Secret of Mana Remixes
Summaries brought to you by Kassidy
Aphrodite Oceanus - The Wingless
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: A Prayer and a Whisper
The song starts out with a soothing and simple piano part and is built on slowly with some soft string ensembles, counter point electric piano and light electronica drums. This remains one of my favourite and most memorable pieces, since I first heard it on OCR Radio back in 2002. It really does build on the solid base established by the original sound track and take it to a whole new level. Not to be missed.
Beyond Comprehension - McNoods
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Leave Time for Love
Using some rather basic instrumentation, some overdriven percussion, and an almost erratic beat, this nice piece of electronica puts a whole new spin on the original track. While traces of it show through from time to time, the song moves away from the main melody quite often and stretches out through the expanse of the chord progression. The track feels somewhat empty at times, and the main pickup happens near the end after 3:30.
Cry from the Forest - Kassie! and Mustin
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: A Wish..., Spirit of the Night
Memories of the Ice Country come flooding back as this piece starts with a lone emotional piano, and then fills out with a second piano and builds up to a full string quartet to take us to the moment of revelation at the foot of the Mana Tree, before once more soothing us with a touch of winter as the instruments slowly leave the stage.
Dark Star Scherzo - Jormungand
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Star of Darkness
A dynamic, classical rendition of Star of Darkness with bucket loads of emotion piled on top that explores all different aspects of the piece it covers, from the playfulness of riding upon a dragon to the firm realization that destiny awaits. Technically exquisite, unless you were told otherwise you would swear it was a live performance. This track cannot wait to permanently make its way into your playlist.
Desert Snowstorm - Ziwtra
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Eight Ringing Bells, Secret of the Arid Sands
Ziwtra swiftly changes the pace from a momentary calm melody to a full blown breaking groove that takes full advantage of your stereo's panning capabilities, making you feel like the beat is bouncing off walls of ice all around you. Before you realize it, you've been transported to the arid sands of Kakkara, and yet they don't feel like separate songs at all, in spite the change of instrumentation and pace, they flow into eachother masterfully, ending with ethnic beats and panpipes that evoke the scents of the touareg campfires on the dunes.
Dirge for the Frosty Plains - mp
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: A Wish
This remix stays true to the feeling of the original piece, but aiming for a softer instrumental arrangement, and adding some very light brushed percussion. Then when least expected we're reminded of the dangers of the wild by the haunting presence of beasts howling in the distance, and the late introduction of an eerie synth pad that leads us to a sudden silence filled with anticipation.
Distorted Star - Gray Lightning and SnappleMan
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Star of Darkness
This piece depicts the combination of industrial technology and power that is the Mana Fortress by fusing clear and pounding computer generated rhythms and effects with dueling overdrive electric guitars backed by some epic string sections, that build on top of each other until a final climax at the end of the song that rapidly fades away. Rocking.
Dragon Song - Harmony
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Prophecy, Secret of the Arid Sands
Lyrics are always a difficult thing when it comes to videogame music, but this song does a moderately good job in handling them, in particular thanks to the remixers excellent voice, which fits perfectly the instrumental ambiance of the song that invites the listener to gaze out on the open horizons and immerse in "the atmosphere this remix oozes out its sides". Combining acoustic guitar and percussions with some light electronic instruments flawlessly, this "one of those tunes you'll hear repeating in your head for days". (Thanks to manaman for his quoted input on this song.)
Drifting Towards the Stars - Graylightning
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Star of Darkness
As the title implies, this song does take us drifting slowly and consistently to the stars. Moving from the feel of a lullaby through to a celestial plaground among the stars, you almost feel the song will go on forever as gentle wave after wave of subtle variations flow past you, without tidal peaks or dips in sight. There is a draining quality about it sustaining the expectation for so long, but at the same time it is consistently rewarding.
Dueling Consoles - Shnabubula
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Danger
There can never be enough remixes of Danger. Taking the concept of Dueling Banjos to a new level, we hear an 8-bit rendition of this song by both an NES and a Genesis, each trying to out-do the other, and then coming together to stretch the capabilities of chiptunes further and further as we advance in what can only be called a retrogaming masterpiece, that truly does Kikuta's multifaceted composition the justice it deserves.
Dyluck Come Home - JAXX
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Fond Memories
A rather short rendition to that moment we reflect on Dyluck still being alive that at first doesn't stray far from the original piece, but then breaks into a triumphal variation on the theme that is sadly not long lived, brought to a sudden halt just as the piece appears to be growing to its full. It's a shame this piece isn't longer.
Fear of the Flava - McVaffe
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear, Into the Thick of it
The start of this piece, with a traditional covering of Angel's Fear, feels slightly awkward, but soon evolves into a solid dance evolution of the Pandora overworld theme that while keeping to the layout and underlying instrumentation of the original has added several layers of complementary instrumentation and beat, that leads back to the title theme with the beat trailing from the centre piece.
Grim Determination - RushJet1
RushJet1's website. Tracks remixed: The Prayer of the Arctic Circle
Imagine if Secret of Mana had arrived a couple of years earlier on the NES, and you had to fight against an 8-bit Mana Beast looming over you. Well, this is what you'd have getting your heart pumping that adrenaline. Far from making a straight port of the theme though, RushJet1 has worked around the tune and mixed together different textures and variations, showing just how versatile one can be with Chiptunes.
Ice Crystal Fields Forever - Zeratul
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: A Wish...
A highly ambiental track that works in all the elements of winter, from the crunch of snow underfoot, to the reverberating chimes, pads and water effects of an underwater palace. Progressively developing toward a brighter instrumentally focused piece that ascends to a semi-abrupted, yet announced and conclusive end.
Long Journey - DanNthR (2001)
Dan's Website. Tracks remixed: What the Forest Taught Me, Angel's Fear, Star of Darkness, Prayer of the Arctic Circle, The Orphan of the Storm,
Back in 2001, Dan brought this remix to VGMix, and it always remained one of my favourites for its classy progression through several of the key themes in Secret of Mana, while varying the theme accordingly; the playfulness of Upperland, the mystic title screen that captivated us all, the sorrowful darkness of the Tree Palace, the urgency of battling the Mana Beast, and the heroic fanfare of victory. All the elements are there. Expect more from Dan in the future!
Night Time Evolution - Harmony
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Spirit of the Night
An underlying acoustic guitars makes way for a funky beat and modern oriental feeling lead, but without loosing presence fully. The surprise is the late inclusion of a bass track which until then had been supplemented by several complementary arpeggios. The focus returns to the guitar and a simple string and bell accompaniment that brings Mike Oldfield to mind.
On the Day the World Changed - Christian Pacaud, ktriton and MAG
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear, Danger, Into the Thick of it, Meridian Dance, The Holy Intruder
From beginning to end this piece explores just how many ways you can throw Kikuta's through a hard rocking guitar, adopting styles that go from a simple solo melody, through a heavy riff and straight out into a shred-tastic improvisation of Danger, only to top off the near impeccable mixture with an emotive and sexy weeping of Angel's Fear. All this accompanied by top-notch percussion, pianos and classy use of synths. You will fall in love with this track.
Pure Lands (Total Darkness) - Children of the Monkey Machine
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Pure Night
Evoking every ounce of fear and respect that the Pure Land deserves, this remix slows down the tempo of this piece even further than the original, and paints with a dark palette a picture of gloom. It only gets darker as it progresses, bringing in a semi-industrial drum section that at one point is left to its own devices and manages to in itself make this already haunting track even more so. Don't turn the lights out.
Return to Elysian Lands - Nigel Simmons
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear
If Secret of Mana were made into a film, and Kikuta had the London Symphony Orchestra at his disposal, this is what you would hear in the final score. Majestically plucking at the strings of the very heard of Mana, it soars and swoops gracefully in and out of an emotional roller-coaster that will find you reliving each moment of the game as you listen.
Secret of the Spram - JAXX, Kassie! and Mustin
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Eight Ringing Bells
When he stole the Fire Seed, Santa did not expect to be burst in on by Shaft. You can just feel the funk of Daddy Cool drip from this remix like an ice-cream melting on a summer afternoon. If ever there was a remix that explores just how far you can deviate from the original track, this is it. What you waitin' for, foo?
Smooth Mana - Gux
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear
Sit back and sip the mocha as you relax to the jazzy lounge atmosphere this little ditty evokes. While nothing can really sub a real sax, the composition as a whole does a nice job of putting the angel's fear to rest with some truly smooth vibes. Nice...
Stomp the Summer Sky - Ziwtra
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Color of the Summer Sky
You're surrounded by villagers of limited vocabulary, you need something that'll keep your spirits up. This song does the job nicely, taking the palette of the summer sky and adding some new layers of upbeat happiness to the already bouncey framework Kikuta lay before us back in the day. Stays solid throughout with several different and individually personalised variations on the theme that hold together as a whole nicely through a unified bridge.
Thicket - Darkesword
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear, Into the Thick of it
Starting with a warm mellow rendition of Angel's, it moves seamlessly into the ever-famous overworld theme, and gently introduces more and more elements of beat and freestyle, while maintaining a wonderful ethereal feel overall, and playing on the underlying melody to add a personal characteristic touch that Darkesword has such dexterity in pulling off. Toward the end, we move back into a freestyle Angel's Fear that leads to a perfectly melodic end.
Tidal Sequence - djpretzel
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Angel's Fear
If Radiohead tried to play Angel's Fear, chances are it would sound like this. Exploring the use of several stringed instruments, which then support an almost leading string ensemble that then gives way to intervals of nicely adorned piano melody, and a more filled out orchestral reprise toward the last half of the piece.
Time in the Clouds DX - Kailem
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: What the Forest Taught Me
The theme from Upperland is often a "coming of age" song for remixers, and this rendition does a nice solid job of working the piece. With a nice lead in, some key peaks, and a slow retreat, as well as some changes in pace throughout while keeping to an almost electronic nod to an orchestral arrangement mixed with some ethnic percussion, you should give this one a chance to grow on you.
Wandering the Wild Forest - Thumper
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Into the Thick of it
Another one of the first remixes I heard to emerge from this game, it sticks mainly to a long repetition of the main arpeggio on piano, while overlaying a simple beat and bass line, with additional leads from a clean electric guitar and a synthesised panpipe/flute (this instrument not quite to my liking), finally topping it off with a short improvised solo. I feel this could have explored further, but still stands the test.
Whispering Prayers - Visions of the Future
OC Remix Page. Tracks remixed: Phantom and a Rose
Sounding very much inspired by Kikuta's Secret of Mana+, the piece starts with natural sounds and a somewhat overpowering yet simple beat. Gradually instruments are introduced to take over the main melody that doesn't differ much from the original. The piece is short lived, sadly. The contrast between soothing natural sounds and the strong instrumentation may not be to everyone's taste.
