ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Anthem of Exile'

JJT's first ReMix was a good mix with a great title. His sophomore effort, however, took things up not just to another level, but to another game entirely, and remains one of my favorite piano game arrangements. His latest, from FF6, is a multi-instrumental affair in the tradition of Mazedude (for the multiple real instruments, not the style), with - no false advertising here, folks - real trumpet, and a bitchin, totally indulgent rock organ solo. One pictures epileptic fits of organ madness in some rock arena setting, ala the glory days of Emerson, Lake and Palmer...let's see what the Jiggin man himsef has to say:

"This is a ReMix of the Figaro Castle theme from FF6, otherwise known as Edgar & Sabin, or Edgar & Mash. I play three different instruments, and thought it would be cool to incorporate all three into a ReMix. This piece is, at its heart, a trumpet duet. All trumpet parts are performed by me on a Bach model 37. The piano accompanyment was recorded on a Steinway grand, and I did the guitar part on my cheap Yamaha. All other parts were performed in real time on a keyboard. This includes the drum track. Absolutly no sequencing was used in the making of this ReMix. That being said, this whole deal is merely an excuse for me to take a self-indulgent, virtuostic rock organ solo. Hope you enjoy it."

At least he's honest about that organ solo :) Would that many a track sound as good as this "excuse"; personally, though the solo does take the spotlight rather unabashedly, I think the trumpet duet is the core, and for me is the primary lure, as you don't see real brass around here all that often, and the murky, soft jazz-inspired tones are very mellow and contrast well with the harder-edged B3, though fitting right in alongside the very human piano and acoustic guitar. This mix masterfully oscillates between mellow and grandiose, lyrical and rockin', and the live, unsequenced element adds to the organic immediacy of the atmosphere. Recommended.

― djpretzel