Level 10 Retro Game Remix Double LP Review by Britt "Celebrating 10 Years Of Retro Game Remix [2014-2024] 💿 #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM

The last time I had the pleasure covering Erek Ladd’s music was back in 2022 when I covered his album Lifestream, an absolutely astonishing record that was recorded and performed to perfection. In fact, so taken was I by the production of that album, that upon receiving notice that I was going to be covering Level 10 I realised that I was excited about the thought that I’d once again get swept up in that rich production tapestry, without even knowing what songs were to be included! I’m happy to report that the production is - again – amazing, and that the tracks included on this - almost thirty track long - double LP will very lead to the removing of trousers for a lot of folks out there who enjoy instrumental versions of key songs throughout the history of gaming performed expertly with passion by a man who very much has a flair for this sort of thing. You’ll be emotionally involved, you’ll be swept away, you’ll be dazzled by energy and technique, but regardless of the high level of performance on display, it never devolves into masturbatory widdly-widdly guitar solos , such is Erek’s level of taste and style. Good.With cover art created by Ash Meloan of Switch Wicked - a melange of arranged consoles, controllers, items and musical instruments all arranged to spell out ‘10’ on the front image of the record, the pink hue of the artwork is also reflected on the coloured vinyl themselves, which are ensconced in white sleeves. The rear of the gatefold states that this record is a celebration of 10 years of Retro Game Remix, with everything recorded, mixed, mastered, and performed by Erek Ladd, below this is the track listing information as well as the additional personnel on each song. Opening up the gatefold shows Erek with his son, clutching the previous Lifestream vinyl, as well as some promo and in-studio shots of Erek throughout the years , composing tracks for this record. There is also a paragraph from Erek giving a little history on the creation of the album.

From the Troggo website:

"Welcome to Level 10! Level 10 celebrates ten years of Retro Game Remix. Now this isn’t your average “greatest hits” project. Every single piece of music on this has been re-touched, re-mixed & re-mastered. And the songs that were originally from Retro Game Remix Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4 have been completely re-done as well from top to bottom with new arrangements and new instrumentation - how cool!

Level 10 takes you on a journey which more or less echoes the original order of release from Retro Game Remix Vol 1 up until now. So many people have asked me over the years to release a greatest compilation album... so here it is!

It’s been the honour of a lifetime creating new arrangements of these beloved tracks for just over a decade now so I hope you’ll join me in celebrating 10 years of RGR with Level 10!"

Use discount code "SHIPPINGBREAK" for $8 off shipping if you spend more than $50!

Give the digital edition a listen here!

https://retrogameremix.bandcamp.com/album/level-10

Pressed on 180g pink vinyl, double LP

Extremely limited--150 copies only!

Track listing:

Side A

1. Ken’s Theme (Streetfighter 2)
2. The Moon (Ducktales)
3. Title Theme (Journey To Silius)
4. Title Theme (Space Harrier)
5. Title Theme (Double Dragon)
6. Underwater Theme (TMNT)
7. Corneria (Star Fix)

Side B

1. Dolphin Park (Wave Race 64)
2. Blaster Master (Area 1)
3. Chemical Plant (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)
4. Mute City (F-Zero)
5. Strike The Earth (Shovel Knight)
6. Cheeseland (Mario Kart Super Circuit)
7. The Game Vorner (Pokemon Silver & Gold)
8. Outset Island (The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker)

Side C

1. Royal Raceway (Mario Kart 64)
2. Hydrocity Zone Act 2 (Sonic 3 & Knuckles)
3. Ancient Lake (Diddy Kong Racing)
4. Sewer Surfin – TMNT: Turtles In Time)
5. Route 209 (Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
6. Last Surprise (Persona 5)
7. Moon Over Castle (Gran Turismo)

Side D

1. Aquatic Ambiance (Donkey Kong Country)
2. Guile’s Theme (Streetfighter 2)
3. Gaur Plains (Xenoblade Chronicles)
4. WII Shop Channel (WII)
5. Sunny Beach (Wave Race 64)
6. Grape Gardens (Kirby Super Star)
7. Another Night In Neo Kobe City (Snatcher)

What you’ll see from the above track list is that it shows the versatility and variance on the record. These aren’t the standard riffs on myriad Zelda / Mario numbers that often seem to pop up on such releases, but a curated selection of seminal – and extremely catchy – music from the late ‘80s to the present day, a rounded selection that contains energetic tracks that occasional have some mellower moments, but for the most part contains tracks that have a positive, summery vibe that have enough thematic variance in them to keep the mood running, without becoming repetitive or dour. It’s great to hear versions of some lesser-celebrated tracks from gaming here performed on live instruments, it gives them a sense of organic warmth that highlights the compositions and technicality of the songs. All tracks feature guitar, bass, and drums performed by Erek, but there are blasts of brass and keys on a handful of tracks courtesy of Charlie Goddell, Julian Michael, Patricio Bottcher, Andre Lima, Jarod Meadows, Manuel Trabucco, Steven Higbee, and Rhett Nelson, all adding texture and colour, further brining the musical vibrancy to life.

Level 10 is a fantastic record both in terms of production and mastering as well as the physical presentation. Erek Ladd is a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist that bleeds passion, and this fact shines throughout the whole album. Combine this with the sense of family and community vibes that the artwork suggests and what you end up with is an album that bursts from your speakers with a sense of individuality and style, another beautiful release from Troggo records. Erek Ladd is very much a master of his craft, and I’m already look forward to what he tackles next!

Troggo Records