Reviews by LaLa |
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Zoom (NecroPolo C64 Hypercharger remix) - arranged by NecroPoloReview by LaLa, 26/10/2018 Loved it the first time I heard it at Árok Party 2018! Then I was thrilled that we were able to include it in the Johannes Bjerregaard charity album. And I am very delighted it is now available on RKO, too. It's an amazing remix of a much underrated JB tune. It has, of course, received proper NecroPolo treatment with overdriven and distorted sounds, containing so much SID-caffeine that it pumps me up every time I listen to it. ROC=K ON, C=ommodore!!! |
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Monty on the Run (rockmetal cover) - arranged by Vaggelis PapadopoulosReview by LaLa, 13/10/2018 I encouraged Vaggelis in a YT comment to upload his remix here, too - and I'm glad he did! What I really like in this remix is that he actually plays every single note of the original on his guitar: the devilishly fast runs, the slides, the arpeggiated non-melodic effects - I'm in awe of his technique! |
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Nemesis The Warlock - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 17/07/2018 Opens with a very interesting combination of a choir and rough electronica, and later on it sprinkles it with some cinematic orchestra. It all builds up to a crescendo, which is suddenly interrupted by acoustic guitars. Then it resumes the more bombastic style, but we never really get a resolution out of it. Instead the piece just… ends. I think a bit more cohesion in style would've helped tremendously. |
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Last Ninja (Level 5 The Palace) - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 17/07/2018 I am very confused by this remix. Starts out in a very nice, serene oriental style. But that lasts only until about a minute a half when there's an inexplicable change in tone and style to more aggressive electronica. Then I get confused even further when at around 2 minutes the guitars appear. What? Why? By this time the opening oriental style completely disappears in the background. And then all this is capped by the original SID towards the end. Umm, okay… Overall, this tune has all the hallmarks of a decent production, but the minute-by-minute stylistic changes make my head spin. |
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Cybernoid II - Title (Enhanced) - arranged by MusicWizardReview by LaLa, 12/07/2018 The notes are there, the arrangement is fairly faithful to the original, but it just sounds flat and emotionless. The electric guitar and the bass are both rather unexciting, for example. Needs more variation, better mixing, more vibrato, more effects… anything to make it sound more exciting. |
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Ace II - arranged by Philip Bak offlineReview by LaLa, 04/07/2018 I am somewhat conflicted by this remix. On one hand it has a high level of craftsmanship, showcasing many things (instrumentation, effects, breaks, etc.) modern professional productions tend to have. On the other hand, it feels to me like an ambitious project that falls short of delivering all the goods, especially when it comes to the arrangement. For example: awesome intro, it really got me going! But after the quick break at 0:35 it just continues on in the same style - I sort of expected an explosion of sound at that point. In fact, at 0:56 it adds some brass that sounds cheesy to me. But I kept waiting and hoping - until about 1:30 into the tune when I finally realized this just won't evolve any further. Which is a pity. What's there is unquestionably solid and enjoyable. Its style frequently reminds me of The Alan Parsons Project. But even after listening to it several times, in the back of my mind I just keep wondering: this could've been so much more… |
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Phantoms Of The Asteroid (No Bass In Space) - arranged by WobblerReview by LaLa, 21/04/2018 Lots of very nice touches here: 1) great use of the choir, 2) really like that robotic-vocoder sound effect that can be heard occasionally, 3) the variations starting at 1:44, 4) the solid rhythm and bass track throughout. Some stuff I am not fond of: 1) the thin lead from 1:19, 2) the arrangement becomes a bit repetitive as the tune progresses. Overall, it's obvious a lot of time was spent on this beauty, definitely a keeper! |
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Rolands Ratrace (80s Disco Remix) - arranged by Rat DistrictReview by LaLa, 30/03/2018 Strap yourself in for a 2+ minute intro before you hear a single note of Roland's Ratrace, but it's all in glorious synthwave style, which is all the rage today, and since I'm a sucker for those (with all their 80s nostalgic syrupiness), this put a big smile on my face. |
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Gyroscope - arranged by Gabriele TripoliReview by LaLa, 23/03/2018 First off, I think the title of this remix should be corrected: this is a remix of Jeroen Tel's Eliminator subtune #2. Yes, that one is based on Gyroscope, too, but it continues the melody line - which this remix does, too, and in the same way. As for the contents of this remix, the kick drum is way overpowering. Compress it or at least soften it in the mix. The choice of instruments is also extreme: lots of high-end, lots of low-end, almost nothing in the middle. Also, there's no ending - the tune just stops abruptly. |
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Spellbound - arranged by ManoReview by LaLa, 03/03/2018 Very original for a Spellbound remix! Its style is a mashup between flamenco, Caribbean pirate, and a bit of Mexican mariachi, but in high-quality and in good taste. Really, really good job, Mano! |
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International Karate Part I (Synthwave Remix) - arranged by Strange DaysReview by LaLa, 16/02/2018 It's a nice retrofuturustic treatment of Hubbard's track. The mix heavily favors the high-end throughout, which bothers me a bit. The arrangement really gets going after the full set of drums come in at 1:53, that got my hopes up high. However, the chords at 2:46 sound odd to me, both in texture and pitch, and they broke the illusion a bit. The entire track reminds me a lot of Tangerine Dream's albums from the 80s, which I think is the style Strange Days was actually going for. Nicely done! |
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Mission of Mercy (Film Score) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 10/01/2018 It's always a treat to listen to a SID composer's own remake of his old tune - and this one goes way beyond being just a treat! Even without yourcue-list, the music here clearly tells a whole story, and it is, indeed, very cinematic - from the melancholic intro through the quiet but nervous anticipation in the middle to the cheerful ending. The introduction of the harpsichord (or dulcimer?) at 1:21 is an unusual and rather unique touch. I quite like it! This is a memorable arrangement for sure. Its only fault is the sudden ending - sounds like there was more to come, but it was faded out… |
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Auf Wiedersehen Monty & Commando - arranged by Jeroen TelReview by LaLa, 01/12/2017 For aNewcomerthis Jeroen guy sounds pretty good to me. Not bad for a first remix, not bad, sir! … Just kidding! 😃 Bow to the master! Bow to the master! |
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Artillery (demo music) - arranged by MRTReview by LaLa, 13/06/2017 Wonderfully arranged, skillfully instrumented, and superbly mixed (really clean and straightforward mix!). Sure, the sax could've had some more emotion put into it, but it sounds really good as is. I only wish this remix contained the beautiful main melody of the original even more. |
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Supremacy (Overprime mix) - arranged by SIDNIFYReview by LaLa, 20/04/2017 For me it's impossible to listen to this at anything but full blast. Impeccably arranged, superbly executed. The break at 3:44 is just brilliant. If there's one tiny fault with this remix is that the choir/singing towards the end is barely audible. Other than that, amazing, amazing stuff! You guys have more SID remixes lurking on your SoundCloud page, so please, upload those to RKO, too, don't be shy! 😊 |
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Cybernoid 2 Theme (Spacesynth remix) - arranged by fegolhuzzReview by LaLa, 31/03/2017 It definitely has all the sonic signatures of a classic 80s-90s italo disco song. However, I feel like the arrangement never really gets going. For example, after the great build-up of the intro it switches to a quieter sequence at 1:04 - somewhat of a letdown. It builds that one up, but then there's another switch at 2:10, and then yet another at 2:42. Because of all these breaks the tune doesn't feel as high-energy as I think it should. But don't take me wrong, I still like it a lot. 😉 |
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Overlame - arranged by MRTReview by LaLa, 21/03/2017 I usually don't comment on tunes that remix SIDs I am not familiar with, but I just had to make an exception in this case. The mix is so buttery smooth, the instrument selection is right on the money, the arrangement is pretty clever (esp. the extended intro)… This entire remix is a finely crafted piece. I admire its beauty, and I appreciate the effort and talent that was poured into it. |
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Nemesis the Warlock - arranged by XenobiozReview by LaLa, 23/08/2016 Several problems here: the arrangement tries to be orchestral, but the individual instruments are not played the way a real orchestra would (the strings are especially cringe-worthy). The arrangement is rather thin to begin with and relies too much on timpani to drive it. The female vocal is a nice touch, although it, too, sounds bad when it's pitched too low or too high. There is also little dynamics in the arrangement which makes the entire tune sound flat. |
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Will You remember (Gone) - arranged by MRTReview by LaLa, 30/11/2015 What a wonderful, clean arrangement: not a single note that's wasted, not a single note that's useless. But what really makes this remix is the lyrics: it's a mix of touching eulogy and techno-romance that may not seem so out of place today in the age of smartphones and smart TVs - but this began 30 years ago when it was not fashionable and commonplace to be glued to computer screens. One cannot be NOT moved by the lyrics, and, of course, by the synthesized voice thatsingsit: that unmistakable Commodore speech engine. My only technical note is that I wish the voice was put more in front of the rest of the mix. A remarkable piece of nostalgia. Dziekuje, Tomasz! |
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Last Ninja 2 - The Sewers loader (FreeJitsu-Mix) - arranged by wk-oneReview by LaLa, 20/11/2015 I find the intro more promising than the rest of the remix, which at 0:52 becomes just one of many LN2 remixes. There are a few cool ideas lurking in it, though. The most intriguing one is thewhispering voicespart after 2:12, that's very creative. I really want to like this remix so much, but it isn't fleshed out as well as it could've been. |
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Rambo Loader (Rambo's Blue Monday Mix) - arranged by TronReview by LaLa, 18/08/2015 For those who don't speak fluent Morse: it spells outDONATE TO REMIX.KWED.ORG(twice, in fact) |
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Enlightenment Druid II - arranged by Puffy64Review by LaLa, 16/01/2015 After a 12 year hiatus, Puffy64 and his guitars are BAAAACK!This is a great hard rock rendition of Druid II. My favorite part is the break (e. g. between 1:18-1:27) that is just spot on. There is a good balance in the arrangement and the mix - I just really like listening to it over and over again. Welcome back, Puffy64! |
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Last Ninja 3 (Horizon mix) - arranged by MythologyReview by LaLa, 12/06/2014 First off, I don't know what this tune has to do with TMR, it's clearly a Last Ninja 3 subtune #10 remix. TMR's SID remix of it is not even the same subtune (that's #6)… Anyhoo…Love the guitar work, really deep, great riffs, well mixed. The drum pattern is too simple, though, that needs work. I like the lightbreak in the middle, but overall I have mixed feelings about the arrangement, it sounds a bit confusing. All in all, pretty good job, hope there's more to come! |
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Stormlord (String Orchestra Cover) - arranged by John NovakReview by LaLa, 25/03/2014 This is a very admirable effort, I quite like its emotional bend, and how this piece intentionally lives within its self-imposed limits.What I miss is more dynamicity: I don't feel much difference between the sections that were probably intended to be forte and the softer sections. For example, towards the end at around 4:32 I think it should get louder, more forceful in a crescendo fashion to finish it off with a bang. Also, this sounds more like a chamber string quartet than a larger string orchestra to me, but now I am really nitpicking. Great piece of music, thanks for sharing! |
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International Karate - arranged by Rune-Bertil'sReview by LaLa, 17/08/2013 Well, first of all, I really admire that you've tackled the entire IK tune, not just a part of it. I also really admire the unbelievable effort that must've been put into this remix, it's obviously a work of love, a work of art. It's a great production with lots of wonderful details.Having said that, like others, I also think this is not a perfect marriage of source material and style. Maybe it's my existing knowledge about prior IK remixes that gets in the way here, maybe it's the perceived awkwardness of the way the melody is fit onto a swing beat - dunno, but somehow it just doesn't gel together in my brain. Does it make my legs move? Yes. Does it bring a smile on my face? Yes. Maybe I should just be content with that. |
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Ghost'n Goblins (Cathedral Mix) - arranged by Isacco Garcia PeveriReview by LaLa, 04/07/2013 I'm always glad when a pipe organ remix shows up on RKO because I like organ music, which is why I am probably more picky about it. I see a few issues with this interpretation:1) It needs a more throatypipe organ sound. The one you used sounds a bit whiney. 2) The arrangement could be a bit more complex, I'd love to hear this more in the style of Bach. 3) Fadeout with a pipe organ tune? Not a good choice at all. It needs a big, window-rattling crescendo ending! |
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Training (Kicks with a punch Remix) - arranged by AcidBlockReview by LaLa, 16/03/2013 Finally, a remix of this underrated JCH tune! The kick drum has such a punch, it hurt my stomach even thru the headphones! In a good way!The raspy lead instrument is a bit off-putting. I am not a fan of the arrangement, either, maybe I need to listen to it more to appreciate it. BTW, did I mention I love the punch of its kickass kick? |
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Green Beret (Chillout ReMix) - arranged by PowerTraceReview by LaLa, 14/02/2013 I have just rediscovered this remix (2016 Feb), and man, it totally captivates me! It's been playing on a loop inside my head for days now. The production is topnotch, and it is deeply emotional on many levels. And Zilog is right: there's something Jarre-ish about this remix: that dreamy piano is definitelyMetamorphosis. |
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Outrun Europe Levels Extended Euromix - arranged by PhekkisReview by LaLa, 03/02/2013 I really dig the space disco style of this remix. This is also definitely better mixed than the 1st version you submitted to RKO.My most favorite part of this remix is 3:07-3:21 (which also gets repeated a few times later), that chord progressions is spot on. Maybe the drums could be stronger, I think the snares are especially weak. I like the arrangement overall, it doesn't get boring at all despite its length. The more I listen to this, the more I like it! |
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Stormlord (Cinematic RMX) - arranged by Nicklas SchmidtReview by LaLa, 14/09/2012 This remix doesn't really tell a story, and thus, it doesn't feelepic. I think the root of the problem is that it's lacking in the arrangement department - it feels like a bunch of (otherwise excellent) symphonic samples were stitched together without much thought. There's no cohesion and it's short on emotions - it just doesn't seem to have its act together. To me the highlight of this remix is the quieter part of 1:32-1:47. There are plenty of emotions in those 15 seconds. The part between 2:34 and 3:05 also shows promise, although I think the buildup is architected somewhat haphazardly and thus, it also feels incomplete. Much like the entire remix which ends abruptly not long after that. Symphonic arrangements are a tough cookie, this remix makes an admirable attempt at it, but ultimately, it falls short. The samples are great, the mix is pretty good, the instruments are well-chosen - but it needs a better arrangement. |
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