ReMix:Delta "Space Grind" 4:40

By Gustav Taxén

Arranging the music of one song...

"Title"

Primary Game: Delta (Thalamus , 1987, C64), music by Rob Hubbard

Posted 2003-05-08, evaluated by djpretzel


Damn. Non sequitir, I know, but my automobile is on its last legs and I've been car-shopping lately. A very painful experience when one has limited funds :) Anyways, I've made some time at the last minute tonight (this morning?) to post an excellent c64 ReMix from newcomer Gustav Taxen, from Rob Hubbard's score to the shooter Delta. Introing with some seriously cool, Pink Floyd-ish ominous ambient effects, things get techno as a synthline fades in and build quickly to the beat intro around 0'45". Though a bit repetitive, I love the very stereo nature of the breakbeats used (there's actually some good fill effects and variation here and there, but it's subtle) - melody soon enters on a crystal-clear lead synth that jumps around doing some arpeggio craziness between more lyrical portions, as is often the case with c64 tracks in general. There's some great soloing around the third minute that goes way into those upper octaves and is quite fun and unashamedly unrestrained. Though the bass and drums don't alter that much, the piece never seems too repetitive, perhaps because of the structure which essentially introduces the main melody a couple times, then takes off in another direction with the extended soloing and what not. Good, fun stuff, with that little something extra due to the energetic, high-frequency synth monologue that is the final couple minutes or so. Great first ReMix from Gustav - hope to see more.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black Chakram
on 2021-08-23 18:40:57

Interesting that this song is essentially Koyaanisqatsi by Philip Glass

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evktalo
on 2013-11-11 08:04:41

This is an excellent source tune. I love the rock rendition done by Axes Denied, and it's fun to find another take here.

On to the arrangement itself: intro is sweet, the main lead is decent, there are some very nice touches and additions to the soundscape here and there. The point where the lead starts playing triplet-style, with the added stereo synth wash was a cool thing to build up. I liked the "strange synth percs" breakdown after it. And the synth solo at the end was a good way to wrap things up.

I just wish the beat wasn't do damned loud in the mix, it's covering up everything else. But overall, the piece is quite fun to listen to, and it builds up towards the finale in a way that's worth learning from!

--Eino

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Drachefly
on 2011-06-29 17:03:51

The vast and cold reaches of space - the cold of Jupiter's million degree magnetic belt. Million degrees doesn't feel so hot when it's so thin you can't easily distinguish it from vacuum.

But there's something there. Something drifting, but alive, thinking, communicating.

We close in and see its insides, a miniature city bustling with life, a million complex decisions each second, urgent, fateful, each made on the backdrop of the same mechanical heartbeat.

We pass it and lose it for a moment as we slew our scope around to watch it as it recedes. As we lose the signal, we shift our attention elsewhere.

~~~~

I used to be an author on the short-lived Infinity On 30 Credits a Day collaborative webcomic project, and once I heard this I immediately linked the two. This is Dazer and Jake weaving the Infinity through the race's hazards and past their opponents. This is a high-energy plasma torch rocket making carefully planned but eventually improvised maneuvers, with a specific goal in mind but basically for the sheer joy of doing it.

~~~~

Some above have complained about the repetitive background. I just factor it out, let it set the mood, and focus on what's changing. The multiple time-scales of the tune, the slower synth background, the ambient space sounds, and the beat mesh perfectly for me.

The flipping out section just seals the deal.

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OA
on 2008-12-09 16:53:37

Very ambient intro had me wondering what would be in store for this one, but once that beat came in, I knew it was going to be something exciting. The bass sound was a bit jarring and synthy, but it worked decently enough.

The loop got a bit old after awhile though, and was a bit overly present, but the lead synth kept things interesting throughout. Nice soloing, I liked that part. It would have had a bit more punch to it is the loop hadn't grown stale. Some percussive interplay would have been nice with the various solo ideas.

Overall this is a decent mix with a great solo, but some cut corners that really detract from the mix. Check it out though, it's worth the download.

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JoshJoshWhite
on 2007-04-22 18:48:00

This really needs a new review, especially because it's very good. I've been going through the OC Remix torrent files, and this remix compelled me to write a glowing review.

I'm on my 3rd listen in a row, and it keeps getting better. I like the moody intro and the slow transition into the rest of the remix from 0:17 to 0:44. As already mentioned, at 2:45 the remix gets simply glorious. If you're reading this review . . . Download. The. Remix. Now. Then listen, and be happy.

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Snyderman
on 2004-01-29 07:14:00

Awesome take on the original. I always loved Rob Hubbard's stuff, and as much as I love Dodo's rendition of Sanxion, I wish someone would make a cover of Sanxion of this caliber. I personally love the lead, the lead and bassline are very reminiscent of the old C64 SID chip with the very whiny (or the bassline's warbly) sound, while still sounding modern through updated sound.

I would have to say this is probably one of my top 10 favorite OC remixes. A song like this inspired me to seek out Rob Hubbard's other music, it was that good. I thought the backbeat was interesting but a bit repetetive, but the backbeat only. I really can't see how people claim this song is repetitive, it plays through the entire song exactly ONCE (the original song) which ends at 2:19.

The original section at 2:45 is probably one of the best solos I've ever heard in a remix. When I first heard it in this remix, I was like "Man this second part is awesome!" and when I came back to the original, my secondary reaction was "Dear god! A minute and a half of straight original material! This is even MORE awesome!"

Surely the bassline and backbeat get a bit repetetive if you focus on them, but I've always been a melody man myself... and you cover a song from the C64 (by one of the most well known C64 composers of all time) which is already all about the melody, then you've got me. I really hope sometime in the future I hear more from Gustav Taxen, amazing stuff. Sanxion is still dying for a proper remix by the way. :wink:

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Bruk
on 2003-10-30 18:57:29

I love the synth solo. This is one of the few OCR songs that has an "I just went nuts" part that I enjoyed a lot. Good work Mr. Taxen.

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Coucou
on 2003-10-30 17:36:41

You know what a guitar hero is, right ?

Here we have a keyboard hero:

the synth solo @ 2:45 is, IMHO,

a masterpiece.

And I wish I knew how to do these ambient space sounds...

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Jaxvon
on 2003-06-16 12:29:24

The first time I listened, it was saying "generic techno." However, after a few repeats, it really grew on me. As a jazz artist, I really love the solos toward the end. This is some seriously good stuff here folks. Like, you should be hearing this on a dancefloor. Don't hesitate to DL this one. You should love it.

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ChaosZero
on 2003-06-10 04:56:06

My favorite song ever made.

Well, one of them, but it's probably a tie for number one. An aural masterpiece. I've listened to it literally hundreds of times now, and it's still magical. Great job, keep up the good work.

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Ytmh
on 2003-05-19 15:58:18

An OK remix, of an apparently excellent song. You know, for it being in techno-ish vibes, it's actually very melodicish... You know what it reminds me of sort of? Rise of the Triad. ..with rtype.

Odd, yes, but some of the harmonic shiftings that this thing does I've heard there. Nice all over, though... you know, it'd have been nice if it used a little more variation on those drums, though they're OK.

It's an interesting drum beat, sure, but now that I listen to it more, you could've really used some variation on it. Other than that vague suggestion, it's neat, but I wouldn't keep it around for long.

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UltimaAvatar
on 2003-05-18 00:37:24

one word: "NICE"

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AnotherOneBitesTheDust
on 2003-05-12 20:03:16

Yay! A delta mix on OC! The first listen, I wasn't sure about the drums, but once the whole thing was over I didn't seem to care anymore. The solo during the last half is like djp on crack! It's like it sounds like your average solo most of the time, but then parts come which sound like it would be part of the original song. Great listening.

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neostormx
on 2003-05-12 07:11:30

Sorry for not posting earlier on this remix, because it deserved my immediate posting :). this remix is sounds so great. I especially like the main lead, and i also like both the PLACEMENT of the bass on the stereo spectrum and the sound of it. Really good job, the sound quality is superb!

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His Divine Shadow
on 2003-05-09 20:09:37

Hey, glad you posted it Gustav! I told you this was a sure win, and it's great to see your stuff getting play beyond KWED. Looks like more people will be turning onto your work now, which is a good thing. I haven't gotten tired of this since the original download back when. :D

Great job, and keep mixing!

HDS

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Delta (Thalamus , 1987, C64)
Music by Rob Hubbard
Songs:
"Title"

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File Information


Name:
Delta_Space_Grind_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,493,374 bytes
MD5:
c19b04b676a35ffe4c7e44e0a097a51a
Bitrate:
125Kbps
Duration:
4:40

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