ReMix:Donkey Kong Country 3 "Sea Breeze Concerto" 4:40

Another mix with David Wise!? Yeah, although this time Monkey Kong are responsible for the overall arrangement - a badass rock/jazz instrumental jam - and Wise chipped in with killer sax performance & mixing/mastering. Emunator writes:

"Monkey Kong is an incredibly talented group of musicians, and their past remixes have been very good in their own right. However, I do feel like an extra degree of responsibility arises when you know that the original composer is not only going to hear what you've done with his original composition, but actually participate directly in the remix himself.

Fortunately, Daniel and co. rose to the occasion and delivered a stellar ReMix that is worthy of its placement on the album and the cameo appearance from Mr. Wise. Fans of the original "Stilt Village" (GBA) will find this to be a very true-to-source tribute, but the additional harmonies and solos fit like a glove and elevate it to true OC ReMix status. There's also a special treat at the very end of the song that brought me back to the very first time I booted up the original Donkey Kong Country. It's a brilliant creative choice by Monkey Kong that will really resonate with fans of the series as a whole."

Daniel Rosenqvist of MK writes:

"In spring last year, I got a mail from Emu asking us to be a part of the DKC3 album. Although the time wasn't optimal for us with school graduation, concerts and, of course, rehearsing for our pre-show gig at the Stockholm Concert Hall for Distant Worlds II, there really was no way for me (being such an OC ReMix fan) to turn down on this! I knew the process was gonna be long - getting up the energy in the band, finding time to practice, jam it (A LOT of jamming, actually), arranging, recording, mixing, mastering, and so on. But to now come out in the other end and see the result is gratifying.

This could not be done without David Wise. I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the love he's put in to both his playing and also in mixing and mastering. I've learned so much from this Dave, thank you!! This song is for you, the OC ReMix staff and, of course, every video game music lover that understands why it's the ultimate art form!"

This is definitely one of the most conservative arrangements on the album, with a large swath of the structure hugging the original source tune a little too close to JUST be friends, but there's also a good deal of personalization on what IS there, and the last two minutes branch out big time. Larry had the panel take a look, just to be sure, and also chimed in himself:

"2:40's original section provided some a great dynamic change, and the rebuild at 3:10 to transition into the next solo was nice. David Wise's sax solo 3:29-3:51 on top of the source's bassline, followed by the amazing synth soloing on top of the arranged source from 3:55 until the end were both huge and helped end this strongly and present nothing but original material and interpretation for the last few minutes. Whoever in the band thought of including the DKC1 fanfare at the finish is my boy; clever integration of that for a nostalgic and fun finish. Nice work, and a pleasure to have David supporting the OCR's community's efforts once again. :-)"

There's a lot of musicianship & group dynamics going on here, and it has an immediate, performed feel that's relatively unique on the album, with a bit of an edge, too. And how could a band named "Monkey Kong" NOT deliver an amazing ReMix for a DKC album, right? Great stuff from Daniel & co., and to have Wise add in some amazing playing and mixing... well, it's yet ANOTHER diamond on a jewel-studded crown. Double the Trouble! continues to impress with heart, soul, and craft!