ReMix: Seiken Densetsu 3 'Path-ology'

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Scott Porter, alias OverCoat, who's been around the game music arrangement scene for quite awhile, submits a cool downbeat ambient/soundtrack piece from SD3, covering "Few Paths Forbidden" in a style reminiscent of DJs Shadow, Krush, et. al.; so much so, I would say, that if you dig either of those artists this is almost satisfaction guaranteed. The cross-panned delay synth riff, very soundtrackish, sustained synth pads, repetitive (but atmospherically so) drum loop, pulsing synth bass, beautifully delayed violin, and a waxy little amplitude modulated synth that comes in around 1'35" and gets some nice counter-rhythms going with its own sustain - found that particularly hypnotizing. So did Scott, apparently, as it gets its own little breakout section/solo of sorts soon afterwards, as the elements are decomposed and recomposed. This is very much the type of mix that, while it sounds full, is fairly minimalist, and relies on the perfection or near-perfection of every constituent element to work at all. You can't really have a deliberate, downbeat mix like this, with five or six elements and significant repetition, and not have each of those elements be well-chosen and interesting in some way, and also cohesive, but fortunately Scott's picked and chosen well. That doesn't mean there couldn't have been more to the mix - the panel's two-member dissent opinion cited repetition and minimal arrangement of the original, with the violin being the only tell-tale sign. These are both legit crits, and they're both ways this mix could have been better - I do agree with them. However, I also think Scott's taking a riff and built an enjoyable groove, something I'll definitely be listening to in the future, and part of downbeat necessitates some repetition. Malcos says it well:

"The soundscape here is very pleasant to listen to. My only reservation is that the flutes sounded a little odd at times with the delay. I agree with GL that I feel that the weaker parts of the source tune were left out, and I think the mix is better because of it. A little more variation, perhaps the addition of another section, would have stepped this mix up another notch."

Pretty much. I think most will enjoy this chill SD3 mix from "newcomer" OverCoat as it was probably meant to be enjoyed, as a straightforward, transporting meditation on the specific melody covered by violin from the original, with roots in soundtrack and trip-hop vibes.

― djpretzel