ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 'Pure Black, or Marbles and Cream?'

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Happy Chanukah, Merry Xmas, and... I don't really know when Kwanzaa occurs, specifically, but have a good one of those, too, while you're at it. Rather than inundate you with french hens, turtledoves (which I wouldn't even know what to do with), and maids-a-milking (some ideas), Kris Pretzel is taking time away from Die Hard - best Xmas movie EVAR - to post the latest from Red Tailed Fox and the Prophet of Mephisto. Caio writes:

"It's an attempt at jazz. I don't know if I fully achieved my goal but it does sound jazzy enough to me. I called Prophet when about half of the arrangement was done and asked if he could do a live sax for the song, he agreed and after some really smooth work we managed to complete it. We are pretty proud of it, and we hope you guys can enjoy it."

It might not be traditional holiday music, but it's pretty groovy nonetheless, pairing a jazz arrangement with some synth elements up with Mephisto's gravelly, soulful live sax. Mephisto previously worked with juggler extraordinaire Taucer on Canvas of Dreams, a pairing which produced equally enjoyable results. You've got a moving, well-sequenced jazz kit part, bouncy upright acoustic bass, mellow electric piano that alternates between chords and finishing riffs, vibes, synth-brass circa 1'50" that represents the most clearly synthetic instrumentation choice, and at 2'35" some peculiar distorted synth/guitar that takes a solo of its own. The overall composition is strong, but also relies on and benefits from the dynamic, human sax performance that Mephisto brings to the game. RTF shows that his initial success with Sonic 3 was no fluke, and Mephisto again lends his abilities to create a finished product that's much stronger than it would have been without them. All in all, if you didn't get an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, Range Model air rifle with a compass on the stock and this thing which tells time this yuletide (you'd have shot your eye out, anyway), Caio and Brad have provided an excellent backup gift and a strong, musical mix.

― djpretzel