ReMix:Mega Man 2 "It's Been a Wily" 3:07

It HAS been a Wily: Seven years since our last mix from Diggi Dis (Frank van 't Ende) and - bizarrely - six years since our last mix of the once-ubiquitous "Wily Stage 1" from MM2. Time to right some wrongs, sate some thirsts, and end both draughts with a surprisingly straightforward rock/metal jam:

"I've had some extra time so put together a little remix. Sorry about the shit intonation of the guitar; it was the only one with humbuckers I had around. Hope you enjoy."

To be completely frank (hah), I probably wouldn't know shit humbucker intonation if it kicked me in the butt, plus I like garage bands where that's kinda the point, so it didn't bother me much. I say "surprisingly straightforward" because usually Mr. van 't Ende works in some funk, some syncopation, and some unexpected jiggly bits, but this is a (badass & well-executed) meat & potatoes rock/metal take that basically plays it for a straight genre adapation. And, like the Jeffersons theme song says, there ain't nothing wrong with that... Rexy evaluated:

"Okay, so not only has it been seven years since the last mixpost from Frank, but it's also in a musical direction that I usually don't see him pull off! Metal arranging feels like lesser tread waters for sure, and yet, his jazz chord influences remain thanks to the heavy use of dominant 7ths in the chord progression. Even the drums are engaging throughout, framing the pacing and finding as many places possible to add as many exciting placements possible for toms, snare rolls, and double kick pedals. No need to worry about intonation on the guitar itself - I'm no scientist when it comes to handling one, but I couldn't even tell if it had any pitching problems, and even then, the performance throughout is firm and to the beat.

The source's interpretation is also on point and goes through one loop with an A section reprise. It stays close to the original structure chord progression for the first half, along with finding ways to change up the A section's melody line very early on. Then at 1:42, the structure broke up and returned to the source's C section with a completely fresh amount of chords before heading into the familiar D section straight, a solo spot, and the reprise mentioned above ending. Even in a more unusual setup, Frank knew to deliver his usual production and arrangement standards into the fray - and it all adds up to one unique interpretation not only in his roster of mixes but also for this crazy popular source! Rock on!"

Bev actually found more of Frank's trademark style present in this than I did, but we both dug it; it's certainly not the same rock/metal take on the theme that just anyone would submit, and I think it trades production polish & a certain sophistication for more raw energy/momentum pretty successfully. Plus, pun. I *always* love to hear more Diggi Dis, and if Frank wants to bust out the metal again, you know I'm there. In the meantime, it's fantastic to see him back, and with a block-rockin', head-bangin' metal take on a VGM classic we haven't seen recently, either - enjoy!