Reviews by Waz |
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Displaying Reviews 1 - 27 out of 27 |
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Tetris (C64 Orchestral Mix) - arranged by Bastian DornbachReview by Waz, 09/02/2024 To even attempt the whole 25 minutes plus of Tetris is a monumental effort to start with, never mind the execution. There's lots of well balanced progression and development as the tune builds and builds, and even though some of the instrument choices may not be everyone's cup of tea, there's no doubt that the feeling of the original SID is there in abundance, and for me, that's the most important thing - it's all there with feeling and heart. The rise and fall of the SID backing instrument is here as the whole thing moves along. There's plenty of film score sounds here, straight out of the likes of Philip Glass, Ennio Morricone et al. It's also testament to the way that the crescendos build from 17 minutes in that there's attention to detail to make not ust a 1:1 cover of the whole thing, but add to much more too. I'm certainly looking forward to what Bastian can do in the future, and this is a very good start indeed. |
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Sigma Seven - Just a touch of Jazz - arranged by 0supereg0Review by Waz, 25/10/2023 It's a fairly good effort to do something different with this. But I do think there's a little bit too much in the way of jazz noodling with a Kenny G styled saxophone which gets in the way of the main lead being given the room to flow and be the star of the show - which may need a mixing tweak to get that up front. It could also do with being a tad shorter to make it sound more punchier, as the original isn't that long to begin with. As Louis Balfour would say in Jazz Club - Niiiiiiiiiiice. |
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Hades Nebula (Quinque annis post) - arranged by LaLaReview by Waz, 24/10/2023 If you wanted John Carpenter to do a space themed horror with the soundtrack based on a Ben Daglish under-rated tune, then this is what you're looking for. Delightfully cinematic, with beautiful use of instruments, and attention to detail means each nuance is carefully placed. |
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Complications - (E500 Funky Soul Mix) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by Waz, 24/10/2023 Take one of my favourite demo tunes composed by Tomas Danko (halcyon memories of the Mutant Refridgerator part of one demo in particular) and give it plenty of funky soul and a gorgeous vibe, and you have an impressive and excellent reworking. Attention to detail has been paid throughout so that the instrument placement is just right, nothing is wasted. And most crucially of all, the feel is all there, it has that in spades. |
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Out of Nothing (feat. Atom Guitar) - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by Waz, 27/07/2023 Thoroughly enjoyable, especially with the flute giving way to the guitar. And definitely we need people to appreciate the late Kjell's music a lot more - hugely under-rated in my view. So something to do him justice (as this does, and rocks pretty hard) is welcome. The only thing I'd probably change a little is the middle section - it maybe needs a litlte more definition, but does also break up the tune nicely too. Rock on. |
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Tristesse - arranged by Dr FutureReview by Waz, 27/07/2023 I would have given this higher, but even though it sounds fine, this remix has all the emotion of DRAX's original piece torn out of it. Only when the SID lead comes back in does that emotion come back (because that's something DRAX was always superb at). It doesn't cut it for me - the guitar is nice enough but definitely feels like it's also too long compared to the original. A more cut down version may have worked better in this instance. |
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Shogun - arranged by AarrowReview by Waz, 27/07/2023 Potential here for definite, a little spoilt by too much reverb being here. There's actually a nice use of some Oriental instruments but they're a little buried underneath, and need to be igven the time to shine - as in fact it does later in the mix. Maybe also it needs a little shortening by say 30-60 seconds, but definite potential - and kudos for picking a lesser known composer also. |
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Gerry the Germ (tune 2) - arranged by Tim ForsythReview by Waz, 27/07/2023 How this got a mere 6th in the Arok Party competition, I don't know. Seriously. I really enjoy the indie rock style of this one, and definitely with the guitar cranked up to Britpop levels, it definitely shows something different for this tune as well, and makes for a very enjoyable listen. The only thing I would possibly look at is a possible change of the long lead at the start of the verse, but apart from that, an admirable effort. |
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Kikstart II remix - arranged by Nadin0xD400Review by Waz, 27/07/2023 Whilst I can see the potential here for me (and bear in mind I'm a big fan of Shaun Southern games), and that there's most of the feel of the original, for me it doesn't quite get it right - the drums do attempt to give it a faster pace than the original but somehow works against the other instruments in the mix mix, meaning it feels a little lost. Should it have won the Arok Party competition in my view? No. Is it enjoyable to listen to? Initially yes, but does grate a bit after a while. That all said, there is potential for Naxin0xD400 to go on to greater things and definitely that should be encouraged and nutured to become even better. There is promise here definitely. |
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Krakout - arranged by SoundLogicReview by Waz, 31/01/2023 Nice effort to try and do something playful here with Krakout. If anything, it needed to be a little more off the wall, in the true style of Ben Daglish himself. It does work nicely and there's some good thought gone into this. Definitely worth a listen. |
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Sweet - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by Waz, 09/11/2022 What a heartfelt and emotional piece this is. It has all the feeling of the original intact and is such a lovely tribute to the sadly missed Johannes Bjerregaard. It's haunting, it's dark and yet powerfully melodic at the same time with so much emotion. It's hard to describe, but there's just so many wonderful moments to this remix. |
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Green Beret Blues - arranged by Marcel DonnéReview by Waz, 29/09/2022 Very Bladerunner-esque and some gorgeous atmosphere in this one. It takes all the best moments of the original and gives them room to breathe, without losing its feel either. |
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The Last V8 (Metal Tribute) - arranged by XxDUSTYxXReview by Waz, 07/09/2022 Very enjoyable and plenty of metal as you drive along with the most broken C64 game controls ever. It's very well made and just a little of the feel is lost for me, but kicks hard anyway. Definitely a sign of greater things to come later (see the 2020 Tusker rework!) |
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Fist2 - The Legend Continues (feat. Vaggelis) - arranged by XxDUSTYxXReview by Waz, 07/09/2022 You want a hard rock and metal section for Fist II? Well, look no further. It's as if Neil Brennan himself reformed his band and played it this way. Thoroughly enjoyable and keeping the spirit of the SID intact too. |
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Hawkeye - arranged by Tony Fluke73 WirenReview by Waz, 15/02/2022 Nice that it's a mix of live performances and put together well. The immediacy of that definitely shows. There's definitely room for this to develop more and I'm sure we'd like to hear more from this remixer. Good effort. |
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Ghosts 'n Goblins - arranged by Emanuele Siward PallozziReview by Waz, 15/02/2022 Like the guitar on this on the main part, it adds to the overall metal sounding dark feel. The organ lead with that somehow just sounds a little weaker and doesn't quite work for me (but I get the intention of it nonetheless) It's a promising start for a newcomer, and the arrangement and feel is definitely there, so kudos for that. |
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Sanxion (Don't Fall Asleep) - arranged by WobblerReview by Waz, 15/02/2022 Very downbeat in its style, but that also offers the substance too. It's a very different take on the classic, and for that it does deserve praise for being out there and daring to be different. In fact, the only reason for me not giving it red overall is that there's no ambient nod to the middle section of the original - just the opening and ending hooks. |
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'Clever Music' Medley - arranged by TomskReview by Waz, 15/02/2022 Although the Clever Music originals are relatively short, it made perfect sense to put them into a medley with a feel of late 1970s rock about it. From the Kenny G inspired saxophone to the opening that drops a gentle nod to Hotel California, there's a real essence of reflection instead of more melancholy, and works well for it. Sonically, there's plenty of lovely instruments that work well together and you can tell that love and care has been taken to ensure it's all well crafted with suitable nods to the SID originals to maintain that all important feel. An excellent remix all round. |
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Dragon's Lair II - subtune 4 (Renaissance prelude) - arranged by Fabio MarinelliReview by Waz, 23/02/2021 Although a very nice idea to carry out a very Renaissance era theme to this Dragon's Lair II, there's just the feeling itself that seems to be lacking. It needs some more emotion, possibly a crescendo in parts to heighten the suspense. The idea is absolutely the right one to do and with more care this would be rather delightful, but it falls short unfortunately. |
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Tusker - 03 - Metal Tribute (2020 Rework) - arranged by XxDUSTYxXReview by Waz, 10/09/2020 If the likes of Slayer or Obituary were to take on Tusker, this is pretty much how it would sound. Double bass drum for the absolute win. |
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Flimbos Quest (Chillout mix) - arranged by Doctorrus PetrixussReview by Waz, 18/07/2016 It does what it says on the tin. However it may seem a little too on the simple and chilled side for some. Not sure if the handclaps in the second part add anything, but some may like them. |
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Grand Prix Circuit (Medley Mix) - arranged by MakkeReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 I love the orignal by Kris Hatlelid, so here was me hoping. The sampled drums of the original SID start it off, to give away to a rousing rock number, that really gives you enough passion to kick some ass. Maybe the guitars needed to be a little dirtier, but it's the right way to do it. The organ bit that shares the lead doesn't quite cut it, but it's hard to get that right anyway and he did a bloody good effort. It blends nicely into the second part of the medley (subtune 2) and gives you that feeling you're in some heavy metal concert medley, with the guitars kicking in nicely. Now, it also blends nicely into the last part of the medley, which technically although a cover, is done pretty well. Nice to see a tune treated in this way and rocking. |
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Cybernoid (Unknown Ambient Level Mix) - arranged by FTCReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 Nice ambient piece starts to kick in, reminding me a lot of those under the sea type TV documentaries that you see on television. All very nice, and all very nice sounding too, but you can't really recognise the cover parts of Cybernoid. The instruments that actualy make it sound like the C64 are so low down in the mix that you can't really hear them too well in parts. It's a very very loose cover indeed, probably too loose in places for it to be justified as a C64 mix in the first part. FTC must have realised it himself as about half way through there's a part that sounds much more C64-like that breaks up the ambience. However, overall I'm just not sure about this one. On the one hand, it's a different idea and I applaud him for that. On the other, I'm not sure whether it actually works best as a C64 mix or as a standalone piece of music in its own right. |
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Last Ninja - The Wilderness (dance mix) - arranged by Marcus GeelnardReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 Now, the only good remix of any Last Ninja tune in the last year was Sonic Wanderer's, and that's now the standard. So, what about this? Well, there sounds suspiciously big chunks of the SID in there, and if it isn't, it's close. Although I appreciate the faster speed change, in reality it doesn't do anything for me other than make it easier for the remixer to create a dance mix out of. Bit of a cop-out, that. It's not bad, and it flows pretty well, and the instruments are okay, even if it _doesn't_ flow exactly in the same way the original does. I'm not sure though if I could really stomach another mix of this for much longer than one listen, unlike with Sonic Wanderer's one. |
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Shape - arranged by LManReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 Well, it's not quite on a par with Reyn, but if Reyn hadn't have done his version this would have been the best remix of it. It's really nice and catchy with a lead that sounds very very like the C64 version (nice synth work if it's not a C64). There's again a nice feeling of space, and even if the bass isn't my cup of tea, I'm sure it will be a lot of others'. There's even a bit of an electric guitar sounding instrument coming in later on which actually does work in relation to the rest of the tune. In short, damn good. |
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Drive! - arranged by Juha KaunistoReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 Great remix of great PRI tune, with good use of guitars and sensible use of own ideas to make the tune sound longer than it should be without ruining it. It develops nicely, there's enough freedom for the guitars to really go for it, and definitely you could drive you car with this in the background. Great stuff from Juha, again. |
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720 Degrees (Still Loading) - arranged by Juha KaunistoReview by Waz, 10/03/2004 When I used to play 720 degrees down the arcades, I used to really enjoy the loud guitar music pumping from the cabinet. Here Juha has taken all the best elements of one of the main themes, added some crunching real guitars, which always sound much better when played live, and a distorted vocal about how long it takes the tape to load.For those who complain it's too short, that's the whole point! Punk style tunes are meant to be this way, and it's been arranged with a lot of care and with those who enjoyed the original game in mind. Quite simply, thoroughly fun and enjoyable. |
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