ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Greater Alchemic Patchwork'

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This ReMix is actually over three years old and is only seeing the light of day now because, prior to his departure, Mr. Dover was convinced to submit it by Mr. GrayLightning. The production is somewhat dated, relative to Israfel's more recent material, but it's not a major sticking point, and the arrangement is rather fun. I consider this almost the photo negative of my coverage of Veldt, which intentionally simplifies almost every aspect of the original and turns it into an 80's synth-jazz Candy Dulfer instrumental. That's not what you'd really expect from Israfel, and indeed things are a little more challenging here, including some "oh-my-god-when-I-tap-along-to-this-there's-an-extra-beat" sections in (relatively) exotic 9/4 time. The ReMixer writes:

"Greater Alchemic Patchwork (Final Fantasy VI) - This is basically a sequel to Lesser Kerubic Patchwork written shortly after the first one was completed. Being a sequel, there are quite a few similarities to Lesser Kerubic- I won't bother to list them all but suffice it to say, the formal structures are quite similar and you have a funky little brass bassline in both pieces (also, notice that both mixes are about the same length; one of the many stupid little details I put in my music that no one ever catches). So anyway, this is just a light-hearted take on the veldt theme that I hope you enjoy."

Mike's got a different definition of "light-hearted" than I do, probably, but you can still sense that there's a bit more whimsy than usual as he works the up-tempo beat mojo. I get outpaced in Larry Oji's world:

"This track showed its age vis-a-vis the standard more than Gray cares to let on, as there's some noticeable dullness to the production, but I still think the product was solid, which is why I'm glad we got it. Those fast strings were definitely not hitting me right, but the drumloops in particular were groove-bias-good, and luckily didn't carry the arrangement of Wild West.

I felt like the instrumentation really picked up strength after 2:08 and no longer strained for credibility so glaringly, even the fast string notes. The brass work was excellent there as well. Nice and intensive pace the whole way through, and the sudden xylophone ending at 3:37 was a nice touch to close it out. "The Sveldt" from djp is booty-shaking fun tackling the same theme, but if you wanna shake your butt EVEN FASTER, Mike makes it happen. It's like dNb with a classy edge that somehow doesn't belong, but clicks regardless."

At any rate, it's definitely a different take on the theme, and while like Gray I feel that Lesser is the greater of the Greater and Lesser respective Kerubic Patchworks, it's still neat to hear the theme so effectively sped up. Not Mike's best piece, as he's certainly progressed in the last several years, but a good, fun one that's stood the test of time well enough, compliments the existing Veldt mixes nicely, and should please FF6 fans lookin' for somethin' a little different.

― djpretzel