ReMix: The Legend of Zelda 'Gold Cartridge'

Download MP3
2,672,350 bytes, 2:47, 128kbps

• Trade-in your Games or Anime DVDs!
• OC ReMix Shirts & Merch
• Games:
  • DS | GBA | GC | PS2 | WII | XBOX | 360
  • Imports & Pre-owned
• Anime:
  • DVDs & Merchandise

Ahh, that Zelda overworld theme. One of the great original melodies of RPG gaming and gaming at large, really - not complex, not radically innovative, just solid as a rock and PERFECT for the game. That seems to be Kondo's forte - relatively simple thematic scores that nevertheless are genius in that the few motifs are all absolutely perfect for the material and they're reused and rearranged expertly as well. Quinn Fox wanders out of the Phantasy Star camp for a bit (heathen!) to give us his take on this classic bit of Nintendo tunage with his latest ReMix, Gold Cartridge. Judges credited Quinn for doing something new (in this case, that translates to "not techno") with the theme. Of course, they might be forgetting that K. Pras did some really wild things with the same theme a while back in his Fear and Sufferance mix, but this is different from that as well. Here we have a strange assortment of instruments - the too-seldom-used fretless bass, tabla, bell/glockenspiel, ensemble strings, choir, and some upbeat rock drums that come in at 0'35", arranged interestingly. The break section in the middle is lengthy and adds some definite variety and builds, and check out the little winds break at 2'20" - great idea to throw something like this in there, as solo instruments help balance so many ensemble sounds. The one weakness, which I actually felt our judges were a little light on, is the mixing - Prot mentioned the lack of stereo which is pretty basic, and I'd go a step further and say that the universal application of reverb usually isn't a good idea - to me it sounds like the drums, bass, basically the whole enchilada is processed through the same amount of verb, which (unless it's VERY minimal) is usually not a good idea. So, mixing issues set aside, everything *else* is in place, where it should be, and this is a unique ReMix of a well-known theme that goes in new directions. Check it out.

― djpretzel