Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 91 - 120 out of 717 |
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Cooperation Demo (GURO Remix) - arranged by GUROГАГАReview by LaLa, 10/07/2024 The total lack of proper mixing is what kills this remix for me. For example, when at 0:48 the bass floats in, it just overpowers everything else. The instruments sound very dry, too, a bit more reverb would've helped. There's also a total lack of dynamics, every track just shouts at the same level throughout. |
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Lethargic - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 08/07/2024 Sometimes there's a tune that stays with you for days and days, and it doesn't let you go for whatever reason. I've been listening to this one for days now, and it's not letting me go. I don't know why. Maybe because it has the perfect combination of oldsk00l charm and a melancholic theme. And the flute-based break in the middle reminds me of 1970s whodunnit TV series… I can't explain why, but I am captivated by this remix. |
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The Stationary Ark - arranged by amoonReview by LaLa, 09/06/2024 Excellent concept done really well. From the whale songs to the Earth-based factoids (with a big nod towards Vangelis) it's just a really good, cohesive piece that also pays homage to the original TV series of the same title. And on top of it the tune would totally stand on its own even without the voiceovers. A wonderful piece, thanks for sharing it with us!
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Cauldron (Haunted Orchestra Remix) - arranged by amoonReview by LaLa, 22/05/2024 The creepiness factor in your instrument selection is definitely there, it creates the intended atmosphere. Problem is, this tune (and your arrangement of it) has lots of repetitive notes in it, and to make it sound less robotic, you either need instruments with several round-robin samples, or you need to introduce some subtle variations yourself (filtering, or other effects with an LFO). The thumps were also a good idea, but I find the sidechaining on it too strong, as it overpowers everything else. The strings give out a certain Stranger Things vibe to me, but again, they sound a bit too robotic. Overall, an ambitious endeavor, but I think this gem of an idea wasn't polished well enough. But I'm looking forward to more remixes from you! |
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Miami Vice - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 08/05/2024 The parts I like the best is where the vocal is added to the mix - I wish there was more of that! It sounds really deep with that female singer.As Eivind also mentioned it, this may not be a 1:1 cover, but it definitely conveys the spirit and the feeling of the original SID tune, and it does it really well.Also, just like the STIL mentions it, too, this is not exactly an original Martin Galway composition. The arpeggiated chord sequence that is the backbone of this tune, plus some other parts are covering Jan Hammer's tune for the Evan episode of Miami Vice ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3YIz84thzY Jan Hammer - Evan (YouTube link)]). But of course, Mr. Galway took Mr. Hammer's original idea and ran with it quite a bit further… |
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Shades - arranged by Tim ForsythReview by LaLa, 16/04/2024 For me it'll always be hard to top Hülsbeck's own 1991 remake of this tune from his same-named album, or Detert's slower paced version from the R64 v2 album, but this comes really darn close to those, especially since Tim put his own spin on this tune. So many nice touches here with carefully chosen instruments, and a wonderful arrangement to boot. Very nicely done, Tim! |
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Dignified - arranged by Rock & JLDReview by LaLa, 05/04/2024 How the heck has this classic Reyn tune never been remixed before?!? This is just great, lots of energy, excellent guitar work, perfect choice of style for the remix. |
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Ninja in a V8 (Last Ninja + Last V8, Fusion Remix) - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 19/03/2024 I give you lots of plus points for your creativity: this is a fun mashup of those famous game tunes! Unfortunately, this remix also suffers from some pain points: the mix sounds mostly mono; and there are some 'odd' choices of chord/bass selection here and there (e.g. @1:16 and @2:10); the instruments also sound a bit 'dated' (admittedly, it's hard to explain this one). But that Last Ninja return to base immediately vocoded speech cracks me up every time I listen to it! 😁 |
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Robocop 3 - Main Theme - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 03/03/2024 I think it's a well-arranged remix, especially for a newcomer. Although sounds like you've been remixing for quite a while now. 🙂Your choice of instrumentation sounds pretty solid. I think the mix lacks some punchiness, though. It also sounds rather mono, with most instruments crowding in the center, and only some reverb/echo spreading into the side channels. |
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Ala Gal - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 01/03/2024 The solo violin and cello (?) in the intro both sound very nice, I think you did the best you could with the sample libraries you have. The operatic singer in the last section also sounds wonderful. But I do have an issue with the electric guitar lead in the middle (from about 2:10): it just sounds a bit too thin and too soft. Otherwise, it's a beautiful arrangement with beautiful mixing, well done! |
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Bruce Lee - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 28/02/2024 Another simplistic arrangement from Vandahlia, this time with a more Asian leaning instrumentation. But the instruments sound rather flat - they need more dynamism, more articulation, more expression - they need a human touch. The remix sounds too much like it was done by the numbers. |
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Ballblazer - Song of the Grid - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 27/02/2024 The instrumentation is pointedly simple, but it works. The arpeggios sound a bit too sharp, I wish they were more subdued. The problem with the simplistic and relatively unvaried instrumentation is that there's only so much a listener could take of it. I think that's the main reason why I feel this tune is 'too long'. But kudos for extending this short SID into a 7 minute piece, I think your arranging skills show a lot of promise. |
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The Magic Writer - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 07/02/2024 I am in total awe. Both by the quantity, but especially by the quality of your remixes. How you managed to create this wonderfully emotional piece out of a 1:22 long SID tune is beyond me. Just amazing. That opening with the muted trumpet - so delicate, so gentle. And when the singer comes in - wow. And it just builds up from there. I really do enjoy this, and pretty much all the rest of your work, too. Thank you for sharing your art with us! The world is richer now because of you. |
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X98 - arranged by BeeZerkReview by LaLa, 21/01/2024 It takes guts to even attempt to remix this SID tune, which is one of the best composed tunes ever (not just among SIDs, but in general). You managed to lift it up and 'modernize' it with a sonic landscape that's piercing yet melancholic, just like the original. The arrangement is easily recognizable, yet fresh and uniquely yours. The more I listen to this, the more I like it. |
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Battle Squadron - HiScore (Encore500) - arranged by TomskReview by LaLa, 19/01/2024 A uniquely elegiac remix that is becoming Tomsk's signature style. Absolutely wonderful and so full of emotions! The instrumentation is a skillful combination of violins, strings, guitars, and drums (and probably a bunch of other instruments, too), and the overall arrangement has a wonderful arc to it. So well done, I really enjoy it! |
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Occ-San-Geen (Encore500) - arranged by FirefoxReview by LaLa, 17/01/2024 Occ-my-god! What a great uptempo, dancey, staccato-heavy remix! It sounds like a modern chiptune mixed with heavy Italo disco and it really takes me back. Fantastic! |
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Rallye Master (Encore500) - arranged by Romeo KnightReview by LaLa, 15/01/2024 Personally, I think the original Rallye Master Obarski tune is a bit uninspiring (ducks hail of rotten tomatoes thrown his way…), but Romeo Knight makes the most out of the material with a genius idea: make it into a Depeche Mode pastiche! It's spot on! Really well done, the early 80s style is instantly recognizable. |
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Leander - Title (Encore500) - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 15/01/2024 The original one is fairly cinematic, too, so it's a perfect fit for that special electronic-cinematic treatment that only Glyn can provide. He is in full force here commanding a spectrum of instrumentation that several Hollywood music producers would be envious of. Just majestic! |
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Amberstar - Title (Encore500) - arranged by Jogeir LiljedahlReview by LaLa, 15/01/2024 OMG, that intro sends chills down my spine! A great emotional piece. My only wish is that the vocal was featured more than just in the intro. |
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Myth - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 10/01/2024 I am going to be a party pooper here and bring this remix down a notch. It sounds great, but it also sounds like you threw everything but the kitchen sink at it, and as a result, artistically it's all over the place, and doesn't sound very cohesive to me.The individual instruments all sound amazing, you made them bring all their fitting articulations to the table, from the trumpet to the solo singer.But. 😁I also felt like I should've kept a live instrument count on this track as it progressed. Solo trumpet? Check. Big mixed choir? Check. Electric guitar? Check. Solo violin? Check. Big brass? Check. Acoustic guitar? Check. Female choir? Check. Gated synth bass? Check. Orchestral strings? Check. Solo female singer? Check… It's like you went down the list of all things that make something sound epic and cinematic and you decided to check all the boxes. When I first heard this remix it made my head spin! I am getting used to it as I listen to it more and more, but still…Again, from a purely sonic perspective, the individual sections all sound fantastic. The entire tune is mixed to perfection. But I think it's just trying to cram way too much into 4 and a half minutes. |
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Delta (live at The Church for Transmission 64) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 28/12/2023 Yawn, yet another remix of Delta?!?… Just kidding! 😀I absolutely adore the heavy use of the organ. (Hmm, an organ in The Church? Whoever heard of such a… Oh, I get it! Nice touch, Reyn! 😜)I feel like this could've easily gone double the length, Reyn's improv skills are just that good. |
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Bombo (live at The Church for Transmission 64) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 28/12/2023 Folks, please, keep in mind that the original SID tune is barely over 2 minutes long, and Reyn doesn't even get to the end of his intro before the 3 minute mark in this remix… Reyn's wide spectrum of musical talent is in full display here. Just listen and be in awe, or watch the video of it from the Transmission64 concert and be even more in awe - because this is all played and mixed live! |
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Parallax (live at The Church for Transmission 64) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 28/12/2023 Amazing buildup into a full-blown symphony of sounds. But to me the most favorite part of this remix is the elongated outro - total mic-drop moment, like Reyn is OUT! It sounded absolutely mind-blowing at Transmission64, and still sounds just 🤯! |
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Tiger Mission (liveThe Church for Transmission 64) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 28/12/2023 What a wonderful piano improv over the beat of the original! You can feel it's from the heart… |
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Green Beret (live at The Church Transmission 64) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 14/12/2023 Massive musical talent in full display here.I absolutely adore the use of organ sound in the intro! And then it just keeps building up and building up in a long, amazing crescendo, ultimately developing into an epic piece.When I first heard this entire concert while attending Transmissions64 online, I was completely mesmerized. Actually, that's not even the right word. The only other time I felt similarly is when I attended the Mythodea concert by Vangelis in person in Athens. I felt completely awestruck in the presence of a massive musical talent, overwhelmed and completely swept away by the moment we are all shared together with him. And during Reyn's performance I felt the same way again.If you haven't, yet, do yourself a favor and watch his entire performance that he linked in the video here. His tributes to Johannes Bjerregaard make me cry every single time I watch it. And I watched this video a LOT since it was first published.I hope, Reyn, that you'll consider uploading the other pieces from your live T64 performance to RKO, too.Thank you, Reyn, for sharing these wonderful moments with us! |
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Mystery (Abyss Game 2) - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 12/12/2023 Superb! The quality of the instruments is absolutely top-notch, from the violin to the choir. I love the arrangement, too, it carries sooo much emotion! And I'm always in awe in the quality of your mixing. Every note has its place here, every phrase tells us something, every passage evokes deep feelings. Again: superb! |
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Falcon Tn - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 04/12/2023 How the heck is this the first remix of this popular tune!?! Funkiness is dialed up to the max in this one, really good! The brass section is especially alive here, I like the echo on it. I wish the synth lead sounds were thicker, though (or replaced with a sax), they kinda get lost in all the funkiness. But otherwise, it's very, very enjoyable. |
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Nebulas - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 01/12/2023 I've been listening to this remix a lot lately. And I mean, a LOT. It's a wonderful melancholic piece. You captured the haunting beauty of the melody line perfectly, complemented by a selection of sounds that work together in great harmony, all mixed together flawlessly. Great work, I really, really do enjoy it! |
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Commando - arranged by Instant RemedyReview by LaLa, 22/11/2023 [i]Review in 2023.[/i]As many have pointed it out over the decades, this remix makes heavy use of the original SID as-is, Still, I think that's what makes it so powerful: the strong sense of nostalgia that those sounds and musical phrases evoke. The first time I ever heard this remix was at one of the early BIT Live events in a club setting - and in that environment, it was an absolute blast to listen to. I could also knock it for what this remix isn't, but instead, I choose to enjoy it for what it is: a highly danceable version of a classic and legendary Rob Hubbard SID tune (which, let's not forget, is a remix itself). |
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Outcheesed (Le Petit Chevre) - arranged by WobblerReview by LaLa, 20/11/2023 I'll be honest: I don't why, but I really dig this remix! Just the right amount of nostalgic 8-bit arpeggios mixed with modern production and an excellent arrangement, not to mention the clean mix. One of my insta-favorites from the BIT Live 2023 Remix Compo. I just keep playing it over and over and over… |
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