ReMix:Xenogears "Dancing in the Sky" 4:55

/exhale

I don't intend to co-opt or distort the meaning behind OCR newcomer Fiddledo's lyrics for Jorito's pop Xenogears arrangement together with subversiveasset and ImAFutureGuitarHero. That said, this wonderful track and its hopeful message hit different in light of the latest horrific-yet-commonplace assault rifle mass murders in Buffalo, New York two weeks ago and Uvalde, Texas yesterday, America's 212th mass shooting.

My wife had to check in with our 6-year-old this morning on what to do if a shooter shows up at school or camp. "Play dead," my wife tells her, while also encouraging her to help friends if she wants to. (When it comes down to it, helping others at risk to yourself is still the humane thing to do, if you can. It's OK to be scared though.) "I'm not afraid of anything!" she says with a beaming smile and all the conviction in the world. Bless her innocence. I know it can't last. :'-(

Arrangement, production, backing vocals: Jorito
Vocals, lyrics: Fiddledo
Saxophone: subversiveasset
Guitar: Jarrod G

We actually approved this track two years ago, and the power of ImAFutureGuitarHero's guitar and finesse of subversiveasset's sax were big highlights, but djpretzel and I both had strong hangups on the mixing and exposure of the vocal performance; in order to head off a potential but rare instance of djp vetoing the panel, we passed on the judges' feedback and asked if a revision could be considered. A few days ago, Jorrith checked in on this, and I asked about a potential revision thinking one was never made; Jorito informed me that he sent djp a revision WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY back... which Dave seemingly never passed onto us. Boo, djp, boo. (I've overlooked things in much worse fashion, so no hate.) Jorito had no hard feelings about it, which speaks to his class, but we're still sorry to Jorrith, Kaisyn, Andrew, and Jarrod for us dropping the ball, and we're glad to now pick it back up.

With the revised version, the mixing of the various parts was much stronger, with more audible supporting synth writing that helped spice up the instrumental. The vocals were pulled back instead of being so much louder than the music, as well as given some effects & tuning touch-ups alongside occasional chorusing & vocoder layering which added smoothness, depth, and variety to Fiddledo's performance in concert with these touching lyrics. Everything glues together so much better as a result, sounds like Jorito's cohesive presentation we've come to expect, and will better stand the test of time.

Maybe it's serendipity that this piece is arriving on the site today. Whether you need something to heal your heart, decompress, or take on the day, Jorito delivers what you need to hear in a language we can all understand. :-)

"We're going to spread our wings and fly
As we keep dancing in the sky
I feel so alive
Forgetting the danger that lies up ahead
So please just let me fly"