Posted 2007-04-05, evaluated by djpretzel


So, yes, ReCapitated was, as some surmised readily and others not so readily, a wee bit of April Fools shenanigans on our part; thanks to Andy and all involved for putting it all together. Even if it didn't take the years claimed, it was still a fun way of marking the occasion, and for some reason "Ice Cap Hurts" as a mix title cracks me up to no end. There's nothing unserious about this Ice Cap mix from BGC, however: completely independent from the sonic mirth that was ReCapitated, Jimmy's created a kickass electronica rendition with what can only be described as a wicked synth solo. If 2'20" doesn't get your inner synth hero workin' overtime, nuttin' will. There's a plethora of Eastern-themed instrumentation and slower, atmospheric passages mixed in with the groove bits; everything screams quality. The odd, boomerang fade key change transition is a little weird, and still feels that way after five or six listens, but everything else is comfortable, varied, and executed with diamond precision, so perhaps a little non-sequitur turn was needed to keep the gods appeased. At under four minutes, this mix sorta sits in a liminal space between groove-oriented jam and exploratory, linear song; there are enough gaps and transitions that it feels narrative at times, but you can still shake your money-maker to it. Very cool. While everything comes together and the blend of warmer ethnic components with chilled, pristine digital synth bliss is compelling, the highlight for me is the aforementioned synth solo, which shreds it up something fierce. For those who had a fever whose only prescription was more Ice Cap that may have been underwhelmed by our A1 efforts, BGC gives us the real deal on some coverage of the very same theme that, ironically, suggests a single track album project could actually work, if entries were of this quality.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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eggsngaming
on 2016-04-12 20:04:53

This came on in the car as I was doing through OCR 1 through 3000, and I hadn't heard it before or known what it was, I just like to go into a ReMix blind. The first 35 seconds are so pleasing, atmospheric and cold. It sounded like it was going to be a remix of some game I'd never heard of that took place in an ancient Chinese snow mountain or something (who's to say it doesn't?) Then at 0:36 when the main lick of Ice Cap came on I was blown away BOOM instant nostalgia8). I wasn't expecting it because the bass line is different even though it's in the same key as the original.

There's so much I want to talk about here. The busy but unobtrusive bass line starting at 1:28, the often mentioned synth solo (along with the fact that it doesn't drown out everything else), the unexpected ending/key change that gives this mix a unique identity, and the wind chimes/wind breeze that somehow make me feel cold...8O

Everything is so satisfying in this mix I just want to kick back and enjoy it, but at the same time I always want to listen and see if I can hear every instrument/effect. Big Giant Circles has a way of doing that.

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Necrox
on 2015-12-08 18:19:00

The 52 second intro is really nice. Love the instrumentation, lots of flair and atmosphere. That synth solo is indeed kickass and the hat/clap complement it really well. The comeback sounded great, I just wish it didn't fade out so fast. Pretty cool mix.

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Black_Doom
on 2014-12-31 08:10:21

Ok, here we have one more interesting approach to this classic tune... This time it's a kickass electronica, mixed with some Asian instrumentation, and it's pretty damn cool. That solo at 2:20 is just rad. Very good.

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Crulex
on 2011-07-12 17:24:26

Well, damn, you sure nailed the Asian feeling in this ReMix. Out of the hundred and some Ice Cap ReMixes on the site, this is by far my favorite. The ethic sounding beginning was great and seemed like a perfect fit for the source tune, and then breaking out into a rocking electronic midsection with tons of sweet sounding beats (and a Power Rangers nod that I always seem to miss somehow) right before the fake-out ending. I really love how it hits that heavy majestic feeling in the real ending.

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Darklink42
on 2009-12-30 18:50:58

The thing that I've always liked about this remix is the fake-out at 3:10. When I first heard the music fade off, I thought the mix was over, and then it comes back with one last big hurrah before fading out for real.

The purposeful ethnicity of the piece actually makes it sound more distinct from other Ice Cap Zone mixes, and it fits well with the song's overall "icy" sound and feel. I like the chimes especially, because they remind of, for whatever reason, icicles.

I also have to say that I did not catch the Power Rangers theme in there until I read the previous posts. Now I can't unhear it. Nice job with the subtle tribute though.

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42
on 2009-12-14 23:24:12
This song reminded me of Okami. And then I thought just how freaking cool it would be if Amaterasu appeared at Ice Cap, and she had her own music for that level, god that would be it. Absolutely breathtaking.

My mind explodeded. Again.

I love this song so freaking much. It's Asian ethnic, it's techno, it's Arctic, it's amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing. Whenever I listen to this I just want to dance and groove along to it. It really feels like this came straight from the Himalayas or something like that. This is so singularly unique and astounding that you're really not going to find anything else like it and should be in your music collection right now.

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Nutritious
on 2009-12-14 02:18:30

BGC definitely hits the mood right, starting off with some icy pads and wind chimes. This theme has been done so many times that it's especially challenging to come up with something fresh and creative. I think BGC has accomplished that here, though. The eastern inspired instruments play things out well, but then are meshed with an aggressive beat, which kicks the energy up several notches.

I'm liking how things progress from natural to synthetic as synth elements (bass, gated, then later lead) join the fray. Nice touch with the interlude at 2:02 as well (there's a gap in sound there, which is a bit confusing but not a big deal). Love the abrupt breakin at 2:21 that edgy synth lead.

This is definitely on the more liberal side for a while in the middle, it seems, but still retains the original's underpinnings. I'm mixed on wheather the final section and fadeout did the track justice, but again, no real issue there. Great job by Circles bringing something new to an oft-remixed track.

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OA
on 2009-12-01 11:43:25

Nice textures and great icy production via the synths. I dug the little solos and embellishment throughout, and the beats were pretty rockin as well. Jimmy is one of the artists on the site I can really relate to melodically in just about every track, and this one is no exception.

Good stuff. :-D

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MechaFone
on 2007-12-03 21:51:02

This song reminded me of Okami. And then I thought just how fucking cool it would be if Amaterasu appeared at Ice Cap, and she had her own music for that level, god that would be it. Absolutely breathtaking.

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RePENT
on 2007-10-08 20:53:44

Just.... holy shit. The audio production work that obviously went into this, as well as the solo instrumentation, blow me away.

Keep it up, PLEASE, for the good of the people!

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swampbug
on 2007-07-12 15:32:12

2:20 - 2:55 that section needs a Higher energy encore with even MORE beat and awesomeness.

great song

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GrrDraxin
on 2007-04-30 01:35:52

I never got to play much if sonic, but thanks to torrents I've heard just about every version of Ice Capped, except the recapitated ones..... i think.

This is certainly going into my "OCR Best Selection" playlist folder.

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Nobbynob Littlun
on 2007-04-24 23:21:25

I liked the Recapitated one better.

No really! I'm not kidding. Really. I'm serious. Why are you looking at me like that? I really mean it. I'm not joking here. That was a true statement. Really. REALLY. Seriously.

For real.

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NZman
on 2007-04-20 12:45:32

You know, when I first heard the ending, I thought it was really bizarre.

But after hearing it a few times over the last week or so, I think I actually kind of like it. It's as if the song refuses to go down quietly.

The rest of the track was undeniably excellent even during the initial listening.

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Flare4War
on 2007-04-15 13:50:33

Very nice take on this track. Different but very very good.

excellent work.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega , 1994, GEN)
Music by Bobby Brooks,Brad Buxer,C. Cirocco Jones,Darryl Ross,Doug Grigsby III,Geoff Grace,Jun Senoue,Michael Jackson,Tatsuyuki Maeda,Tomonori Sawada
Songs:
"Ice Cap Zone: Act 1"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Regional > World
Usage > Winter Holiday

File Information


Name:
Sonic_the_Hedgehog_3_Eastern_Ice_Field_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,532,720 bytes
MD5:
cde68a13fba90c49f1a32de46d81b40c
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
3:47

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