Donkey Kong Country "Aquatic Ambiance" (Solo Cover by Aaron Grooves)

One of my all-time favorite video game soundtracks is Donkey Kong Country. The melodies & atmospheres created by David Wise brought a new aesthetic to the genre, and the programming required to achieve this on the Super Nintendo had never been done before. It's arguably one of the most transformative pieces of video game music.
This piece in particular, "Aquatic Ambience," is one that I could listen to forever. There is such layered richness and variety that I never grow bored of it.
For this arrangement, I created a loop reminiscent of the original soundscape, then play melody, chords, and improvisations on piano.
Instruments used (in order of appearance):
Tambourine
Bass Drum
Frog Scraper (Of COURSE Frog Scraper is a legit musical instrument. How rude!)
Boomwhackers
Electric Bass
Piano
Alternate take with different piano solo: • Demo Take 3: Donkey Ko...
This video is protected by Copyright Law and KZbin Policy. For licensing inquiries, please email aarongrooves [at] gmail [dot] com.
My Live Duo Show: collisionofrhythm.com
My Instagram: / aarongrooves

[@alanbecker]

this guy is a true artist. that was beautiful

[@aarongrooves]

Aye!!! Alan Becker's in the house! Thanks so much!!

[@justcstd1918]

Oh hi alan becker i love your vids um a spider

[@19hsn29mdkl]

Чо ани говарят

[@yanuarandriansah9901]

Wowwwwww.. how can ?

[@Ian.Fisher]

It's always cool to see big KZbinrs in a comments section! I dont know why, the exist as much as I do lol

[@speedylinguine]

Also obligatory “you have to subscribe, he did a spin!”

[@aarongrooves]

Exactly what that spin was intended for! Haha

[@speedylinguine]

AaronGrooves and I love it

[@Poisonchapstick]

That’s a good trick

[@robsonclark9678]

Done!

[@JuanLopez-zg1ld]

Hey Mr. Williams, it’s Juan from vanguard learning center ! Glad to see you still have a passion for music ! I still remember things you taught me and that was about 10 plus years ago, you’re an awesome teacher and hope you are doing well during these crazy times. God bless you 🙏🏼

[@aarongrooves]

Juan Lopez!!! It's so good to hear from you. I can't believe those VLC days were over 10 years ago. Good times. I'm doing well, thanks. How are you? 🙏

[@JJpugle0n0]

Aaron dancing while hitting a bunch of musical sticks, what could be better?

[@pellaeon1877]

I didn’t grow up with DKC, but this song still feels very nostalgic for some reason. Absolutely fabulous rendition!

[@nothingleft3473]

You aren't allowed to group up until you've at least played DK on the SNES.

[@jgaming-zy5bg]

the piano is like the icing on the cake

[@peanuts.w.]

The way you just look while playing, it's awesome man. Pretty sure you've inspired Soo many people! Keep on doing what you are doing!! :3

[@Ian.Fisher]

Lol nice seeing you here

[@txikitofandango]

I did not expect to hear such a moving solo improvisation on this classic! The key modulations are stunning

[@joshuabang1437]

This is so amazing How does this man only have 200k subs?

[@aarongrooves]

Time to work on that!

[@skyset_]

Ikrr like man I had so much fun watching this xD

[@felipedesa6649]

@@aarongrooves AMEI

[@xcynicalreasonsx]

I'm so glad I got to be part of this artistic experience 🎉❤️

[@GiuseppeZompatori]

Nice improv, you have great talent.

[@redwoodguyTTV]

Yes. Just yes. Yes indeed sir. This took me back many years of gaming with my younger brother . Thank you for pulling out something from my memory that I didn’t know existed by being a phenom. Keep making videos!!!!

[@reaneya]

Spending time with you is time well spent, thank you.

[@dex_musique]

This is without a doubt really amazing! And that spin! It’s like Michael Jackson♥️

[@Steve41st]

This man makes yet another greatest thing ever

[@catboydale]

Tears down my face. That was a beautiful rendition of one of the greatest songs from David Wise.

[@benkay1026]

You legend. That was the most amazing performance. I wasn’t prepared.

[@BritneyT.]

I feel like I should be hearing this on CBC's Saturday night jazz segment!

[@cosmicdust3881]

I can literally imagine myself playing the game again. Thank you for the memory.

[@KxNGFeel]

Thumbs up before the video starts. I know this is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mellow777hahaa]

I did the same haha

[@genuisperson6062]

I would love to wake up to this

[@CaptainCrowShayHook]

This is so lovely to listen to, very nostalgic and one of my all time favorite SNES music soundtracks. Your spin on it is fantastic. Thank you for sharing. 💗

[@craigmerkey8518]

awesome AF... where else can I laugh AND cry... you make it look so effortless... I would watch you all day!

[@MG3B92]

Love this video, the piano part is so expressive. What an insane level of talent!

[@TheOneWhoTubes]

THAT WAS AWESOME! Thank you very much.

[@aarontruitt]

This is absolutely phenomenal. Thank you for sharing!

[@theftking]

_"you're not doing that"_ 😮

[@mashedpotatoes8900]

Love your stuff!

[@abigailpak202]

So clean!!! Love this

[@GreatOak99]

Wonderful, you’re so talented Aaron.

[@brendamunoz5863]

This is Perfect! 💕

[@PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth]

Just checked around KZbin, can confidently say this is the best cover of Aquatic Ambience I could find! (Smooth McGroove is a close second, obviously.)

[@aarongrooves]

Smooth McGroove is a legend, and I'm a fan. And thx!

[@Phil_529]

Check out Glasys version if you're looking for another quality cover. Aquatic Ambience (Donkey Kong Country) Live Synth Cover

[@6SecondSilence]

It's really not

[@vitorkk328]

Chills, literal chills

[@liseychim9452]

This is so amazing! Love your vids, they always make me smile

[@oak_-nc3bc]

Dude, you're amazing. Never change

[@rachelrobertson5689]

Bravo! Thoroughly enjoyed

[@KakarotLee33]

freaking amazing work!!!!

[@christinapercussion]

Just lovely!!

[@johnc1963]

I keep coming back to this video, I love it!

[@CollinDEvans]

Wow man, that was amazing. Thanks for bringing back an old memory and taking it to the next level

[@francom.2698]

That's what i'm living for. I like everything. So much talent Bravo. What else could i say ? Respect

[@FunkyChamel]

Incredible! The piano score was sooo well expressed. Excellent rhythms, melodies, dynamics, accents, and what a cadence. Aarongrooves, thank you for another fantastic performance!

[@sadboiz4lyfe]

Masterfully coordinated!

[@MetaKnight68]

Absolutely incredible!!! One of your best covers to date.

[@Dazs]

An amazing cover, was absolutely blown away. Subscribed right away!

[@starstrudel8417]

Immaculate, soulful, layered, artistry. Somehow you manage to play the song the way it's truly felt, not just the way it's known.

[@stevesteve0521]

Very talented and one of the best video game tracks ever, thank you sir

[@Blaky182]

So relaxing 😍 Thank you for sharing!! 😍❤

[@maxhammer4168]

What a beautiful arrangement!

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

You are crazy talented. Thanks for sharing the video with us!

[@duanetv1925]

Thanks 🙏🏾 for sharing your artistry! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@Dustavio]

Loved it dude

[@Vince-uf2xh]

One of the most unbelievable videos I’ve ever watched instant subscribe.

[@ICharlyl]

I shed a tear with this, this is beautiful

[@aesohsyam116]

This is so beautiful, so glad I found this. You're a master of your craft Sir! Amazing n a half FRfr

[@SmashMan108]

This dude makes his music sound and look like art, i love it!

[@jabrielbynum1150]

This was awe inspiring.

[@Synthonizers]

Incredible man!!!

[@HereticPlays]

Thank you for this ❤

[@colobolo7532]

So calming, so beautiful. Your videos never disappoint!

[@gustata3158]

Man, i have no words to say how much i love your artwork!!! Thank you so much for be this incredible person, and share with us pieces like this...! 🚀

[@kevinbissinger]

Thank you for sharing your art with us

[@xxcabookaxx]

This is one of my favorite relaxing video game songs for sure. Your rendition was fabulous

[@Carlos-cz8tm]

Wow incredible 😮 👏👏

[@RoseQuartz692]

This is a wonderful cover AaronGrooves

[@marinaaquino-ellul1247]

Wow you are amazing! Continue doing this awesome work...you really are inspiring 😆👏

[@monocultura]

Aaron. You have got it! Perfect Video!!!!!

[@danilohenrique1008]

Wow!! This is AWESOME!!! 😁😁😁

[@baskoers1491]

Wauw I love it, what I great version with you own touche. Thanks bro it's sounds great, "Aquatic Abiance" is pure nostalgia for me.

[@meaganlongley618]

You’re so funny and so talented!!! I love to watch you!!

[@Write-Stuff]

This guy has to be one of the coolest people alive. Incredible talent in everything he touches.

[@ShantiL_]

Witt headphones on it's-- incredible (it's been like 3 months that I didn't have headphones ans im glad that this is thé 1rst music im listening)

[@crunk6232]

just plain beautiful dude, fantastic job!

[@pamisjamming]

Perfection all the way around. You're a genius.

[@crnkmnky]

👧🏾 That profile picture is just precious. Are you still jamming, Pam?

[@MS-cs1yc]

You truly make my day ❤️🙏☀️

[@danielletanguay7272]

Amazing!

[@kcnate2131]

Beautifully played man!

[@IanCouto]

Amazing, man

[@juneturpin2019]

Your talent is soooo refreshing! One can close their eyes and be where ever they chose your music to take them. That is a gift! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@naimadbewater8315]

Genial bro!! So beauty

[@kbarrett8991]

This is the best cover of this song I’ve seen on KZbin. You’re awesome dude you earned yourself a sub!

[@zincpodzzz]

What a journey! Love the slow buildup of adding the different sections of the song. It’s so worth it when everything finally is played at once!

[@Atzedernatzte]

Awesome!

[@willdoyle3225]

Amazing work as always! Your style of performing never ceases to amaze me!

[@eancklean7922]

I can feel the passion that Aaron has put into this very piece of art that this video has become. Absolutely astonishing

[@splaz333]

you are super talented keep it comin

[@mrrlyl]

gosh this is gooood man

[@schakura213]

I can listen to this for hours. So happy I found AaronGrooves :)

[@jamieyork8615]

Great job!!

[@LG-ss3pr]

Nice job on this Solo Cover AaronGrooves! Keep it up!

[@onssj435]

This is so nostalgic, one my favourite games and the soundtrack is beautiful!

[@HoffayStudios35]

Not even thirty seconds in and I’m liking cause of how fun you made it look to produce

[@laurocamargo5889]

Excellent work! 👏🏻 It's incredible when the piano starts! 😍 Now I'm playing this to my little baby sleeping. Thanks, man!

[@TheRrobio]

Man, that brings me back almost 25 years. To this day, DKC is my favorite game. Thank you very much.

[@victorrrc8174]

Wtf, this is SO amazing!!!

[@ana84br]

Lovely memories! Só talented 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤

[@defrysocop990]

You make feel so special, great song, great game, great gift to have played for us.

[@davidaz04]

😍😍😍 incredible

[@jahsunnewman-makekau5193]

hecka talented bro ~ on point

[@sinistersaint]

The talent in this guy is just incredible. This was amazing!!