Remix Recommendations

[labello]

Hey guys!
I am not really into Ayu's remixes and have mostly ignored them just because the dance/trance sound isn't really my thing, but I recently found the vogue "Kirari Natsu Ayu Mix" and I really liked it. In a way it's similar to Ladies night -another night- ,at least in my opinion, since it seems more like a different arrangement.
Since there are a lot of people here who like Ayu's remixes a lot and listen to them regularly I was wondering if there are more that sound like a different arrangement rather than a "dance version"
I'd really appreciate any recommendation!

[primavera♥]

Whatever (FPM's Winter Bossa) - Ayu-mi-x II
Key (nicely nice waterfowl remix) - Unite! single

Are the most relevant examples I can think of that are good I'm my opinion
-------
I think these songs are still a bit dancey but I find them to be pretty unique like the above mentioned remixes and not the average dance arrangement. They bring life to these songs and give them a new sound. They're also a few of my favorites.

glitter x SOUL CENTRAL - ayu-mi-x VI
End Roll (Kindmonkey East London Remix) - ayu-mi-x II
Endless Sorrow (nicely nice skyblue remix) - Endless Sorrow single
SURREAL (nicely nice electron '00 remix) - evolution single
Virgin Road (FPM EVERLUST remix) - ayu-mi-x VII
Far Away (Laugh and Peace remix) - M single
Boys & Girls (Inskadisco mix) - ayu-mi-x II

A few of these may be stretching it but hopefully you can find some remixes you like. There are remixes that ayu have that are better than the originals IMO lol. Some of theme even make commend them amazing musical ideas in them (talking about ones not listed here too)

I literally have only been listening to ayu's remixes lately.

[Zeke.]

Two of us (Xelakad remix)
From your letter (sleeper/space born remix)

Those are extremely well done fan mixes. You must hear!!

It was (island mix) is a good official one.
Fated (orchestrA version) has that fantastic cello which sets the tone for the song in such a fantastic way.

[Delirium-Zer0]

Your taste in remixes is EXTREMELY similar to mine. I definitely have dance & trance versions that I enjoy, but my favorite remixes are, and always have been, more like rearrangements. Many of the rearrangements I enjoy are heavily techno-influenced but they tend to lean more industrial/trip-hop rather than house, dance, or trance.

I don't know what your musical taste is in general, but here's a pretty exhaustive list....

A Song for XX "MILLENNIUM MIX" (a very slight adjustment of the levels & mix compared to the original song. It's not a big difference at all but it feels much fuller and more "complete")
A Song for XX "she shell REPRODUCTION" (auto-tuned with a raw, scratchy rhythm and electric guitar lead, VERY good buildup into the chorus)
And then "VOICE SPECTRAL MIX" (a rather mysterious, moody, techno version of the track that functions as a more dynamic alternative to the original)
appears "HAL's MIX" (foggy, trip-hop sort of version of the song, very intense slow beat, very dark)
AUDIENCE "Dave Ford Mix" (pretty much the same deal as A Song for XX - tiny changes to the original mix that just make it sound more finished)
Boys & Girls "HAL'S Mix" (rock version of B&G, kinda creepy and cool - does something similar to Ladies Night ~another night~)
CAROLS "Hammond B-3 Whisper" (greatly unappreciated CAROLS reversioning with hammond organ accompaniment in place of the original arrangement... gives the song a very mournful, churchlike feeling as you might expect and I think it's a very interesting take on the song)
Connected "Ambient Mix" (A chillout version consisting chiefly of a piano loop with a few trance flourishes, and when the beat does kick in it's another slow, sweeping sort of rhythm, I think it's gorgeous)
Daybreak "HAL's Mix 2002" (This is the version in the PV so you've probably heard it, but it's a slow R&B version if you haven't, and it's much more sweet and floaty sounding)
Days "8-bits of tears YMCK remix" (If you don't like chiptune you won't like this, but I love it, hahaha... I find YMCK's stuff charming and adorable and nostalgic and I think it fits the cuteness of this song very well.)
Dearest "Depth Nostalgic windmix" (I wouldn't consider this a club/house/dance remix although it DOES have a very danceable rhythm... the beat isn't the focus of this remix so much as the sweet, pop atmosphere. Worth a listen, I think it's incredibly nice.)
Dearest "The Implication DUB Mix" (I'm not sure this would fit your criteria exactly... this is a mix that drops out half the vocals, but it really is more like a rearrangement/reversioning of the original that, in my opinion, REALLY brings out some of the sadness & dissatisfaction present in the lyrics, whereas the original mix seems to emphasize the relief FROM that sadness & dissatisfaction that her love brings. Another slow, sweeping rhythm here - yeah, I have fairly specific taste in remixes, I know, lol - but this remix gives me tingles. At some point I should stick the full vocal track on top of it though...)
Endless sorrow "nicely nice skyblue remix" (Incredibly sunny pop version of the song that's so ironically happy sounding that it's actually hilariously ironic in face of the song's rather depressing lyrics. Danceable, but not a simple club/house/trance remix, really just feels more like dance/pop that happens to be clubby)
ever free "HAL'S MIX 2000" (Again, you may have heard it since this is the version that plays during the "ever free" video in concert tour 2000 Act 2. The same genre as the original song, but much more wide-open sounding and dimensional thanks to the trademark HAL reverb and "whoosh" sounds used.)
Far away "Huge mutual-tried mix" (chiptune intro & background loop along with an r&b type beat with a slight swing to it, a bit more of a pop "chirp" to it, mood-wise it's an interesting take on the song.)
Fly high "HAL's MIX 2000" (again, it's the version in the PV, so you've probably heard it, but it's a more dynamic version of the song and it always felt more finished to me, and it's easier for me to take the feelings seriously when I hear this version... the album version just seems kind of immature to me compared to this one I guess)
Fly high "Saturation Remix" (fun, noisy, rock version of the song that lives up to its name - the compression deliberately placed on some of the instrumentation makes it noisy and rough, and very like... garage rock with a keyboardist, basically, lol)
girlish "Scanty Sandwich Radio" (another one that rides the line between dance remix and rearrangement, but I think the drum loops used are very organic and the synth is sort of mimicking the feel of a lead guitar, and the radio edit does sorta cover the full song's vocals/lyrics but nothing more so eh, I'll allow it. You could use this as a substitute for the original, I think.)
HANABI ~episode II~ "HAL's Mix 2003" (basically.... it sounds like you're in a big open area in the middle of a jungle where there are a bunch of crystals that have formed around you. Exotic drums, sound effects resembling water and wind, and HAL's reverb piano and whoooshes. LOVE this remix, it's just beautiful.)
Heartplace "dj Remo-con Remix" (Kind of like an 80s dance/pop version. Sadly it's only available as part of the ayu-mi-x 5 megamix, but it's just this little piece of synthy joy for me)
HEAVEN "DAISHI DANCE Remix with Chieko Kinbara - Radio Edit" aka "HEAVEN x DAISHI DANCE" (another one that rides the line, but again I'll allow it because 1) She's now had Daishi Dance actually produce an original song for her, and 2) there are moments where it's just Ayu and piano with no beat happening at that moment, and also there is real violin rather than it being all synth/electronic.)
I am... "Huge Fairy tAle mix" (R&B beat, sort of a sparkly, well, fairy tale sound, but turned on its head.)
immature (Album Version)/immature "JT Original CM Version" (whichever one you haven't heard, go hear it lol... the album version is much more bubblegummy and slick, and sounds more optimistic... the JT original is rougher and has a bit more of a rockish edge)


.... I have to stop here cuz I gotta help my sister with some tech support lol.... but I'll finish the rest of the alphabet later! XD

[Tom Punks]

Any of the ASFXX remixes tbh. They all sound like different arrangements and I love them all sfm.

Lots of people seem to like the Beautiful Fighters remix from ayu-mi-x 6. It feels like a new song.

Seconding from your letter (sleeper/spaceborn remix). It's a fan remix but it's amaaaaaazing.

[Zeke.]

I feel the 2003 rebirth mixed seasons from a ballads is so much better than the original mix as well. I used to question what the difference was but now for me it's so obvious!

[RealLight]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

I feel the 2003 rebirth mixed seasons from a ballads is so much better than the original mix as well.

Same here

[Delirium-Zer0]

YES Those are another one where the differences are very slight, but they just sound more "finished." I think the SEASONS 2003 ReBirth Mix is a HUGE improvement over the original, and I think TO BE just has all the best aspects of the album & single version, and I DEFINITELY think that version is the best version of the intro.

ANYWAY! Time to continue the alphabet

immature "CLUB BAHIA MIX" - dancey remix with acoustic guitar, bongo drums, and synthesized steel drums I think? The song doesn't go to the chorus until 3 minutes in, it does all the verses first. Overall I really like this remix, it's fun

independent "SUGIURUMN MIX" - This remix has its charm, but I find it a bit messy and the vocal loops of "hey!" and ayu giggling actually kind of get creepy XD But it's mostly electric guitar, keyboard, simple drum kit loops... Just sort of a new take on the original song.

INSPIRE (AKBK "valle blanco" remix) or INSPIRE (Energy Inspire Remix): I feel like INSPIRE in general lends itself very very well to a Eurobeat sound, and these are the two Eurobeat remixes of the song... I think they're both fabulous and they both have their merits, and they both work as just alternative rearrangements of the song since they're not that over-the-top, speedy, screechy sort of Eurobeat sound that was more popular in the early 2000s.

It was (Island Mix): I gotta be honest here, I don't like this remix lol. I adore the original song, but I think the chord progression used in this remix only suits the chorus, not the verses (which sound for the first few seconds as though they were just thrown on there and no one actually listened to this before it got released), and as much as I find this take on the song creative and more sweetly sad rather than tense & frustrated like the original, I don't think it's well produced or professional in any way. BUT it is a rearrangement, so it goes on the list lol.

kanariya "engrave mix" - In the same R&B vein as the original, and one of the remixes on ayu-mi-x II version Non-Stop Mega Mix that was created with the vocal track on the "kanariya" single, so it's short and straightforward. The new lead synth is a similar instrument but a different melody loop, and a quick shuffling drum beat has been added. Overall it's a simple new take on the song that's just solidly put together.

kanariya "HAL's Mix" - Fast and rough industrial/techno/rock sort of version of the song.

Key "nicely nice waterfowl remix" - I feel like everything "It was (Island Mix)" did wrong, this track did right. Sweetly sad, lovely, kind of beachy sounding, another track with a sort of "disillusioned princess" feeling.

Ladies Night ~another night~ which you're already aware of.

M "HAL's Progress" - The A BALLADS version of M upon which the song's usual live version is built, but the live version kinda turns into the original as it goes... this version on the CD is more in tune with its ballad side. It's dramatic but in a different way. I find the organ & chorus instrumental break REALLY intense.

M "nicely nice winter parade mix" - Well.... it sounds like what the name would make you think it sounds like. It's got a fast march rhythm and is full of jingle bell sounds and stuff, it's kind of hilarious in the context of these lyrics, haha

Naturally "dolly remix" - Like vogue "Kirari Natsu Ayu Mix," it's a very princessy sounding remix by CMJK for use in a Visee commercial. If you like one you're very likely to enjoy the other

NEVER EVER "Laugh & Peace Mix" - Has kind of an 80s new wave feeling on top of some dark synth woodwinds and a very crunchy 3/4 beat. It's a REALLY unique remix.

NEVER EVER "PROJECT O.T MIX" - actually.... similar to the above, but subtract the synth woodwinds and insert a kind of, um.... hmm... This remix sounds like the song is being flopped around by gears that are turning its pieces around. You'd have to hear it to understand what I mean, it's very hard to describe. And the verses have some sparkly sounding synth among the accompaniment... it's another VERY strange remix but holy crap is it creative.

NEVER EVER "tears of aquarius mix" - Probably my favorite remix on the NEVER EVER single, this is another dark soundscape... it sounds like being underwater at night. This is another one with a trip-hop sort of sound, the slow r&b beat and relative quiet make the sadness of this song more apparent than most versions. I think it's gorgeous.

POWDER SNOW "DEE MIX" - A more mournful, wintry sounding and less dynamic version of the song, with a simple drum beat throughout most of it and simpler accompaniment, but it sounds lonely and hopeless in a way that the original didn't... The album version showed more intensity of emotion, this version shows more depression, and the way it ends actually makes me cry.

Prologue "Hybrid Remix" - I just really like Hybrid's work so much. I wish they'd done more Ayu remixes, they were DAISHI DANCE before DAISHI DANCE came and oversimplified their dance-meets-strings formula. (I love me some DAISHI DANCE, don't get me wrong, but Hybrid did it first and Hybrid did it better.)

SEASONS "Dub's Rain of duv Remix" - Dub Master X has two main varieties of remix, the dance/club/trance stuff, and the dub/reggae stuff. (See? he's a dub MASTER cuz he can do both types of dub! hahahahahaaaaa)... this is a reggae one. I love how moody this one is.

Together When... (CO-FUSION Remix) - Another one that rides the line but in my opinion this remix is epic and full of feels. It's not a dance remix, but it's definitely not quite a rearrangement... it's more of that grinding, atmospheric sort of sound and it reminds me and many other people I know of Mega Man X series music...

too late "LaB LIFe Remix" - alt-pop with chiptune and vocoder. This version uses vocal loops rather than just using the vocal track in a straightforward way, so it kinda rides the line too, but you can listen to it as a standalone version pretty well, I think.

Trust "EDDY YAMAMOTO CLUB MIX" - Yeah it's probably in the house/funk/dance genre but it really just feels like a slightly dancier version of the original with a crunchier beat. I actually listen to this INSTEAD of the original very frequently.

Two of us "HAL's Mix" - At this point you probably know the HAL M.O. for remixes that work as alternate versions... moody, trip-hoppy, slow R&B rhythm. I think this takes the cheesiness out of the original Two of us and it's easier for me to feel the darkness and sorrow in a legitimate way.

UNITE! "Huge UR-Chin mix" - Huge (who passed away in 2003, sadly) was fantastic at these bright, sweet, and yet not at all fragile sounding alternate-version style remixes. This is one of my favorite tracks of his.

I have to stop here again! We're going out. hahaha.... I'll be back later with the last few.

[primavera♥]

^the too late lab life remix is actual life. Ugh. Probably my favorite ayu remix. Or at least top 3

[labello]

Wow thank you so much for all your recommendations!
Some songs I did know, most I didn't. I tried to look for them online/iTunes and I did like the ones I've heard so far. It's quite a long list so it might take me some time to actually listen to all of them but I really appreciate your guys suggestions
Thank you so much!!

Also thank you for the descriptions of the songs, where to find them, why you like them, etc. I really appreciate it!!

[Delirium-Zer0]

Okay last batch of recommendations!

vogue "HAL's MIX 2000" - This is like, one of the fans' least favorite ayu remixes.... but i'm not gonna lie, it was a huge contributor to my fandom. Talk about your trip-hoppy atmospheric dark tracks. Vocoder effect on ayu's voice, HAL whooshes, exotic and mysterious sound effects, totally epic. I freaking love this remix, and I will never NOT freaking love this remix.

vogue "Kirari Natsu Ayu Mix" which you already know.

Voyage "83key's Eternal Remix" - This remix uses a different, sadder chord progression than the "Canon" progression of the original song, and brings out aspects of the melody I'd never noticed before. It's a strings-based arrangement with a slow, rolling rhythm and some underwater-type effects on some vocal samples.

walking proud (CALM's Balearic Remix Radio Edit) (aka walking proud x CALM) - Very solid electro rework of walking proud with a cyclic, flowing sort of beat and a really pretty atmosphere.

WHATEVER "FPM's WINTER BOSSA" - I mean really it's... what if Fantastic Plastic Machine produced "WHATEVER," haha... bossa/latin jazz-inspired dance remix, lots of maracas and new background vocal samples.

Who... "Blue Obsession Mix" - samples the piano from the original but gives it new everything else. Very dreamy and lovely. It sounds the way a sad, nostalgic sigh feels.

Will "Wall5 Remix" - Edgier, rockier electronic take on "Will." The vocals are rearranged to fit a 4/4 beat during the verses which were originally 6/8, but it doesn't sound awkward or wrong thanks to the slight distortion filter and the echo and glitch effects placed on them. The drum track has a slight drum & bass vibe in that it's very complex and quick. The instrumental break has some experimentation with polyrhythms too... Very bold, dynamic sort of remix.

Wishing "taku's CHEMISTRY REMIX" - Slow R&B version of the song with acoustic guitar all through it, remixed by Taku Takahashi of m-flo (who produced Merry-go-round and MY WAY)... Taku was much more conventional R&B/hip-hop back in '99 though, and this is a very pretty, simple, unassuming version of Wishing.

YOU "MASTERS OF FUNK R&B REMIX" - Well... it's an R&B Remix of "YOU" lol. Utilizes a ton of 90s R&B tropes to get the sound, really nails it. I don't think it's anything special, having grown up hearing a TON of 90s R&B on the radio & on MTV all the time, but it's solidly produced to be sure.



Well..... that oughta do it! XD

[mi|kshake]

^Think I need to listen to both versions of Seasons side by side. It's been a while since I've listened to the A Ballads version.

My remix recommendation is Never Ever from Ayu-mi-x IV Acoustic Orchestra. It's so dramatic and I think I prefer it to the original! Very underrated remix IMO.

[orangeakira]

Delirium pretty much named everything. Here are a few songs that weren't mentioned though that I highly recommend.

A Song for XX (Ferry Corsten Chilled mix)
It's a really relaxed/chillout remix. It sounds really cold to me and I consider it a wintery type of song. When I say that, I literally picture this song playing while frigid wind and snow are blowing.

Far away ''Ocean View Remix''
Another chilled out/relaxing song. Although not as calm as the ASFXX remix. The violins and drum beat remind me of waves going in and out of the shore. It does build up a bit throughout the song, but nothing I'd consider dancey or worthy of being played in a club.

STEP you (DJ TAKI-SHIT More Step Up Remix)
This one is pretty awesome. It really adds a nice tropical/raeggae sound to the song. It's upbeat and very "fun in the sun". Definitely a fun island song that I could enjoy in the summer.

HANABI ''electrical Bossa mix''
A bossa nova remix. It's really calm sounding. And once again it is summery and kind of reminds me of a beach sunset. Something to be played at the end of a long day.

HANABI ''ARIWA Dub Mix''
I'm only going to recommend this song if you end up liking the electrical bossa mix because they sound very similar. This one is a bit more upbeat and a lot more reverb and echos are added.

blossom (Clockwork yellow remix)
I can't express how much I love this song. I don't really like crossroad but this remix is just one of my favorites. This is dancey though but what they did with the song is very awesome. It's guitar driven and it sounds like something a live cover band would play. It actually, at parts, sounds like it samples Ladies Night. unfortunately the preview that itunes has doesn't feature the reverb piano part which is my favorite part of the remix, so I suggest looking it up on youtube or something to hear the full song cause I feel like hearing a small sample of this remix out of context is going to make it sound really weird.

[tsumekaze_]

I love love love this thread!!! <3

I don't know many of the songs y'all recommended. Lovely~

I'd like to add Together When... x CO-FUSION from ayu-mi-x 6 - silver-
I just love this version

edit: Delirium already suggested this one, gomen!

[DonkeyKongRemix]

My favorites are Two of Us (HAL's Mix), Ever Free (HAL's mix), and Daybreak (HAL's mix)...

notice a trend there? XD

And I like Appears on A Ballads.

Actually...

...I just love remixes in general. One of my other favorites is Connected (Ambient mix)

[chocopockymaster]

I got some awesome remix recommendations from this thread *__* Thanks guys!

I've been obsessed lately with NEVER EVER (PROJECT O.T MIX). idk, it just gets me right in the feels.

[Delirium-Zer0]

The remixes on NEVER EVER are some of the most unique, creative, and under appreciated remixes in her discography. Remixing a 3/4 time rock song can't be easy but the material we got ended up being shockingly good. It's one of my favorite singles because of it.

[mi|kshake]

Just realised I forgot to also mention Kanariya from Acoustic Orchestra 7. I love how desolate it sounds - the perfect Rainy Mood song!

[Zeke.]

I can't believe nobody mentioned fated (orchestra version)!

Omg, the cellos alone are enough to place this version near the top! So beautiful and gorgeous. One of her best i believe! You must listen.

Also, I have to recommend SURREAL and Fly high from Instrumental MOODS - Songs Of Ayumi Hamasaki Piano Sonata. These arrangements completely change the feel of the song and bring out the emotion behind them. SURREAL is my favorite, followed by Fly high. You can listen here: http://m.mp3.zing.vn/album/Instrumen.../ZWZACEZE.html

I never thought of SURREAL as an emotional song, but this completely changed my perception of it. It's just beautiful and really brings the composition to life. Just stunning. I hope to play for my piano midterm.

[Delirium-Zer0]

I don't remember why I didn't include any AO versions in my list, lol....

omg though, fated Orchestra version. <3 <3 <3 The way the strings fade out at the end HITS ME IN THE FEELS SO HARD.