Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 451 - 480 out of 630 |
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Way of the Exploding Fist (Tune2) - arranged by Kent WalldénReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Starts out like any regular WotF cover: very oriental in nature, ambient, serene. Then at around 1:20 more drums and a dancey bass kick in and the ambience is gone, but it actually works out quite nicely as they blend into the overall structure well. I think this is a very good high quality remix, if somewhat unorthodox in its approach. |
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Black Lamp subtune 1 (codename whistler) - arranged by MahoneyReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I'm not sure how to categorize this remix: I think it's a cross between a symphonic piece and good old Western-style music a la Morricone (whistling plus harmonicas - what else can it be? . Doesn't take itself very seriously, but not in a sarcastic, rather in a joyful way. It's bound to cheer you up! I'm impressed by the quality of this remix, but I don't quite agree with the arrangement all the time. |
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Great Giana Sisters (Deep Tunnel Remix) - arranged by RadiuzReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 In contrast to Dr. Future's version, this is a fast-paced dance version of the same Hülsbeck tune. Maybe the style is not a very original one, but it's done fairly well and is definitely danceable. |
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Noisy Pillars (Final 80s drummachine remake) - arranged by Jarno BeumerReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I think the bass actually sounds better in this one, but I liked the lead better in the2002 remake. Jarno needs to combine the best of his two mixes to create a better one. |
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Crown (Orchestral Menace Edit) - arranged by Markus SchneiderReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 It starts with some moody harps but it continues with more carefully selected wind instruments. It then evolves into a verymasculinetheme that is alternated with peaceful solos, creating a sort of emotional roller-coaster ride in just 3 minutes. Markus shows some pretty impressive mastery of the symphonic domain here, even though at times his piece suffers from too synthy instruments. But he did the best he could with what he had and the result is awe-inspiring. |
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Last Ninja 2 (Mansion in-game) - arranged by Jon WellsReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This remix seems to have everything: it's a full and complete cover of the original SID, the instruments radiate a sort of 80's synth-feel… But somehow the overall feeling of this cover is not as good as the sum of its parts. There are bits and pieces of it that are pretty awesome (like that stabbing bass in the opening minute, that pad sound that is a cross between a choir and a flute, that nice break in the middle, etc.), but at times it sounds cheap and kitschy, which is unfortunate. |
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Deflektor (SKA-flector mix) - arranged by Nova89Review by LaLa, 04/02/2003 In spirit it's similar to Reyn's superb version (available onNexus 6581) with acoustic instruments and such, but it's thinner and less developed. Not a bad arrangement at all, but it sounds like it could've used more work. Especially that ugly bridge section in the middle. But I really like the guitar licks featured in it. |
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Crazy Comets (Komet Non-Stop mix) - arranged by MakkeReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This is a bloody awesome cover in the style of Kraftwerk, more specificly their Electric Café album! Complete with the typical minimalistic drums, the minimalistic music structure - and even singing! It is really good, and although I think the singing could've been moreroboticand the lead sound a bit more Kraftwerky, all in all, it's one very good piece of work. |
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Follow Me (SunSample 3 Mix) - arranged by DHSReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Although the novelty value of SID remixes with lyrics probably wore off by now, I still find them rather interesting. Especially this one - pay close attention to the singing. I quite like its lyrics!Follow me back in time! |
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Last Ninja Remix - Loading Theme - arranged by SolknightReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 A rare remix from an HVSC Crew member (Andreas and myself also tried remixing SID tunes). He chose one of my favorite LN tunes and did a respectable job of bringing it to a more modern sound environment. I like the choice of sax (?) for the lead, but unfortunately some of the slides seem to drift off-key at times. This cover would sound even better with a purely acoustic treatment. |
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M.U.L.E. (Aerobics in the jungle mix) - arranged by MahoneyReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I am a bit mystified about why people rate this tune so high. It's a mixed salad of jungle samples, an electronic lead, some samples from Jarre's Zoolook, and even a female a capella performance mixed with males shoutingHey!found its way into this remix. Sure, it's a quality recording, it sounds like a great production, it's even funny at times, but its musical value is not exactly outstanding. |
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Spy vs Spy (electrormx) - arranged by O-FiREReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 A very nice chill-out cover. Sometimes keeping it simple is better than overcomplicating it. |
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Firelord - Symphonic - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This is one of the best (if not *the* best) symphonic covers I've ever downloaded from RKO! This is probably the closest one can get to that orchestral sound without actually hiring one to perform a tune. It also has a soundtrack feel to it, probably because of the fast moodswings that is typical of film scores. I don't know how much Glyn worked on this tune, but it was sure well worth it. The only enhancement I can think of for this tune is a better placement of the various sections of thevirtual orchestrain the stereo space - everything seems to come from the middle, which is not realistic. But that is just splitting hair over this awesome work! |
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Indiana Jones (Non Vocal Ethno Revenge) - arranged by Thomas Detert offlineReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This is basically the same thing as the first version, but I like this one a bit less due to the missing vocals which give life to and spice up the other version. Still sounds bloody awesome to me. |
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Indiana Jones (Ethno Revenge) - arranged by Thomas Detert offlineReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Reminds me a lot, a _LOT_ to the style of Deep Forest - and it is fantastic! Although I do question its place on RKO: after all, it is a remix of the Indiana Jones theme.😉 (But then where should we stop: what about Delta, Zoids and others that are also covers of covers? …) Anyway, this remix is bloody awesome and you have to be deaf not to notice that. |
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Hades Nebula - arranged by Thomas HillebrandtReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This cover has lots of potential, unfortunately most of it is not used fully. The ambience it tries to create is a good idea, but is disturbed by brushy drums - those should've been marching drums, anyway. The cheesy bass further destroys the ambience. Again, not bad, but could've been a lot better. |
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Ducks Ahoy! - arranged by Stello DoussisReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This is superb, it's really, really awesome! It may be short, but it's very effective at capturing the feel of those merry-go-round tunes at fairs! My only problem with it: it cuts off abruptly. (And to overcome its shortness, play it twice. |
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Cybernoid (for hammond organ) - arranged by plasm303Review by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I don't think most SID fans can appreciate how authentic this cover is: Leslie effects, cheesy drums, electronic sounds generated by tubes - it's a typical Hammond organ! Very good! (My Dad is a big fan of these beasts, he has a similar electronic organ, so I know exactly why this cover is spot on.😉 |
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Pooyan (subtune 1) - arranged by WolkReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This is a happy little tune! I can easily imagine it in a children's educational TV program, where it'd be a favorite for sure. |
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Cauldron - arranged by RezistahReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 This tune sets a _very_ scary mood - which is quite appropriate for Cauldron. If this remix was a movie, I would be really frightened now! Highly recommended to be played at full volume on Halloween to scare off trick-or- treating kids (so you can keep the candy for yourself, moohahhah!). |
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Last Ninja III (qso-mix) - arranged by CirdanReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 A bit of a mixture of styles, both oriental ambient and pop, and it features some nicely selected instruments. A unique mix that works very well. I am also impressed by its production. |
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Last Ninja 2 - Central Park (unfinished rock mix) - arranged by Isaac AbrahamReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Who is this guy? This is not bad at all! It may be unfinished, but it sounds pretty good to me even in its current form. |
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Boulder Dash (Funky Pebbles) - arranged by RauliReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 The famous little tune played (well, sequenced) on an acoustic guitar - I quite like it! Sounds surprisingly good. |
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Hardcore Hubbard Mix - arranged by Jogeir LiljedahlReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I find the rhythm section somewhat of a yawn, dare I say, lackluster, but that is my only gripe about this remix: awesome guitaring (performed by Øyvind Vik) and the great arrangement of Hubbard classics more than make up for it. This is a great trip to nostalgia-land! |
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Thrust - arranged by JBReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 F---ing awesome! Unusual style for Thrust done to perfection with lots of fantastic improvisations (on piano, on sax - you name it) that fit in seamlessly. This tune would not be out of place on Reyn Ouwehand's Nexus album. Absolutely superb! Two thumbs up! My only problem is that my vocabulary doesn't have enough superlatives to describe this remix… |
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Lightforce (Unstable Asteroid Mix) - arranged by Rob SteptoeReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Some interesting new twists on this oft-remixed tune make this cover worthy of download. Like the drumless break. Like the piano and the stringstalkingto each other. |
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Lightforce 2002 - arranged by Allister BrimbleReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Was this uploaded just recently? Because I have the exact same remix on one of my RKO CDs and it's dated 2000. Sept. 3… If you haven't heard it, yet, you should: it's a very good cover that's faithful to the original. |
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Wizball - arranged by SlumgudReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 A fairly unique take on this oft-remixed tune - I quite like it. I find that bit raspy analog lead captivating for some reason. |
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Paperboy (R&B) - arranged by Jonathon StrikerReview by LaLa, 04/02/2003 I am starting to like this Striker dude! Another nice style that is not represented very often on RKO. And it's not just the style that's good in this cover. Well done! |
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Lightforce - arranged by Puffy64Review by LaLa, 04/02/2003 Usual high-quality stuff from Puffy, this time with what sounds like quite a lot of improvisational parts, which makes it verypersonal. Has a great flow to it and despite the monotone style of the original, Puffy manages to keep it interesting throughout (although he did shorten it). This is the kind of stuff RKO was created for! |
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