Hateno Village is a testament to the perseverance and determination of the Hylian people. After the fall of Hyrule Castle and Fort Hateno in Breath of the Wild, the remnants of the once prosperous kingdom had to come together to rebuild their society and their way of life, bit by bit. The farmers and shopkeepers, the dye shop workers and Bolson Construction workers all have their part to play in making the town the welcoming place that it is. In a similar way, all of the members of the J-MUSIC Ensemble work together to take the familiar “Hateno Village” track to new, more soulful heights in this jazz remix.
Right out of the chute, you have to credit Robbie Lee for his keyboard playing and Perrin Grace for his work on the acoustic bass, because they are constantly present throughout the whole song and keep the melody going keep with their persistent tempo. They’re the farmers of this little Hateno ensemble, diligently planting the musical seeds and harvesting the fruit that grows from them. Without them, the whole thing would fall apart.
Watching Ben Zweig lead the percussion section is an amazing experience, because he is a flurry of activity. From his constantly moving hands, he produces instrument after instrument to add a variety of beats to the song. With one drum in front of him, one between his knees, what appears to be a tambourine to his left, and what sounds almost like a rainmaker to his right, Zweig is always ready with the perfect sound to either keep the song flowing or add a little flourish to a specific note. He’s the Sheikah scientist who acts as the Swiss Army Knife of the village, always ready with some new instrument to solve the town’s problems.
Ben Sutin’s contributions on the violin add layers of emotion to the song. The gentle weeping and wailing of the violin is symbolic of the struggles the Hyruleans have endured. But in the end, Sutin’s violin ultimately speaks of determination, for each sequence of long, sorrowful notes concludes with a lasting note of resolution, reminding us that the people of Hateno never quit.
Alec Goldfarb’s quick guitar riffs and sustained notes towards the middle add some soulful funk to the remix. His creative flair calls to mind Hateno’s dye shop workers. Just surviving and replicating the song that already existed is not enough. Like the dye makers, Goldfarb brings something new to the mix and injects his own color and emotion into the movement.
While Patrick Bartley’s contribution on the alto sax is fantastic throughout the song, his work towards the end is downright stunning. The rising and falling sequences are played with such passion, reminding me of the Bolson Construction workers who maintain the village houses, especially a certain abandoned abode. It’s so funky yet heartfelt that the very stones of Link’s dilapidated home must have wept.
Some musical performances leave you a happy mess, the tears in your eyes a sign that the ensemble has truly touched your heart. In this case, a group of musicians and friends who share my love for the “Hateno Village” theme infused the beloved piece with joy and sorrow extracted from the very depths of their souls. I’ll always be thankful for the incredible emotional gift that J-MUSIC Ensemble has given me.
