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Magical Sound Shower (Carribean Edit) - arranged by GhostReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 Steel drums galore - which is understandable. The idea of a Caribbean-styletune is novel but it wears thin pretty fast. There's only so much you can do with steel drums. If this remix was only half this long it would've had more punch. Plus I think the mixing of the tune could use some help to boost the sounds of the steel drums which sound dry and a bit too distant. |
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Storm (Its more fun to remix) - arranged by ifadeoReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 Even if you never listened to this cover you'll recognize two Kraftwerkreferences here: first, the name of the remixer which is a reference to Kling- Klang Studios, second the reference to the It's more fun to compute Kraftwerk piece. The cover itself also contains some Kraftwerk references: the opening seconds remind me of Autobahn, the more or less simplistic arrangement also smells of Kraftwerk. Unfortunately, most of the sounds selected for this cover are of the modernKraftwerk variety and I am not too fond of them in this context. A neat idea that needs to be worked on more. |
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Ocean Loader 2 (Dance X-Periment) - arranged by Sonic WandererReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 Don't let the almost romantic intro mislead you: this is a genuine danceremix. So genuine, in fact, that it's in the dime-a-dozen category: chew it once then spit it out. |
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Grand Prix Circuit - arranged by AmpReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 A fairly straight cover of Kris Hatlelid's famous digi tune. The openingseconds with the racecar sounds are very appropriate, then it continues in a promising fashion, but after that there are several problems with this cover. First, the lead sound is a washed out pad instead of a more edgy sound. Then the oh-so-important electric guitar hits that make or break the original have been tamed here so much that it makes the tune sound weak. Having a piano in there later was also a mistake. All in all, this cover just doesn't gel together very well: it can't decide whether it wants to be edgy or not and that's not a good thing. |
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Arabian Zoids (Themed Solo) - arranged by LarsecReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 Ever since Jarre's Millennium concert at the pyramids of Ghiza I've come toappreciate Arabic music more and more, especially modern Arabic pop and Arabic singing. This chill-out cover of Zoids has some of the latter - and that's where the Arabianattribute ends. So in this sense the title is a bit misleading. It may have started as an Arabian style cover, but then it morphs into a standardchill-out track, then into improvisational noodlings based on some SID classics. In other words, if you want to hear a coherent SID remix, steer far away from this one. The individual chunks of this remix are interesting, but as a whole they don't make any sense to me. After this 9 and a half minute long track I was left confused, not satisfied. The good point is that the technical quality of this track is pretty high. |
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Cauldron II - I am a Pumpkin Man - arranged by traumaReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 This tune is pretty awesome for several reasons: first it's an excellent blendof a capella vocals and a heavier rhythmic overlay. Second, I find it very funny - if you don't smile when this cover starts, you are not getting the joke or you never played the game. This is because the vocals actually make sense! Third, it has a very good progression to it: it starts in a humorous way with only vocals. Then a hard rock singer's voice comes over all this as frustration builds. Then the rhythmic overlay provides even more drama. After a short and very appropriate bridge section - which features Kraftwerkish drums - the tune culminates in a crazy organized chaos that sounds similar to a heavy metal concert mostly because of the presence of heavily distorted electric guitars. I find the result absolutely ingenious! It's an excellent, excellent piece! "I am pumpkin man! " ADDENDUM: Recently I've been listening a lot to this awesome tune, thanks to re-discovering it on the BIT Live DVD. My only gripe about it now is that when the purely a cappella part ends and the drums kick in, the signature base of the original tune ("I am a Pumpkin Man and I'll be jumping… jump, jump, jump, jump, jump") is no more. That's a bit of a shame, but I still think the remix is awesome as is. Can't get enough of Pumpkin Man! PS: This will be played a lot on Halloween night to scare the trick-or-treating kids… |
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Last Ninja - Wilderness Woodhouse Mix - arranged by Chris MReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 It starts with a pretty good groove, but it continues in a disappointingfashion: the lead sounds are weak and out-of-place, there are way too many tingly and bellish overtones. If the intention was to evoke oriental feelings, the result is a total failure. The arrangement is not too bad per se, but the instruments should've been selected more carefully. |
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The Last Ninja (clouded mind version) - arranged by mymessedupmindReview by LaLa, 01/03/2003 A very interesting experiment where the Last Ninja tune is slowed down and itis put into a sort of ambient wrapping. I don't think it's as artisticas it was probably intended to be, but it is certainly a notable effort. It's a pretty good for a chill out track as it's very pleasant to listen to. |
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Cauldron II - I am a Pumpkin Man - arranged by traumaReview by hbasm, 28/02/2003 I'm sorry, but I think this is absolutely awful. I also think I can say this openly without hurting the artist, because this is no surprise. This kind of music just doesn't ring for everyone!I'll rate this average for technical and artistic impression because the outcome isn't technically bad. The nostalgic impression doesn't exist for me, because I don't see a relationship here to the C64 nor have I ever played the original game. I can't stand listening to this tune, but some people will think the opposite, so the arrangeur need not worry. 😉 |
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Firelord - Symphonic - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by Tas, 27/02/2003 How glyn managed to make this awesome rendition of firelord sound so good in fruityloops is beyond me! but the facts say it for themselves, this was created in fruityloops using only average quality samples. But the key thing here is glyn's ability for music just shines through!The point is that i doubt glyn could ever do better than this in this current configuration. So what happens now, he goes and buy's himself a monster keyboard and the future of glyn is even brighter… The future's bright, the futures Brown |
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Ramparts (DnB Remix) - arranged by korrphReview by hbasm, 27/02/2003 I've heard these kind of rhythms before but not in concert with good melodies. So this is a rather tasteful favourite of mine. Drums could have been more upfront and 3D, but overall the instruments are well balanced. If wouldn't have come up with this style, if I was to remix the original C64 tune, but it's rather interesting. |
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Laxity Again (mellow mix) - arranged by Joe [Stainless Steel] BarwickReview by LMan, 27/02/2003 It's always nice to see that someone takes on SIDs not so well known. Stainless Steel has choosen the proper description for his remake ofLaxity Again, it is a mellow electronic ballad. Sound-style-wise I'd place it in the 90s, with a TR-909 beat accompanying the synths. Although the remix is indeed more mellow than the original, I still think it renders the feel of the SID perfectly. A really enjoyable listen! |
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Miami Vice Loada - arranged by MistaDistahReview by rafael, 25/02/2003 I'm quite unsure about this remix really.On the one hand, some nice strangely hypnotic and nostalic sounds, that do sound like a C64 gone synthesizer. But on the other hand, for me, the track lacks progression. There's an upbeat, driving Lynne-esque kind of bass line getting the whole moving after a while that makes it more exciting but overall, it sounds like Wizball's on E. I'm not happy to critisize it for what it is, because if you like that kind of thing, it'll surely do it for you. But if you're looking for an inspired, thriving hair-standing-on-the-neck kind of C64-meets-synths kind of remix, download Brimble's Lightforce. Rafael |
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Defender of the Crown - arranged by Sune Munkholm PedersenReview by putzi, 23/02/2003 Defender of the Crown in the best instrumentation that I can think of!No synth-like sounds, but sounding of what I think is ancient middle-age music, giving it the authentic touch. The drums sound a bit too bassy and deaf, but anyway: this cover will bring up the loading screen of DotC in a flash! |
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Last Ninja Remix - Sewers (soft mix) - arranged by CytexReview by putzi, 22/02/2003 A very relaxed tune that you play when you are fed up of Enigma and want something more pop. The original tune was some 80s synth hit, AFAIK.The instruments used do not sound cheap and the synths are sweet. Really a chill-out tune, adds nothing special to the original. Good mixage. |
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The Last Ninja (clouded mind version) - arranged by mymessedupmindReview by Tas, 22/02/2003 Sid sounds with drums and a few added additional effects. What else can you say about it! not much really.Die hard Last ninja fans need only to apply! |
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Miami Vice Loada - arranged by MistaDistahReview by Tas, 22/02/2003 MistaDistah goes walkabout for a while, but then after an absence returns with a whole new sound picture and approach creating an inventive ambient piece of work of a tune that hasn't had too many outings.The whole sound picture to this is so full, calming and oh so so nice! The use of analogue sounds to this piece just makes it! A whopping, stonking fine tune. Hats off to you MistahDistah |
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Platoon (Sub tune 3) - arranged by Clayton MarslandReview by Tas, 22/02/2003 Strangely New order in style at parts, but it kinda works, if only let down by some very basic sounds. The powerful baseline is overlapped by some weak lead instruments, which is mainly one of the reasons why i rate this so low. The concept isn't that bad and the 80's idea in well visualised. Overall there just isn't enough highlights in the tune to maintain any interest for too long. |
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C64 Turrican 2 Summer Remix - arranged by Markus SieboldReview by Tas, 22/02/2003 A lovelly feel good bouncy and jolly remix from Markus Siebold (who incidentally wrote the original piece). Nice attacking powerful drums accompanies a jarre-esque lead and backing. It's a damn good version of a great sid. Sometimes however you just wish that markus brought out the lead into the open more, a niggly point tho to be honest. |
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Savage (Boom!Tsk!Fz!) - arranged by FeekZoidReview by putzi, 21/02/2003 Close to the original SID, and one of the remixes where the use of SID samples makes a lot of sense, it preserves the magic of the original. Niceclub-sounddrums, right balance of bass, simply perfect. The synth lines are singing! I love it! |
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Ocean Loader v4 mongoloid mix - arranged by dj waffelmeisterReview by beldin, 21/02/2003 The biggest drawback of this remix is, the chosen lead instrument is a pain to listen to, although the tune is only two and a half minutes long. I find the rest of the chosen instrumentation questionable, too. In addition to the lead, the dominant and monotonous drum'n'bass is a headache-guarantee. And I would prefer if I could enjoy more of the things in the background. The arranger should have put more emphasis on the background. |
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Blood money (Kicked miX) - arranged by THC FlatLineReview by beldin, 21/02/2003 Stuffed with a great selection of synth/electronic/SID sounds and modulations and offering an awesome recreation of the important lead, it is very good. Expect the sidtune on different and more capable equipment. It is a cover version, which is close, but different at the same time. For instance, unlike the SID version, it doesn't concentrate on filtered sounds and heavy ring-modulation. |
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Spy vs Spy - arranged by ScorpionReview by beldin, 21/02/2003 Only enjoyable at high volume because it doesn't consist of many voices or rich sounds. But be aware of a drum solo in the middle which takes away some of the flow (and fun). TheSpy vs. Spytheme is clearly recognizable, however, and recreated in a clever way with a matching accompany. Though, for a total of 3:06 it is quite repetitive, also in the second and better half. |
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Cybernoid 2 (Pede Cyber Mix) - arranged by DHSReview by beldin, 21/02/2003 Impressive production quality of this 6:35 long dance-remix with regard to quality of sounds and richness in sound. Even the stutter-rap at the beginning fits well. If I could suggest an improvement, I would replace the piano in the lead with a more obvious instrument. The piano is about the only thing that doesn't work perfectly and in the lead sounds unexpected. In the accompany it fits very good. |
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Creatures 2 (Infamous remix) - arranged by InfamousReview by beldin, 21/02/2003 If you're not familiar with the sidtune, base your expectations on sub-song #6 of the sidtune in HVSC. Neither the remix nor the sidtune have any nostalgic value for me. Hence I don't consider that in the overall rating.The remix has nothing special to offer. Bass, percussions and accompany are pretty monotonous and hence boring, but not bad. The overall arrangement doesn't trigger any emotions though. It lacks something like a theme, probably because the original sidtune is weak in this area, too. But nevertheless, the sidtune performs better, and its lead voices are more enjoyable the longer you listen to it. |
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Arabian Zoids (Themed Solo) - arranged by LarsecReview by Tas, 21/02/2003 This is a sublime piece of work from Larsec. I loved this tune right from the start, but it just gets better everytime i hear it. One of the most inventive remixes ever and so so very emotional to boot.This remix isn't your typical like for like approach as with many remixes you hear. Starting of slowly the track seems to give you a false sense of security, but it really kicks off at the 1:30 mark where female arabian vocals are added, which just enhances the feel more than ever. At 2:30 the tune evolves slowly bringing an electric guitar in and replacing the vocals as the tempo slowly increases. Adding more instruments and effects along the way, and it just keeps evolving as it goes on. It has everything a good musical ear should appreciate, mellow moments, attacking moments, and a massive amount of variety. Oh and it lasts just over 9 mins which is no bad thing as tracks like these can go on forever! Excellence in remixing and excellence in music! superb! |
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Jinks Rebound - arranged by Krister NielsenReview by Tas, 21/02/2003 Not overly different from the original (which also includes the original samples). it's another one of those nicey nicey tunes that replaces the sid sound and turns it into an amiga sounding mod.It's nice, but nothing more! |
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Ramparts (DnB Remix) - arranged by korrphReview by Tas, 21/02/2003 We've heard this style before… Write a simple tune and slam a few beats behind it, very boring and uninspirational. It does improve a bit as the remix goes on, but it just doesn't do anything to the ears.One of those songs that you get bored of very very easily. |
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Space Harrier (Cooksley vs Bach Mix) - arranged by Karl R PettersenReview by Tas, 21/02/2003 A strange little tune that is quite appealing in small doses. It's lively, but it's also quite bizarre. A very strange choice of instruments selected here; from harpsicord to a squeezed mouse full of helium. (what is that sound anyway).Tho very strange in nature it's quite entertaining. certainly made me smile a wee bit. |
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Sanx(ion) from the moment we kissed - arranged by J LofReview by Tas, 21/02/2003 There's alot of bad sanxion remixes about, and very few good ones. This version is one of those well, bad ones.It's noisy and over powering and adds far too much when simplicity would have been more the order of the day. Not to say it's really bad, it's just so boombastic and annoyingly overcrowded with effects and instruments. |
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