ReMix: Mega Man 2 'Heatman (Ignition Mix)'

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Houston... we have Mega Man 2 Heatman ReMix! Newcomer Alex Fruen writes:

"It's based on a remix that I submitted to you some time ago that was rejected, after taking some of your advice on how to improve the track I decided to take another stab at the mix as I love the source material so much!"

Excellent to see revised submissions coming in and being accepted. In this instance the revision itself was still mixed a little quiet, but Alex fixed that as well, and the end result is an immersive, entrancing bit of electronica.

Before I talk about the mix, though, I wanted to point out the April is Support OCR Month thread in our forums. Basically, I was talking with the judges about how google ads weren't doing as well, and how I really wanted to focus all my efforts on developing and improving the site, but how it was frustrating to have to also keep very close watch of our ads and shirt sales and everything else, since we're only barely breaking even. Well, Jimmy listened to what I was saying and actually did something about it. He started a thread dedicated towards fundraising for OCR in the month of April. Sometimes, because of our content policy, our LLC status, the amount of content on the site, or any number of things, people mistakenly think that we're an actual business that has ample resources and makes money, etc. This is not the case - money from all our ads, shirt sales, and donations combined only barely breaks even these days due to the operational cost of hosting the site. In other words, we always need whatever help you can provide.

Right then, on to the music... which is easily my favorite part of working on the site, since it is, after all, why I started it in the first place. This mix is electronica of the more understated variety, reminding me of many of the mixes I've heard from the C64 and Amiga remixing communities in terms of production and execution, which is a good thing. Things start and end with (surprise) ignition (of the deep, broad, spae shuttle variety), which is appropriate and also gels with the textures used. Larry took issue with the mix title including "Ignition" but the pace never really building to a climax, but I think in light of this intro/outro effect, it makes complete sense. A thick kick anchors percussion that features lots of nice bitcrushed snares and hihats, for a nuevo-retro sound, although traditional cymbals come in later at 1'34" as things pick up. The chromaticism of the main melodic riff becomes particularly hypnotic with all the delays and panning applied to it, which I think is probably the most important arrangement idea here, and what lets the whole thing work the way it does. Jesse writes:

"I'd call the track 'understated.' I think the concept is very well-executed; the piece is fantastic as a soundtrack-type remix. The energy never kicks your ass, but unlike so many underdeveloped tracks, there's plenty of development here. Sure, it's a background track, but there are plenty of changes in instrumentation and energy throughout the track. The vibe is subtle and evocative. I think the original is used very well."

What he said; I think Jesse sums up my own take on this mix rather perfectly. Good first piece from Alex, whose revisions produced a solid, understated but enjoyable, hypnotic, and deceptively deep ReMix.

― djpretzel