I first discovered the indy Californian band Estradasphere (yes, that would be a sphere made up of Eric Estradas) after downloading one of their submissions to the website ocremix.org. Overclocked Remix is a community of amateur game music arrangers (essentially doujin, mentioned earlier in this blog) and Estradasphere's contribution was a jazz arrangement of the theme to Super Mario Bros. 2. Some years later, I bought the album on which that track can be found, and discovered a crazy mix of styles ranging from jazz to death metal to string ensemble to disco and beyond. Estradasphere specializes in instrumental tracks, just as I like, although they do use vocals on occasion - generally nonsensical or humorous phrases that serve to add to the given songs eccentricity. The album, Buck Hunter, has a videogame-y feel to it at other points as well. Several of the tracks are chiptunes - original compositions made with soundboards meant to resemble those of old school video game systems.
Today's song is that very first track I heard from Estradasphere - a cover of the overworld theme to Super Mario Bros. 2. Compared to the other tracks on the album, this one is one of the most conventional, as well as one of the shortest. It's a straightforward jazz arrangement, featuring a nice extended bass viol solo from 1:03 to 1:40. I'll probably be posting more Estradasphere in the future as well as buying some more of their albums. I certainly recommend them. Until then, enjoy!
Album info: http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Fever-Estradasphere/dp/B00005NKIS/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_4
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