ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Back 2 Skala'

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ambient writes:

"I think it has been a while since my last submission, so here comes my latest collaboration with one of the most talented glitch percussion programmers out there. I started working on this remix about a year ago, and it has its own little story. One time when I was totally bored and hanging in #ocremix, Taucer and I thought of a name for a joke remix - Chrono Wigga. It was intended for OLR, and we planned to put some "white" rapper vocals and wah-wah guitars in there. I started laying down the groundwork, some beats and arrangement ideas using Schala's theme as the source. However, at the time I was listening to a lot of downtempo electronica, and shortly that influence took over the mix completely. One of the thing that remains from the original hip-hop idea is the sub-bass, which has now been toned down a lot. In the process of working on the mix, I couldn't make percussion I was 100% happy with, and that is when I listened to some of Skrypnyk's glitch tracks. He agreed to work on the drums for this remix and I gave him complete creative freedom. At this point, the track formed into more or less what it is today.

So, why Back 2 Skala? Well, when I first played Chrono Trigger, I assumed that Schala's name was pronounced "Skala", instead of "Shala". Now I know that the proper way of pronouncing it is most likely "Shala", since in the Japanese version of the game it was spelled "Sara". To me, though, it will always be "Skala" (you have to admit, it does sound better). Also, Back 2 Skala is a reference to a relatively new track by one of my favorite bands, which other fans will easily recognize. This mix took a long time to complete and it could be my last remix. Or at least my last remix for a long while. There are other priorities in my life right now, and hobbies tend to suffer first. I want to thank Skrypnyk for his great work and dedication to the project. Skrypnyk had only one short message for the panel: "I like drums =)." And it shows. He really exceeded my expectations on the drums and did a great job mastering the track. It turned out to be a successful fusion of Reason and FL. Special thanks goes to Zircon for giving me feedback regardless of how many times I bothered him. Could not have pulled it off without his advice."

That was a lot to quote, but since we might not be seeing Alex for awhile, I thought it was all pretty pertinent. Nice to see what would have been a joke mix turn into something that is clearly not, even if the title maintains a little of the goofiness. The drums add spades to the overall production, here; the minimal melodic, harmonic, and bass elements all rest on the rhythm track not so much as a crutch, but as a bed. BGC loves him some electronica, and ain't too shabby at it, neither, and he says:

"Dang. This rocks. The stutter drums are amazing. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this is awesome stuff. Strings opening are cool. Pretty mellow interpretation--seems this mix basically picked up the Schala chord progression and ran with it off into a hybrid-ambient-trance-onica sunset. Really beautiful. Again for emphasis, the stutter drums are awesome. I also love the TLC given to the stereo spectrum. Nice work, fellows. ABSOFREAKINLUTELY"

Often so-called "stutter" drums are used for more of an aggressive approach... what's particularly interesting here is that, while they're all over the place and vary intelligently and subtly, they don't change the overall ambient, laid back feeling the piece has. The tiny little FX and drums sputtering and spattering here and there sound not unlike insects, or some form of nanotechnology run amok, but in a rhythmic way. It's different from ambient's own material and it's different from most electronica on the site, combining lo-fi elements with very intricate yet delicate drum work to create a thing of beauty. I initially felt like perhaps the artists had erred on the side of being too minimalistic, as the bass and fleshed out pads do take their sweet time coming in, but when they arrive it's worth the wait, and things develop with a patience and restraint that seems almost like musical calligraphy. Very Zen, very serene, but not muzak and far from easy listening... ambient and Skrypnyk definitely work well together, and if this is Alex's last mix forever or just awhile (preferably the latter), then it's a good way to exit.

― djpretzel