ReMix:Final Fantasy IX "Prelude to Fantasy" 3:48

We've got a double dose of Archangel (Jaka Čibej) for you today, starting with this new age/cinematic reflection on the famous "Prelude" theme:

"This was my first real ReMix, and it led to me joining the ranks of OC ReMixers. I don't know where it will end up on the album, but I envisioned it as the very last track - a hymn fitting the end of a wonderful story, when order and balance have been restored and all is well with the world again. "Prelude to Fantasy" is actually one of two mirror tracks (with a shared concept) I contributed to this project. The other is "Crystalline Tempest."

I got the idea for this remix while on a bus driving home. It's basically my first real remix (I usually just altered the instrumentation of MIDI files and made a better-sounding version of the song). "The Prelude" from Final Fantasy has always been one of my favourite songs, so I simply had to make my own rendition of it.

The structure is still the same. I didn't want to tamper with it, because I think the Final Fantasy "Prelude" is perfect the way it is. I just couldn't force myself to change the chord progression. Nothing sounds as pure as the original. However, I've added more percussion and more instruments and tried to make the song sound fresh and crisp. I also tried to keep the judges' feedback on the first version in mind -- i.e. make sure the song ramps up more, adjust the choir volume, etc.

I made the remix in FL Studio using various sound libraries (EWQL Symphonic Orchestra, EWQL Symphonic Choirs, EWQL RA, EWQL Stormdrum) and some soundfonts and VST plugins. I think the result is a pretty cool soundtrack-ish version of the "Prelude." I hope people will enjoy listening to it at least half as much as I did remixing it.

All in all, I'm pretty proud of this track, and it's still my favorite among my arrangements. Thank you very much for running such a wonderful site!"

Jaka wrote that in 2011, and while he's had SEVEN amazing mixes posted in the meantime, it's nice to finally get back to this "origin" mix, which reflects on the simple & pure rise-fall arpeggio of the source with beautiful piano, a deep reverb, folk/world accompaniment (is that a duduk I hear?), and a definite build & climax towards the conclusion. Apsects of the aesthetic and instrumentation reminded me of DarkeSword's "A Silver Light Shines" in a very good way. FF9 album director Fishy writes:

"Archangel made a lot of contributions to the album and was just generally super-enthusiastic about the game. I know that the "Prelude" is a very overdone theme, but hearing the "Prelude" after a huge Final Fantasy experience can be really overwhelming sometimes, and that's still the case for me with this track."

This was resubmitted and unanimously passed after revisions based on panel feedback; OceansAndrew writes:

"I really enjoyed the first submission, and this one is even better. The whole soundscape is excellent, and it really captures the majesty of the source, and expands upon it in a huge way. If this was an official version that opened up FF15 or something, I would be incredibly hyped to play the game. I love it."

I'm a HUGE fan of Jaka's more playful, cartoon-inspired approach taken on his DKC3 ReMix, among others - it's a bit more unique & seldom-seen - but he can also get serious and dial up the feels, which this arrangement should capture for any enduring Fantasy fan. Great stuff that still holds up today & shines a light on Archangel's first mix!