Makke - Boulder Dash (Jamrock Dash)

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Track info
Arranged by:
Makke Veteran
Member profile:
Original SID:
Original composed by:
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Duration:
2:56
Released:
02/12/2020
Charts position:
21. in the year 2020
368. in all-time charts
Score:
92%
Story

Was messing around with some reggae ideas and ended up with this.

 

Maybe I should have spent some more time on the vocals but couldn't finding time to do it. These vocals were recorded in 15-20 minutes between meetings. An unexpected advantage of working from home. 😉

 

Credits to Chris Abbott. I used his old MIDI file as basis for a lot of the organ arrangement.

 

Lyrics:

We no do the rat race

We be diggin' for gems

Rockford no do the rat race

He no play no games

 

Boulder Dash

Boulder Dash

 

We go down in tunnels

We go after them

Rockford head for the tunnels

We go after gems

 

Boulder Dash

(Boulder Dash)

Boulder Dash

(Boulder Dash)

 

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Shouts
This is amazing! All the little gimmicks and gems. Makke's creativity is king.
Wow! Lovely tune! Me like!
What's not to love. Awesome front to back, nice Jacob Miller vibes! :D
Impressive, both technically and artistically!
Makke... Still funny and clever all these years on :)
WT-MEEEEEEGA-F*****CKIN' GREAT, man!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D
Weee, rasta, probably it is only me, feels like benefactor, the jungle level :)
Jammin'
Review by LaLa
02/12/2020

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

The vocals are just - wow. The idea of making this into a reggae is just - wow. But something feels a bit off with this remix. The harmonic interaction between the organ sounds and the stabby chords sounds weird at times. It's not dissonant, but something is off, can't quite put my finger on it. But overall, that's just a minor complaint, completely overtaken by the sheer creativity of this remix.
13/12/2020

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

Good boy! The original piece is so ugly that making it look good requires a lot of craftsmanship!
Review by Poke16384
02/12/2020

Technique

Artistic skill

Nostalgia factor

Overall rating

So, before writing this review, I listened to your remix several times, (and also to the original SID… and to Chris Abbott's midi file). The first 25 seconds of this arrangement made me smile with joy. It's a great feel with genuine reggae elements and artistically, I can't fault it! As I listened through though, something sounded 'off' in the chords and it took a few listens to nail it. The keyboard 'chop' chords don't follow the chord progression of the other instruments consistently; especially during the original Boulderdash chord run. 1st time through they stick at the root chords then 2nd time they follow and it knocks the quality of the remix out of kilter. This occurs in other places too! If this was a noob's 1st remix, I'd be a little gentler but Marcus, it feels lazy for a veteran; especially someone with your pedigree. The 20 minute vocals sound fine but for the sloppy chop chords failing to consistently follow the chord progression, I've got to rap your knuckles and wonder why… Nostalgically, this hits the mark enough to be a happy reminder of the original except for the 'mistakes'. I love the reggae feel of this and the mix & master sound great, (to my ears at least). I realise that some will disagree with my opinion but I've tried to be both critical of the shortcomings and complimentary of the highlights in a fair and consistent manner.