ReMix:Tales of Phantasia "Setting Sail" 3:29

By TheDeath

Arranging the music of one song...

"Hydropolis"

Primary Game: Tales of Phantasia (Namco , 1994, SNES), music by Motoi Sakuraba, Ryota Furuya, Shinji Tamura, Toshiyuki Sekiguchi

Posted 2009-03-19, evaluated by the judges panel


Newcomer Javier González Garcés, or "TheDeath" (sounds like an MGS3 boss), writes:

"Hey, this is a mix from Hydropolis from Tales of Phantasia. The song is part of the Tales of Phantasia / Symphonia project. It is an orchestral rendition of that venice alike city, with a new epic touch, as if you were setting sail for new adventures. Hope you like it."

This orchestral debut mix was actually good enough that Larry suspected it might have been ripped off a professional arrange album, but while we don't have time to vet as thoroughly (or not, in some cases) as Obama's team, Andy said he's legit on IRC, and you can check out his site for some pretty darn solid original works. Sound quality is definitely pretty solid, though... you can tell it's not a real orchestra, but everything's still very polished and blended. The intro here has a Super Mario Galaxy feel to it, with a storytime/lullabye progression that changes up at 0'50" to a forte push with some consecutive cymbal splashes and accompanying bombast. From there on out you've got straight-up epic fanfare orchestral work, with the additional nice touch of choral elements at 1'56". Here as well, the execution reminds me of Kondo's full orchestral score to Galaxy - something about the part writing and the way it all flows - and since I love that score, I love this. So did Jimmy:

"I really like the style of the arrangement here. For example, the source intro vs. remix intro is a great example. In the source, it kind of jumps out at you like "Hello, I am the melody!!" But in the mix, the piano adds a lovely and somber touch, giving a totally different feel. Then the grandeur sets in, magically projecting magnificent mental manifestations of miraculousness (how's THAT for alliteration?) and feelings of awe. This is total movie stuff. The quality is amazing, and the arrangement and instrumentation are beautiful. I especially liked the choir at 1:56, and the trumpet preceding. Great work. This is definitely quality stuff."

So did Larry:

"The mix title kind of encroaches on Blake Perdue's Donkey Kong Country 2 'Set Sail', so that's lame, but no big deal clearly... The track's needlessly on the quiet side which unfairly downplayed the power of the writing, but the arrangement was extremely impressive and added a lot more emotion, complexity and dynamics to the source. I didn't really associate the original with a orchestral mix, but looking over it, especially the chorus, it's cool to see how Javier completely realized the potential of that section for the genre. Great, cinematic writing, with many intelligent changes in the instrumentation to keep things fresh throughout. A true breath of fresh air."

Right on. We've been getting a lot of breaths of fresh air lately, and it's downright inspiring to be so thoroughly and purely oxygenated, but this is definitely a memorable debut and a fantastic addition to Summoning of Spirits.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Necrox
on 2015-12-30 20:32:24

I like the tone of this piece a lot. It expands on the source like an orchestral mix should. Good stuff.

I'm also tempted to write a drumline accompaniment to it for some reason...

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EtherEel
on 2012-03-27 19:07:50
This for me, is really a standard for how orchestral arrangements should sound, everything fits together so gracefully, and the arrangement is great. As someone who doesn't know the original source, it sounds a lot like something John Williams would do, which is about as high praise as I can give. Even if you don't like orchestral music, give this a chance, because its worth it.

Fantastic stuff.

echoing that. John Williams doesn't quite come to mind, but I'm not saying the piece is worse - just sounds different.

It's an excellent piece.

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WillRock
on 2012-03-21 21:02:57

This for me, is really a standard for how orchestral arrangements should sound, everything fits together so gracefully, and the arrangement is great. As someone who doesn't know the original source, it sounds a lot like something John Williams would do, which is about as high praise as I can give. Even if you don't like orchestral music, give this a chance, because its worth it.

Fantastic stuff.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-11-13 08:40:13

Quality, quality mixing here. Orchestral done with a really fantastical scope. I love it. Sounds pure and ethereal, its quite soothing and yet it has a great sense of large scale and intimidation. There is so much amazing imagery attached to this.

I had no problem with the choral samples, which do well to add to the airiness of the piece and give it that extra affirmation that this is a full-fledged orchestral arrangement aiming for that professional level. For me, it hits the mark. Although I realise I'm pretty easy to impress.

It would be a shame if this was the last we heard from TheDeath. This is an enormously promising debut and one of my favourite orchestral mixes to come out in the last few years.

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Catharsis
on 2009-04-21 14:47:20

And who am I? Just a guy that loves music and has been self teaching himself how the heck to work with MIDI and how the heck to make music through (lots of) trial and error, and of course, listening :)

Thanks for showing that music, like every other art, is doable by absolutely anyone. Everyone is given the gift of creativity. Fabulous work on this.

I loved the whole piece, but for me individually, the first :50 seconds of the song are my favorite. I wouldn't fight you if you decided to do an entirely separate piece like that, only expanded. :D

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Mtlbro
on 2009-04-12 08:22:16

The arrangement. . .sounds very good. Ever consider movie composing??

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jintoreedwine
on 2009-03-31 11:39:57

I have been loving this mix since I first had a chance to give it a good listen. Orchestral pieces are some of my favourites especially when they sound THIS GOOD. I think you really achieved the effect of that "I'm embarking on an epic journey" feel.

Please keep up the fantastic work!

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Liontamer
on 2009-03-25 17:48:14
For someone who never actually talked to the project directors, you sure knew what was up! :razz:

We never listen to him anyway. He smells.

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KyleJCrb
on 2009-03-25 16:29:22
"Guys, screw the 'project hold' rule. That thing is NEVER going to get done, let's just post this awesomeness!"

For someone who never actually talked to the project directors, you sure knew what was up! :razz:

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big giant circles
on 2009-03-25 14:33:35
Glad the feedback is appreciated; would love to hear more from you... we're not the speediest site in the world when it comes to posting submissions, but I think I can safely guarantee the wait would be less than two years :nicework:

Now, in our own defense, this particular wait was NOT the fault of the OCR staff. There must have been a half a dozen times where I said "Guys, screw the 'project hold' rule. That thing is NEVER going to get done, let's just post this awesomeness!"

Man though, it's so good to see this one free to bask in the good light it deserves. For real man, please continue to submit remixes here!

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DragonAvenger
on 2009-03-24 16:25:50

The arrangement is fantastic! Really a great transition to an orchestral piece. Part writing is awesome. I'll agree with everyone on the choral part, but I'm more impressed with the background at the choral part, it fits perfectly.

Can't wait to hear more from this newb :P

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pu_freak
on 2009-03-21 08:19:17

This has always been one of my favorite tracks from the project, I've had this one in my playlist for a very long time

The entire feel of Hydropolis is so well kept, though it's gotten a major orchestral boost, it feels something that's pulled straight out of an epic movie. Great track!

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djpretzel
on 2009-03-20 21:30:15

Anyway, I'm glad you liked it, that's the best compliment I can get, getting people to listen to it and like it. And if I get to know about that, even better :) After all, what other reason is there to make music but to communicate? And talking to oneself isn't really all that much fun, since you can't be surprised by something you make up.

Glad the feedback is appreciated; would love to hear more from you... we're not the speediest site in the world when it comes to posting submissions, but I think I can safely guarantee the wait would be less than two years :nicework:

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TheDeath
on 2009-03-20 19:14:08

Wow, what can I say, after 2 and a half years waiting, I finally get to see some feedback about the piece, and I gotta say I feel flattered by the comments :)

About the question liontamer asked on the judge decision thread loooooong ago, "But seriously...and I mean in this with the utmost sincerity and curiosity...who the hell are you, and what brought you here?"

Well, what brought me here, pure luck. A fried that asked me to join a remix project cause she was joining (and never joined in the end) and, like everyone else here I guess, a deep love for both music and games.

And who am I? Just a guy that loves music and has been self teaching himself how the heck to work with MIDI and how the heck to make music through (lots of) trial and error, and of course, listening :)

Anyway, I'm glad you liked it, that's the best compliment I can get, getting people to listen to it and like it. And if I get to know about that, even better :) After all, what other reason is there to make music but to communicate? And talking to oneself isn't really all that much fun, since you can't be surprised by something you make up.

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BlackPanther
on 2009-03-20 17:31:52

I get the feeling that this shoulda been a direct post. This song is good I don't really know what to say about orchestra mixes since I really have no experience with them but this came off as a really good produced piece of work and everything sounded really good together.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Tales of Phantasia (Namco , 1994, SNES)
Music by Motoi Sakuraba,Ryota Furuya,Shinji Tamura,Toshiyuki Sekiguchi
Songs:
"Hydropolis"

Tags (1)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Orchestral
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Tales_of_Phantasia_Setting_Sail_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,481,609 bytes
MD5:
6e1b4879f88f32265db5f93ab06c83ea
Bitrate:
206Kbps
Duration:
3:29

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