Smash Ultimate: Lifelight Jazz Fusion Cover || insaneintherainmusic

Smash Ultimate's main vocal theme sure has a lot of SPIRIT! Insaneintherainmusic's video game jazz saxophone cover of Lifelight from Smash Ultimate (feat. Zabrina Hay & Spiro Dussias).
Zabrina’s Instagram: / zabrinamusic
Spiro’s (Sammy’s) Instagram: / spirodussias
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I wasn’t thrilled when I first heard the theme for Smash Ultimate. Brawl has always had my favorite opening theme of any Smash game, and I thought it would be hard to top. After Lifelight during the last Smash Direct, everything changed for me. In the trend of songs like Jump Up Superstar, Nintendo has been doing an excellent job of creating incredible vocal tracks that encapsulate the spirit of their respective games so well. I cried when I first heard Lifelight, and listening to it still gives me chills. I knew I had to create something with this masterpiece.
This arrangement was very challenging to pull off. I struggled with arrangement concepts for a long time, toying with different potential styles and interpretations. My Berklee friends Sammy (guitar on Big Blue, Fossil Falls & Route 225) and Zabrina (backing vocals on Can You Feel the Sunshine) hit me up and said they were very interested in working on a version of this tune! I immediately obliged, and settled on a Dirty Loops “extreme reharmonization” style. Doing this drastic amount of reharm can be very problematic if not used carefully - I’ve heard many renditions of songs where the original intent is completely lost in favor of stretching the reharm (weird flex, but okay), and I did my best to avoid that in this arrangement! To me, the added reharmonization creates an extra degree of tension and uncertainty, something that relates to the plot of World of Light quite well. (I'm reading this description again in 2021 and now I'm like "uh Carlos you maaaaaybe overdid the reharm a bit LOL")
I’ve also experimented with the video style quite a bit! I’ve seen videos from creators like Platina Jazz and Peter Hollens use interesting moving split screen techniques like this, and I thought it’d be fun to challenge myself with an edit like this. This video edit clocked in a lot more time than usual, since achieving the video motion that I was going for took a lot of specific key framing and curve adjusting. I discovered partway through the process of editing this video that Premiere has a keyframe curve editor just like After Effects does, so playing around with Bezier curve settings was a lot of fun for me! Okay, video nerd out over.
I hope you enjoy this last video of 2018! More interesting things will be coming your way in 2019 :D
♫ “Lifelight" from “Smash Ultimate" composed by Hideki Sakamoto (坂本 英城)
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[@AdamNeely]

PROTIP: Make sure the synth and the vocals are in the same key

[@slowgold20]

there are a bunch of people complaining that the vocals are out of key with the track--apart from parts like 1:28 that repeat a couple times, is this reharm actually so egregious? I thought it sounded pretty good.

[@Woody_jospeh]

Julian Amrine kzbin.info/www/bejne/gInJgqZ-iZqWaZI :)

[@slowgold20]

@@Woody_jospeh thats one of my favorite video's of Neely's! No one wants the youtube community more toxic than it is already--we don't need constant negative critiques of literally everything. But that doesn't mean I'm not curious what someone like him thinks about this ;)

[@slowgold20]

@@Woody_jospeh oh fuck I just r/whooooshed myself I forgot about that comment from the Nero/Knower video lol. Christ. Points still stand I guess? shit.

[@leirex_1]

*BASS*

[@rcookie5128]

1:56 SSBB theme weaved into it, this is fine art, my friend!

[@tikaal]

3:05 for SSB4

[@rcookie5128]

@@tikaal That's still SSBB, not SSB4 :D

[@tikaal]

@@rcookie5128 The solo guitar plays SSB4's theme

[@rcookie5128]

@@tikaal Ohhh yeah, you're totally right!! ^^ That's cool.

[@DivineDisciple]

Both of the themes are played both times starting at 1:50 and 3:04. Both times it starts with Smash 4 and then Brawl is a little bit after.

[@MashAttack]

I heard that hint of Brawl's theme, man that was good

[@GetMadz]

I can't stop listening to this, this is incredible!!!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thank you so much :D

[@CobraSpartanX]

I love the Brawl theme pieces in this.

[@lebrickwall2880]

I'm surprised by all the people who don't like this cover in the comment section. At least for me, the reharm was really neat and worked well. As for the vocals and the background, I think they blend pretty well. Stellar job on this piece!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

I totally understand it, lots of people have different expectations when they come to listen to a cover! I wanted to try to change this song radically while still retaining the vocal and give the song overall a sense of unease, and then gradually progress back to normalcy towards the end.

[@lebrickwall2880]

@@insaneintherainmusic Thanks for the response! I see your points, and I really liked the tone of it, which was made stronger by the black and white filter on everything. Keep up the great work, Carlos!

[@stanleythemanley1653]

Lebrick Wall people should say stellar more I never hear anyone say it thank you

[@lebrickwall2880]

@@stanleythemanley1653 You are so welcome, it really is just a stellar word!

[@classymofo1059]

Also, for everyone complaining about this song not being good because the vocals clash with the melody being produced from the sax and guitar, or that the jazz fusion doesn't really fit and all that, I quote, " To me, the added reharminization creates an extra degree of tension and uncertainty, something that relates to the plot of World of Light quite well." The song is intended to sound the way it is, the arrangement isn't a mistake or bad.

[@rootbeeeeer]

classy mofo105 YES! This arrangement is genius! Under the words ‘rising up’ the chromatic bassline killed me

[@wholegrainbagels2970]

500 IQ

[@marshallgarey2913]

Yes. This. Also, kzbin.info/www/bejne/gInJgqZ-iZqWaZI

[@lightyagami1058]

That reharmonization is badass wdym

[@tonyzummallen8077]

I LOVE IT...i AM NO MUSICIAN AND I DO NOT NOW THE ORIGINAL. I ONLY HEARD THIS AS PART OF A RANDOM PLAYLIST FROM KZbin MUSIC CHANNEL AND AM STILL THUNDERSTRUCK BY THE INTRO AND THEN VOCALs ON THIS GIRL ARE SO AWESOME......AND IT JSUT KEEPS ON BRINGING ME INTO....THE WHOLE ENSEMBLE IS FN AWESOME!!!!!! IT IS A FAVORITE AND DOWNLOADED. IT GETS ME JAZZED THROUGH AND THROUGH....THANK YOU...... CRITICS WHAT TO THEY KNOW THE PUBLIC LOVES YOU...... I LISTEN TO THIS EVERY FN WORK DAY......OH AND IM IN MY 50'S

[@LimeMaxx]

Should have ended with insaneintherainmusic turning around with the smash logo in his eye. smh

[@aarontaylor1201]

CARLOS Tunes Up!

[@InsaneH]

You can make a Carlos Mii Fighter

[@scootchoong3920]

No

[@Jakeneutron]

FINALLY, THE COVER IVE BEEN WAITING FOORRR

[@JustinY.]

Now this is ultimate!

[@wholegrainbagels2970]

Hi

[@lordvader9072]

:O are there any videos you never been to?

[@osqh]

Get out of everywhere, geez

[@karelmirim5547]

@@lordvader9072 Try uploading one ;)

[@perplexity8260]

HE HAS RETURNED

[@RichaadEB]

good lord this is just nasty i don't care for the original much but this is super fun!

[@777mobin]

smh original is freaking fantastic how dare you 😤

[@leafMontilla]

I strongly agree. I initially skipped this song because I find the original quite obnoxious. Good thing I gave this rendition a second try, cause I'm really liking it.

[@AutobotTitan]

Huh, thought you would've loved Lifelight. Ah well, this is still an epic cover, I agree on that

[@corrinflakes9659]

Ironic.

[@DongusMcBongus]

The original is amazing. How can you not like Baldo Mode?

[@GLOCOgaming]

PLaying this in our New Year Celebration COuntdown~ XD

[@ItsRubenCharles]

Do more collabs with her! She sings really good!! her voice is just too enjoyable haha

[@tovi3280]

Next Page If you like Zabrina Hay, she actually has worked with Carlos before! This is the only one I know of, but she did a beautiful job in Carlos’ cover for “Can You Feel The Sunshine” as the backup vocals, even having a duo with Nick Smith at one point in the song. Tbh she did so well I tried searching her up, only to find almost nothing

[@Acevgm]

Can't believe so many people are saying they don't like this tbh. I think it's absolutely awesome and I'm always skeptical of complex jazz reharms like this.

[@insaneintherainmusic]

I can understand it, people are totally allowed to have differing reactions to music!

[@ClarusMiskin]

@@insaneintherainmusic i thinks it's because they only hear 4 beats looping and a mumble.

[@sabin97]

@@ClarusMiskin but that's literally the song they are covering.

[@MrCuptastic]

I have no idea how you consistently make the songs better than the originals

[@ethanclark9339]

It's the funk.

[@dannymusic]

Wow, this might be one of my favorites yet, both acoustically and visually! I could feel the Dirty Loops vibes even before reading the description; Zabrina really nailed it and looks like she's having a lot of fun! Heck, all'y'all look like you're having so much fun, this arrangement is truly full of *Life!* Love the other Smash Bros. quotes in the instrumental breakdowns as well, awesome job!

[@scottmc190]

This is a fantastic lesson in jazz reharm! This is got to be one of the best covers you've done man it's actually quite intimidating

[@maxhoflock]

I think, this is better than the original! Very well done!

[@Josiahhhhhhh]

This is WAY better for sure!

[@echospace7347]

Josiah Thieme na

[@emmbeesea]

0:32 that Piano doesn't seem very stable. 0:39 much better. Awesome Jazz Fusion embellishments all around!

[@selim3895]

is this a wild shelf

[@InsaneH]

Do you dare to criticize the holy Carlos Eiene?

[@tovi3280]

Epic Sax Guy Yes, because his piano looked like it made an earthquake Oml

[@theraginginfernape9496]

It's on his lap, you fools

[@hummingbirdsaltalimachia1782]

Yeah That kind of gave me anxiety

[@Ravenh00d]

C a l l e d i t. Knew when he said he was practicing sax techniques (don’t remember what exactly) with this song that it’d eventually make it. Nice inclusion of both Brawl and Wii U/3DS’ main themes and the more gritty atmosphere for Lifelight is a welcome change. Unfortunately, I’m not experienced enough to be able to catch things like the different keys that Neely found, but I don’t think it would’ve taken away much for me if I *was* able to. So glad Zabrina and Spiro worked with you on this one and can’t wait to see what life brings up next year!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thanks a bunch! I don't think you need to have any music theory knowledge at all to experience and appreciate music! While music theory knowledge does help, to me it's the visceral emotional reaction to a piece of music that matters more!

[@counterpointstudio5792]

Adam Neely was making a reference to a comment used on a video, criticizing odd chord reharmonizations. It was more of a joke recognizing some of the interesting chords used in this cover than something actually off with the song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gInJgqZ-iZqWaZI

[@The8m4n]

Either I missed it or I could not hear the other smash themes if you can find it fan you leave a timestamp

[@Ravenh00d]

Happens at a couple points: • *1:50**-**2:03* • *3:04**-**3:19* Both the Brawl and Smash 4 main motifs can be heard here.

[@The8m4n]

Thanks Chaotix I can enjoy this song even more

[@classymofo1059]

Oh yes, more of Sammy's sick guitar solos please! This is what I NEED in my life!

[@Mister2463]

Love hearing the different smash themes in the background at 1:50

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thanks! I'm glad you caught that!

[@utacca]

Never clicked so fast in my lifeeeee

[@gavinlong9244]

Magix same tho

[@SpicyRiceBryce]

That was totally me

[@JibbityJenkins]

Every raindrop needs a world of light inside it.

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Truth.

[@chuck168]

Simply amazing. Zabrina's voice was beautiful, and that little feat of putting other Smash games main themes was just priceless.

[@ryancozzolino7832]

Dear god that PRS is a beautiful guitar in the thumbnail! What a shade of green... and the satin finish combined with the grain of the wood is astounding.

[@TheCreepypro]

one of the best versions of this song if not the best I have ever heard

[@lookoutitsjax]

I’ve been anxiously waiting for this since you teased it on Instagram, and this is amazing! Lifelight was a great song to begin with, but your arrangement knocked it out of the park! And then you added a hint of the Brawl theme and Smash 4’s theme, and that just made it even better! This was an amazing finale to this year’s music, and I can’t wait to see what all you do next year! Thanks for this awesome arrangement, Carlos!

[@isawthexynn]

I LOVE the editing in this one! Amazing work, as always!

[@sabin97]

i recently started playing ssbu. the intro song really surprised me with how good it is(except the lyrics). i went to see if hal leonard had some jazz arrangement for it, but they didnt. and i accidentally found this video. it blew me away. the singer sounds PERFECT.....and the other two musicians as well. i liked this so much i added it to one of my lists.

[@VGOScore]

wow just fantastic! It would have been great if you had the string orchestra 🎻. perfect jazz fusion! I love it

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Haha, I've got some synth strings in here, not quiet the same as the real thing though!

[@supereststinger]

CELLO!!!!!! thats what i play but im not too the point where i can play with him :( one day tho

[@evan-ol3br]

Carlos's true combo of making everyone like the video

[@noahzahm9860]

Hey, I doubt anyone will read this as the video is 2 years old, but I just wanted to sincerely say I enjoyed this. I was grinning ear to ear the entire song, and I really appreciate your work. Thanks!

[@Firefox-Udon]

*This is truly an epic gamer moment.* You should totally do Meta Knight's Theme or Gourmet Race next.

[@Jamie-sg5in]

This is a banger that I’ll probably listen to for the entirety of next year.

[@illyrosen9772]

1:21 My heart pumps insanely to the rythm

[@ManicSocratic]

3:32 the percussion on this refrain of the chorus absolutely wrecks me every time. This is elevated beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

[@jolkert_]

This is the only cover of the song where I think the vocalist did this song justice. Lovin it

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Honored!

[@AsianboyMandude]

Carlos...you are amazing. You are simply a genius. Being able to compose stuff like this, play all these instruments, find fantastic people to collab with....AND EDIT VIDEOS. YOU ARE ONE OF THE COOLEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thank you so much, I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of experience with making videos, and I go to school at Berklee where there are an abundance of excellent musicians that I can work with!

[@uboligu1]

This feels like a Dirty Loops homage somehow. I love it!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

That was the intention!

[@gabrielsumrow1248]

That keyboard was VIBIN'

[@Jordarr8994]

Wow, this is in my top three from you. i like that the integrity of the original song is still there and is not lost in the arrangement which as you mentioned in the description is very easy to do in this style

[@VoluXian]

Your past won't be unnamed, at least in my book. You re-weaved the light into something even brighter. 👌

[@theroyaladmiral8569]

I've always had the feeling that Carlos would be a really fun dude to chill with. Each time I see you jamming in your vids only strengthens this feeling ♥

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Someday, perhaps we'll get to hang out and find out!

[@JeremySheer]

Best. Cover. From you. Ever. I love the electric guitar melee menu reference!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thank you - so glad you liked it and the little references I added!

[@ZuelaCorp]

Super Insane Ultimate! 🎶😍🎶 What a wonderful version! Beautiful voice! Excellent interpretations! And the aesthetics of the video ..! Excellent!! 🎶😊🎶 Grettings from Chile 🇨🇱

[@justinjyeung]

Perfect. I love the added tension from the reharmonization - in fact, the resulting ambiguous tonality reminds me of the OG Smash 64 menu theme, really representing that unpredictable, crossover, fighting nature of Smash!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thanks Justin!

[@bryncarre9396]

You know with your music I can be like Kirby and just listen to it all day long

[@valentinfx]

I heard this song 2 days ago and instantly thought and thought about how you would nail it. And DAMN RIGHT YOU DID !

[@jimmydebrular6427]

that bass line (2:03) was so c l e a n

[@holdommi7505]

Everyone in this video kicked ass

[@maikumiku9696]

the end gave me chills...

[@SSBam]

I love the original song to death. This just made it so much better

[@Smashologist]

The speed at which I clicked this video rivals the warpstar's.

[@loganwilliams6594]

I can relate.

[@maxquadrillion7786]

I was like, holdup a sec when it got jazzy. Loved this one.

[@lunagameplays5663]

I *love* this one so much!!! Spiro absolutely shredding it on that guitar, and Zabrina has an excellent singing voice, especially good for this song! And of course, Carlos getting down with his bad self is 100% a joy to see :3c Not to mention that FLUTE I s2g every time you break it out it knocks me over with how wonderfully you play it!!! I am loving these collabs, too, they really show off everyone's personality. I enjoy it 1000% more seeing you encouraging your friends and peers, getting into the groove, and really just unabashedly having a wonderful time ^^

[@SuperToastytoast]

I've been sick of this song but your arrangement makes me love it again

[@latiosfreak2000]

any lifelight cover doesnt matter if its close or different its always good

[@Protendo]

The Ultimate Christmas gift.

[@steelram4098]

EVERYONE IS HERE!!!!

[@Otakuwench904]

I knew this song would sound great as a jazz song as soon as I heard it.

[@PiercingSight]

The jazziness of this makes me so happy!!!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thanks a lot :D

[@pin0yy660]

I love Carlos’ little head bops! Also this is a great cover!

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Ah thanks!

[@XelaTunes]

This makes my colors weave into spires of flames

[@tomasadam3]

Zabrina and Spiro killed it! Truth be told I was getting a little tired of the original Lifelight song (due to hearing it constantly since its November debut) but this arrangement really drew in a new breath! Looking forward to what 2019 brings for you and the channel~

[@Josbird]

Your covers have gotten so incredibly good lately that you're in danger of becoming my favorite musician of all time. I listen to your Polyanna and FoHaD on a weekly basis, and now this...

[@table1ygo952]

So underated! Deserves millions of views, i can tell you guys aimed for perfection with this song

[@Toon444]

Perfect! Zabrina and sammy both also did a great job! I absolutly love this jazzy version of the song! As always i will add it to my favourite playlist as soon as it is on spotify! Keep it up!👍❤️

[@kasonjm]

I have to say, the producing value has gone up recently. Great job!

[@maxpeacemusic]

the chord subs are so sick the melody harmonies are so sick the bassline in that one bit is so sick this whole arrangement is so incredibly sick

[@NIGHTvdj]

how did I miss that when it was uploaded?? congratulations to everyone involved!!

[@Nrmo9]

Dirty loops vibes for days! Sick arrangement!

[@Duhemsounds]

I see some people talking about dissonances and keys, this is actually what makes this cover beautiful and unique :)

[@BJTangerine]

An arrangement marking a passionate jazz composer

[@zac3249]

Ooh so good! And very nice choice of singer for this song too, she fits the part real well. Awesome job on this one!

[@tzoakseba]

Dude, this has high levels of greatness

[@kacchako1014]

YEAH! I was waiting for this!

[@ContentGalaxyOfficial]

insaneintherain joins the competition

[@Jabe6]

You guys never disappoint... loved the guitar solo as well as her voice is spectacular! 👀

[@rohannabi3425]

This is all we just need life is complete

[@sethebrown]

So as a lifetime Nintendo fan, as someone who's favorite genre of music might as well be Nintendo music, and as a video game Composer who would love to work for Nintendo, I'm calling it. This is better than the original. This is everything I love about music all smashed into one arrangement!

[@WishGranted130]

Everyone is here. This is what I was waiting for. Thank you man.

[@ThePiDayIsAwesome]

I honestly get happy and motivated just from listening to this, great job

[@ElderRodrigo]

Man.... what a Voice!!! Wow

[@LesPluviophiles]

This is the ultimate cover of lifelight music !

[@manhattan514]

Yes, that was absolutely insane

[@IPerry8]

Hands down best video ever! Best way to end 2018. Props to everyone you worked with. And the flawless Zabrina with he amazing vocals that are on par with the original!

[@deedotorpedo]

this gave me goosebumps

[@HenriqueDevaje]

I call this a MASTERPIECE!!

[@tikaal]

King of arrangement

[@TRGOTSVODS]

I was worried this was a bad cover at first, but it was saved by the brief appearance of the melee theme near the end (But no, in all seriousness, this cover was super cool!! Those were some a m a z i n g vocals, and of course everyone else did really well too!)

[@AstroSyte]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG.

[@franciscoramirez3573]

This deserves to be in the game.

[@zig019]

That 60 bpm shirt is legendary

[@shamardaniel4819]

Oh my god!!!! It’s better than I hoped!!!!!!

[@melonah8499]

Yes dude!!! I’ve wanted u to do this since the moment I heard it. And you guys absolutely KILLED it! Keep it up man👍

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Thanks so much!

[@Joseph-li3df]

Just when I thought I'd gotten tired or covers of this song, I hear this. Great work, this was fantastic!

[@bryncarre9396]

I saw the thumbnail and Zabrinas face is hilarious!

[@colsonrudd6474]

God, it looks like you're enjoying yourself so much! I can only hope to be so good that other people want to play with me someday. In all your videos when your face isn't screwed up with concentration, it's split with a smile, and I totally get that. I aspire to be able to do something like this someday, I really really do! But I think I've gotta get some years under my belt first. The shivers and raw emotion that this piece brought me when I listened to it the first time were nothing to sneeze at, but your rendition with the syncopated vocals and the sax gave me chills. I love the riffs from the other games as well, and I honestly prefer these vocals to the original. My opinion of the song was that it was better sounding in Japanese (though those lyrics in English always make me wanna dance and grasp tomorrow and pierce the heavens with my drill or something), but listening to this really did it for me. Certainly going in my favorites playlist.

[@platinumstar3]

OMG I need this and Stark Mountain on Spotify and iTunes to complete my life man...Excellent job as always

[@insaneintherainmusic]

I think my distributor is currently on holiday break, so songs that I've submitted there might take a while to show up!