ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Time Management'

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6,278,281 bytes, 6:32, 128kbps

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Newcomer E-Bison offers up a four-on-the-floor techno arrangement from Chrono Trigger that involves some poetic license but also incorporates some other unique elements. The ReMixer explains, "I had fun doing this track. Not only is the CT main theme on of my personal favourites, but I got to try out my minidisk and sample 6 different clocks! Also, I included some game samples as transitional material. The voice samples used are from the Original Astral Projection hypnosis tapes (sampled frequently by AstralProjection the Group), as well as some crazy self help tapes." - there you have it, six different clocks. No one can accuse him of clock sample monotony :) Actually, the way these clock loops form a layered rhythm is rather cool, and judges unanimously noted that synths, pads, bass, etc. are all high-quality. The bassline is interesting in that it sits on the root initially then opts not to change with the chord progression, and it also sometimes skips an offbeat or does a little rhythmic variation in transition between bars - nice touch. Using the whole "time management" concept, with the samples and what not, is stylistically interesting and cohesive, and rather clever. The mixing, layering, stereo imaging, and programming on some of the underlying synth riffs are all impressive. In the end, I think the mix could have been a minute or two under its 6'32" running time, or instead used some of that time for a solo or more dramatic breakdown that really shook things up a bit. While largely positive, judges had some comments about the "extra notes" that E-Bison's added to Mitsuda's original, but I had no reservations there myself and they seemed entirely intentional and informed. Israfel writes: "Really fantastic work in my opinion. It manages to stay interesting, add original ideas and pull off these ideas in a convincing way - all the things a good mix should do. This is one of the very few times I can actually say I *enjoyed* a 4-on-the-floor type dance track, and as such, gotta go with a yes" - and I'd tend to agree; techno is a very explored, "done" genre, and most of us know essentially what to expect from a average to above-average techno game arrangement these days. It takes a couple touches here and there to raise eyebrows or get some new angles workin', and E-Bison pulls that off with a combination of nuance programming, conceptually themed samples, and... six different clock samples. Recommended.

― djpretzel