2003-12-06 19:11:29

Smooth as silk, and the sitar really fits in perfectly.

More ear candy from McVaffe :D

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trashmanal
on 2003-10-27 22:43:52

I've downloaded a lot of McVaffe's stuff here, and I generally kinda like McVaffe's remixes on here, but didn't find them that great. But this one... WOW.

Maybe I'm just a weird person that loved the SMB2 underground theme. I did... as repetive as it was, it was still mysterious sounding and really got me into the mood of this game.

I listened to this, and it bugged me at first 'cause the initial chords weren't exactly the same, but once the piano came in, I was like "cool" and then the violins came in and just blew me away. I never imagined violins there but they were perfect. And yes, the sitar was very cool... also added to the mysteriousness of the track. This would fit perfect in a game or just to groove to. I think even those that hated the original theme might like this. Gotta hand it to McVaffe for taking 10 seconds of music and turning it into almost 3 minutes of awesome sound.

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LibertyCabbage
on 2003-10-06 21:54:20

1337

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provoker
on 2002-09-22 18:48:02

This was one of the very first remixes I downloaded from

this OC and it still has a special place in my hea.... ehhh on my drive!

Its so laidback and cool! And that sitar gives me goosebumps everytime!

Highly recommended even if this genre´s not everyones cup of tea!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo , 1988, NES)
Music by Koji Kondo
Songs:
"Underground BGM"

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File Information


Name:
Super_Mario_Bros_2_Underground_Riddims_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,946,572 bytes
MD5:
1defa9a3b94b030cebd950a958475c47
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
2:41

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