Several Commodore 64 Mastertronic games had some outstanding soundtracks that graced the SID chip, from the likes of Rob Hubbard, David Whittaker, Jeroen Tel, and many more. It was natural as people fell more in love with these soundtracks that they would think “what if I remade it with some nice instruments and made a remix of it?” – and clearly that struck a chord with both those making and those listening, hence the Commodore 64 remix scene being around for a considerable amount of time – and two of the main sites for reference being:
Remix64 – https://remix64.com/
remix.kwed.org – https://remix.kwed.org/
This is the fourth and final part of this series, where I will look remixes of themes from games that were re-released by Mastertronic, either via the Ricochet label, or later via Americana, MAD, Mastertronic+ and Rack It, which were commercial or scene-released, and based on the full list of albums available at https://remix64.com/albums/ – and in some cases, the albums have been re-released for free since. So, if there are any free or Bandcamp listening links (which may be also handy for purchasing digitally), I shall provide those along with links to the album on Remix64, which as well as more information has a link to purchasing the album, with either physical or digital versions available. Some of these albums do not have any physical copies for sale anymore, but you may be able to locate them on the likes of eBay or Discogs if you are interested.
For a full introduction to Commodore 64 Remixes, please read the opening of part one, which explains it all succinctly. And there is one very special remix at the end, for a very good reason. So here we go:
Bruce Lee (original by John Fitzpatrick, remix by Fastloaders, from the album C64 Rocks)
Album Page – https://remix64.com/albums/fastloaders-c64-rocks/
Listen on Bandcamp – https://fastloaders.bandcamp.com/track/bruce-lee
The original Bruce Lee title theme is short, but that did not stop Fastloaders managing to eke out a two-minute version, and with good reason. The introduction has some nice drums before the lead guitars kick in to give the tune some suitable metal goodness, complete with keeping the main groove of the theme intact, and adding extra guitars for the melody and harmonies each time the theme would loop around in the original, giving it some much needed variety. The instrument placement is spot on, and shows the care and consideration. There is a middle section before a final key change and some gorgeous guitars, played at a furious pace, to end things well.
Further remixes of Bruce Lee – https://remix64.com/track/more-of/sid/MUSICIANS/F/Fitzpatrick_John/Bruce_Lee.sid/index.html
Did You Know?
The game received an unofficial remaster by Megastyle in 2019, called Bruce Lee – Return of Fury, and as well as having more levels, it was also made more difficult and multiple players could also play at once. Well worth checking out, if you have the time.
Crazy Comets (original by Rob Hubbard, remix by Rob Hubbard and Marcel Donné, from the album Hubbard 80)
Album Page – https://remix64.com/albums/rob-hubbard-marcel-donne-hubbard-80/
Listen on Bandcamp – https://c64audio.bandcamp.com/track/comets-that-are-crazy
Imagine, if you will, going back to 1980 and re-imagining how Rob Hubbard would have envisaged the game themes on equipment at the time. Well, that is what the Hubbard 80 album does, and here the two main instruments are the Hammond B3 and the Rhodes Mark II guitar. Both musicians here combine with suitable skill to sound like a session band playing together and really bringing forth that more relaxed vibe to the mix. It certainly has that feel complete with the keyboards giving some suitable backing and the guitar bringing forth the lead, and some nice additional backing from the other instruments used here, and a prog rock style ending to give it the final impetus that you need. It is one that might take time to grow on you, but when it does, it will be one that you will be listening to often.
Further remixes of Crazy Comets – https://remix64.com/track/more-of/sid/MUSICIANS/H/Hubbard_Rob/Crazy_Comets.sid/index.html
Fist II: The Legend Continues (original by Neil Brennan, remix by Markus Holler, from the album Remix 64 v2 – Into Eternity)
Album Page – https://remix64.com/albums/remix64-volume-2-into-eternity/
Listen to the track for free – https://remix64.com/track/markus-holler/fist-2-the-legend-continues-remix64-v2/
At the time of release, this was considered to be the finest remix of Fist II. Today, it still stands up and for me, it holds that accolade. The main reason is its sense of emotion and warmth, with the piano providing a gentle and melodic backing, and when the main flute lead does come into play, it just has that ethnic feel that takes you to Oriental shores, added even more with the soft vocal that adds even more layers of depth and emotion, before there is a crescendo of instruments with the flute up front that adds that sense of being there, wonderfully well. Everything is not wasted, but used with beauty, timing and a very gentle softness that shows that sometimes, less is a lot more. This would not be out of place in any film made around the time of the game and would grace any cinema with its presence.
Further remixes of Fist II: The Legend Continues – https://remix64.com/track/more-of/sid/MUSICIANS/B/Brennan_Neil/Fist_II-The_Legend_Continues.sid/index.html
Knucklebusters (original by Rob Hubbard, remix by PRESS PLAY ON TAPE, from the album Home Computer)
Album Page – https://remix64.com/albums/ppot-home-computer/
A huge album highlight and one I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the band playing live, it manages to distil the seventeen minutes into around twelve without sounding wasteful, and crucially keeping all the important parts present and correct. So, you have a softer sounding opening, the more melodic middle section and then all the build up as the tune gets darker and gradually gets more frenetic, increasing in both pace and crescendo. This is so well controlled when that mood kicks in – with some superlative guitar and drum work, that you appreciate it even more when played flawlessly live as it is in the studio. The final few minutes are intense and yet so well controlled, complete with plenty of metal as it does so, which you will be headbanging to as it gets quicker, with the final ending just punctuated so well to bring the curtain to a close here. One of the best ever live performed remixes of all time, this.
Further remixes of Knucklebusters – https://remix64.com/track/more-of/sid/MUSICIANS/H/Hubbard_Rob/Knucklebusters.sid/index.html
Did You Know?
PRESS PLAY ON TAPE played this as part of their set at Back in Time Live Brighton in 2015, and was acknowledged to be the stand out performance of the night, with all the intensity and accuracy of the studio version but played with so much skill and expertise. It was a pleasure to be there to see it being performed.
Lightforce (original by Rob Hubbard, remix by Mr Weebl, from the album SID Life Crisis)
Album Page – https://remix64.com/albums/sid-life-crisis/
Watch the music video here – https://weebls-stuff.com/toons/lightforce-sid-life-crysis/
You will know Mr Weebl more for a song involving badgers, but he is also a fan of the SID chip. The album was created out of love, and this version has plenty of synths that build on top of the backing instrument that starts the whole thing. There is very much a sense of power and pace with this one, as the drums and the bass combine well to give you that atmosphere, before the final surprise – vocals, and this very much sounds in the style of Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode doing a Rob Hubbard song. The middle instrumental break without drums just gives all the sense of showcasing the warmth, before the vocals kick back in with some power. The final section just builds and builds all those synth sections and gives it all a gorgeous sense of presence, before fading to the classic Hubbard backing to complete things. Yes, it is a cut down edit from the full song, and yet none of it feels wasted whatsoever. Impressive stuff.
Further remixes of Lightforce – https://remix64.com/track/more-of/sid/MUSICIANS/H/Hubbard_Rob/Lightforce.sid/index.html
Did You Know?
Weebl’s song about badgers was remade to help a campaign to save badgers from being killed unnecessarily, with both Brian May and Brian Blessed making appearances on the remake of the song, with the video heavily inspired by the Flash Gordon film.
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Thanks Warren, for a fascinating series. I have heard quite a few of these remixes over the years and really enjoyed them.