Hydrocity Zone Act II Theme Gets Funky With This Big Band Cover!

Nothing beats a good bit of funk – especially when it’s a big band cover version of the theme to Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s Hydrocity Zone!

Composer Tyler Mire leads a big band ensemble complete with reeds, horns, and rhythm section in this phenomenal tribute to one of the greatest 16-bit era Sonic sounds. You’ll want to listen to this more than once to properly aborb all of the layers to this!

Tyler Mire on Youtube

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Sound Test Saturday: Chills, Spills, and Thrills

Welcome back to Sound Test Saturday! I’m glad just about everyone appreciated the Sonic Paradox Remix Shorts and the work that has been poured into it! On behalf of the team, I wish to thank you all for the warm reception and support of the album!

Now let us return to our previously scheduled programming, and give the rest of the community a bit of focus, shall we?

Today, four remixes have been picked out for you all! True to today’s theme, only some of the most thrilling and spine-chilling of tunes have been picked out!

For Act 1, we return our attention towards a drummer who premiered on Sound Test Saturday with a most righteous cover of Hydrocity Zone Act 2! This time, with a groovy drum cover for the introductory act for Planet Wisp from Sonic Colours, we welcome back the one and only funkflash!

I had no words for this drum cover at first. Planet Wisp is one of my most favourite tunes out of the entire franchise due to its beautiful melody being handled by a piano, and hearing funkflash play along with the Act 1 track has rendered me speechless. While I love the original on its own, funkflash here has basically nailed the smooth feeling of Planet Wisp and, essentially, remastered the piece through his drumming prowess. Excellent, just as last time!

It reminds me of the last time a musician’s take on Planet Wisp was featured on the site… Similar feelings have been experienced.

In any case, let us turn our attention to Act 2 with a collaboration between Joshua Taipale and alexlp2k10 (or General Offensive! on Soundcloud) that is guaranteed to blow your mind!

For Underwater Maze Escape, here’s their take on Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 3 from Sonic the Hedgehog 4!

If Lost Labyrinth didn’t leave much of an impression on you for its music, it damn well should now, because this is one of the most righteous takes on this track ever! Incorporating a bit of Ancient Maze of Mystery (LL Act 1), Josh and Alex have done an amazing job at remixing this one together, with Alex handling the electronic tunes or Josh providing some breathtaking guitar magic. I oughta play this tune over the stage and see how it goes! Definitely one worthy of your playlists!

Act 3 now, and it’s one that definitely fits this week’s theme! Essentially breathing new life into Hydrocity Act 2 from Sonic 3 & KnucklesHeroBoy1092 turns this midi into a piece worthy of Sonic Generations!

With an entirely different approach on the track, here’s a Modern remix of Hydrocity Zone, for your listening pleasure!

I’ve never heard Hydrocity being played like this. Remixes I’ve heard, though great, were still somewhat close to their source material, but this right here is definitely one of the greatest interpretations of the piece ever. I can see Sonic going all over the water with this song: sliding down the slides, running, even surfing despite the are being confined! Kudos to HeroBoy for remastering an ish midi into something grand!

Speaking of Sonic Generations, we oughta wrap up this week’s playlist with a music video! So how about a cover of… Owl City’s Fireflies?

Released on the eve of the 20th Anniversary title’s release, Golden Rings is both a parody and a homage to Sonic the Hedgehog and his legacy. Some will get a good laugh while others feel like this track truly hits home.

Shadowlink4321 once again takes the stage while Tigura21 of Smash King fame handles the music video! Roll film, and have a good week everyone!

(Those who prefer it without autotune may find it absent here, with Shadowlink4321′s vocals intact!)

Be sure to return next week for the next instalment of The Sound Check! We’ll be with Dr. Mack Foxx as he speaks of his and EspioKaos’s Sonic Piano Reduxes!

Found an interesting cover, remix, or original tune somewhere? Have something of your own? Be sure to send your findings and wares over to me at vizardjeffhog@sonicstadium.org!

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Slam-Up Jamday 3 & Knuckles

Because there’s no such thing as Adventure 3.

Good afternoon, do-gooders! Today is Monday, and you all know what that means! It’s time for some more mash-ups! And not just any kind of mash-ups, no! Hope you’ve had some on your toast this morning, because if you haven’t, get ready to be blasted with a hefty dose of slam jam! Continue reading Slam-Up Jamday 3 & Knuckles

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Mash-Up Monday: Rolling in the Depths of Hydrocity

You’ve been tuning in to either the radio, or maybe a few albums lying around the house. A person seated next to you might have her music on full volume from their iPods. There’s no denying that Adele is definitely one of the most popular artists in recent history, and it shows: it is almost foolhardy to escape or even drown out her music these days. Continue reading Mash-Up Monday: Rolling in the Depths of Hydrocity

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Sound Test Saturday: A Funky Premiere of Green Symphonies!

Hello, readers! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week through April’s first seven days. If not, then hopefully this is the sort of that is sure to boost your spirits! Ladies and gentlehogs, you are now reading the premiere article of an all new weekly column: Sound Test Saturday! Just like Mash-Up Mondays feature music mash-ups between Sonic and any other party, Sound Test Saturdays will highlight music – original compositions, covers, or remixes – made by the Sonic community. That’s right! Sound Test Saturdays will concentrate on music created by you! Continue reading Sound Test Saturday: A Funky Premiere of Green Symphonies!

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