ReMix: F-Zero 'BlueVacation'

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Gotta love LousySpy's style. In the true spirit of OverClocked ReMix, this piece takes a well-known theme, Big Blue from F-Zero, and turns it on its head completely (with panache, as well). Yeah, it's a carribean, guitar-strumming, island-percussion, steel-drum laden, flute soloin' arrangement . . . and a half. You can just picture LousySpy making this, hovering maniacally over his keyboard, waiting to unleash his surprise. Sure, we've had our share of unexpected genre conversions . . . I don't think too many people would have listened to Bubble Bobble and thought 'Hillbilly', for one, but it's always nice to see more of this, and F-Zero just seemed like an unlikely candidate in particular. Also good to hear rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming of this ilk, which is believable enough and which we don't get too often. Bitchin' flute solo included for the same low price, but to me it's the percussion that LousySpy especially nailed well. Triplets are yum (and you can quote me on that). Memorable, unexpected, and certainly welcome. Recommended.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Haha, this is one of those things you can show someone familiar with the original, and he'll probably laugh once he recognzies it. An unexpected but well fitting style for the song, gets you smiling. A favorite of many, no doubt.
OCR needs more steel drums.

- Rozovian on February 22, 2009

NeoSparda;13692 wrote: I must admit, the first time I heard this, I thought "Chocobo" from the ever-popular Final Fantasy series, but I was quickly made a fool of!

Lions and tigers and... chocobos? Oh, my!
I definitely hear Ukulele de Chocobo (FF9) in this mix. Whether this is due to an intentional combination of two vastly dissimilar tracks or simply a coincidence of cosmic proportions, I agree that this remix is very clever... and very fun! Steelpans make me happy.

- K.B. on November 3, 2008

An awesome and unexpected style-shift here, and it works very well. Improve some of the samples and it'd be a pretty definitive and classic OC remix.
As is, though the lead brass instrument is pretty weak, and it drags down.
Percussion is incredible though, the rhythms are perfect and they are nicely layered.
The structure is very similar to the original, but the complete style overhaul actually makes the similarities welcome. The second iteration of the melody has the lead instruments vary up the melody a bit, with the steel drums especially adding some nice spice (maybe some jerk seasoning? ;-) )
He may be a LousySpy, but he's an excellent arranger.

- OA on June 11, 2008

A very enjoyable remix in the classic sense of the term. Overall, the sound is ok, even if one might find it an inch to midi-ish for closer listening: the instruments could use just a hint less precision to appear more natural (since this is a lifely mix by intent). But really, this is no problem. The song is fun to listen to, relaxing, adherent to norms well and rightfully established, and as a result fine background music for better or for worse.

- maelkashishi on December 14, 2007

One of the first remixes I've ever downloaded from OCR (more than 4 years ago...), and I always liked it. As well as my other favorites, this has been burnt on several CDs and my friends like this as well.
Shows really well how an OC ReMix should be. The reinterpretation here is awesome, I always appreciate when a ReMixEr is creative enough to pick a fast hard rock song and turn it in something unexpected... hawaiian music??? Then the second section of this song is completely rearranged, raising my love for this song even more. Good sound quality + change of genre + wise use of OST + interesting rearrangement = MASTERPIECE
DOWNLOAD NOW PLZ

- Nineko on December 19, 2006

I think it's familliar enough to know where it's from but the steel drums and the rhythm pattern give it such a neat feel that it really feels like something fresh.

- Grzesik on October 22, 2005

I have to say I absolutely love the style. If I hadn't played F-Zero since the 4th grade, oh, 13 years ago, I might guess that the tune was originally written this way. Right on target with the percussion and guitar, creates a great stylistically accurate feel. Here's something that's totally backwards: usually electronic steel drum sounds sound completely fake, while wind instruments are usually almost tolerable. However, in this mix, the steel pan sounds almost authentic, while the trumpet and flute have a very harsh General MIDI edge. I think if this mix were revamped with professional quality sounds for the trumpet and flute, it would be good enough that I might actually consider putting it on a CD and listening to it on the way to work.
A bit of trivia: Steel drums (Steel pan) are not from Jamaica. They originate on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, and are the national instrument of that country.

- crbern2 on September 21, 2005

very relaxing and mellow track. great work

- LiquidTrance on September 20, 2004

SO KICKASS!!!!! Dude I never would have expected to hear F-Zero music so laid back and gentle, but this is awesome. One of the greats, excelent tune!!

- Vash the Stampede on May 8, 2004

Seriously one of the most fun and tropical sounding mix in the entire OCR site 8)
I've been listening this track for atleast a year and it never really got old. That must mean the track has enough twist and turns for it to not sound repetitive.
Kudos!

- NightWish on November 17, 2003

This is more of a Jamaican/Hawaian (no offense, I have a Jamaican friend) and this has to be the coolest "fusion" ReMix EVER! That's all I got to say!

- Mahjong No OujiSama Yoshi on November 17, 2003

Over all, i really like this mix. It makes me wanna but in one of those Corona commercials, on the beach with a beach and hot women all around... with some weird guys in the back playing guitar and bongos. This isn't really something anyone would think would come from a fast-pace game like F-Zero... but you gotta admit, wouldn't be just jamming to be cruising that f'ing fast, with this blaring in your system as you pass your adversaries.
Overall, i think this is a jamming mix, and an excellent song to listen to while not in the normal state of mind...

- lord-meat on November 13, 2003

I guess I didn't expect a Hawaii Mix either... But DAMN YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THIS STUFF!! Relaxes so well... Its awesome...
I found it on the roulette, and just listened to it. I came back here when the song was finished just to write a gleaming review!
Rating: This IS going on a CD

- ScytheML on October 2, 2003

A nice little "vacaton" mix....Not exactly what I wanted to hear with Big Blue, considering that most other genres could have done a better job with it when done right. Not that I'm saying it's bad, just that it's not going to go on my list of favs.
82.5%

- Corporal Eschebone on July 15, 2003

The relaxing guitars of the intro reminded me of Summers from Earthbound for some unknown reason. Now that certainly isn't a bad thing, no sir. In fact it lends it's way to becoming a personal favorite of mine and Blue Vacation is a favorite. The steel drums fit perfectly and you can instantly reconize that it's Big Blue music for those of you familiar with F-Zero. To take a hard rocking song like that and redo into something that would be at home while vacationing on San Diego's beaches is amazing. Simply brilliant work LousySpy.

- Guy In Rubber Suit on June 18, 2003

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