HCs Review Of ULLAdubULLA 2 - The Remix Album

[jeffwaynefan]

Released on April 17th 2006

RRP: £9.99

SonyBMG & Columbia label



Title: Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds - ULLAdubULLA II - The Remix Album

I really was not expecting much in the way of memorable remixes of the 'new' variety when learning of the release of ULLAdubULLA II, and I was not dissopointed. The entire album contains tracks previously released except for 3 tracks which were new for this album. Sadly the lack of classic remixes that have made the tracks from the Playstation game and the original 2000 release of ULLAdubULLA much loved.

1/ ULLAdubULLA - Papa Ootzie Remix

Many will be familiar with this track, being released before on both ULLAdubULLA (2000) and the remix CD that comes with the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition'

2/ HORSELL COMMON AND THE HEAT RAY (Everybody Gather) - Zube Remix

Not many will actually know this, but this is infact Jeff's son who was behind this remix. Profressionally mixed, many will not like the idea of this being a 'rap' record, myself being one and it does take some time to get use to.

3/ THE EVE OF THE WAR (Cosmos Mix) - Tom Middleton

Here is the first of many remixes of the opening track to the 1978 album. Originally released in September of 2005, this is the 7" remix.

4/ FOREVER AUTUMN - N-Trance Remix

This is the 7" remix taken from both the 2000 release of ULLAdubULLA and the 2005 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

5/ THE ARTILLERYMAN AND THE FIGHTING MACHINE - Max Mondo Remix

Many will recognise this from being released on the Playstation (PS1) game and both the ULLAdubULLA and the 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

6/ THE RED WEED - Stephen Murphey Remix

This is another of the ambient tracks taken from the Playstation (PS1) game.

7/ BRAVE NEW WORLD - Todd Terry Remix

Taken from the original 2000 release of ULLAdubULLA album and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

8/ THE SPIRIT OF MAN - Max Mondo

Taken from both the 2000 release of ULLAdubULLA and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

9/ THE EVE OF THE WAR (Fire In The Sky) - HYBRID Remix

This is one of my personal favourites. Taken from from both the original ULLAdubULLA album and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

10/ FOREVER ATUMN (Dark Autumn Dub) - Tom Frederikse & Gaetan Schurrer Remix

Long time remix of the classic FOPREVER AUTUMN that appeared on the 1995 remastered version (4 bonus tracks), 2000 ULLAdubULLA release and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' remixes disc.

11/ DEAD LONDON - Stephen Murphy Remix

Another classic remix track taken from the Playstation game.

12/ THE SPIRIT OF MAN (The Spirit Of Dub)

This is the 7" version remixed from the track as featured on the remixes disc that came with the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition'.

13/ BRAVE NEW WORLD - Dario G Remix

Taken from both the original 2000 release of ULLAdubULLA and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' set.

14/ THE EVE OF THE WAR (Radio Edit) - Ben Liebrand

Another long time classic remix first released in 1989 and featured on the remixes disc that came with the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition'.

15/ HORSELL COMMON AND THE HEAT RAY - Max Mondo Remix

Taken from the Playstation game, ULLAdubULLA and the 7 disc 'Collector's Edition' albums, this is the 7" remix.

16/ THE EVE OF THE WAR - DJ Keltech

The 2nd new remix featured on this album, many will like this. Certainly differant but sadly not fresh. The opening of the track does sound as if you disc is faulty, but it's well worth a listen.

17/ THE SPIRIT OF MAN - Zube Remix

The 3rd new remix and second remix on the album by Jeff's son. This is another 'rap' track, but certainly worthy of a single release. Though many may not like the idea of it being a rap record, it does bring the track/album into today's music industry.

HCs VERDICT

My verdict on this and being a fan of the album since childhood, I can understand as to why this album has been released. As I have already mentioned many will like this album such as the younger generations who are familiar with dance, trance and such remixes, but the older generation will struggle to find something new and fresh amoungst the tracks. I was infact dissopointed in the overall layout of the remixes. Though the remixes are of the professional nature we have come to know, the album just does not hit the mark and the album should have contained more newer remixes.

And so I will give the album a honest 5 / 10

[Spirit of Man]

A harsh verdict there HC, but one that I sadly agree with. Its always nice to hear WoTW remixes, but more new ones would have been nice I think.

I was really looking forward to hearing the Zube mixes but again, as you pointed out, not many will enjoy the rap nature of it, myself added to that list. Its not that I dont like rap, but only some of the lyrics seemed to relate to the source material.

Nice to have in the collection, but I doubt I'll be sticking it back in the player any time soon.

[jeffwaynefan]

spiritofman said:

A harsh verdict there HC

It's not harsh at all, it's an honest opinion looked at from both age groups

[Spirit of Man]

jeffwaynefan said:

spiritofman said:

A harsh verdict there HC

It's not harsh at all, it's an honest opinion looked at from both age groups

It is

[krys666]

I've not heard ULLAdubULLA II But I didn't have high expectations. So to me it sounds like I was right in how good the album would be.

[jeffwaynefan]

Just had a good listen to the last track (rap track) on the album. The rap by Saint Nick mentions peadophiles living by schools and drug dealers, looking upon it as a war of the worlds. What has that got to do with TWOTW story, the musical and I do wonder why it was even used in the track.

[krys666]

jeffwaynefan said:

Just had a good listen to the last track (rap track) on the album. The rap by Saint Nick mentions peadophiles living by schools and drug dealers, looking upon it as a war of the worlds. What has that got to do with TWOTW story, the musical and I do wonder why it was even used in the track.

wtf?!?!?!?!

[uuulllaaa]

Basicly it has to be said the rap tracks are utter garbage.

[Zoë]

My cd came this morning.. Im trying so very hard to like it, there hasnt been one remix that I dont like

Hmm I think I like the horsell common rap thing more than the spirit of man one.. but im sure that was played at the end of the show and it seemed ok.

No im sorry I even prefer the dark autumn dub to those and thats my least fave one.


edit: i think im starting to like them more now

[Phil]

Hmm...very interesting reviews. It sounds as if very much that my fears were confirmed. I think I'll stick to the original Ulladubulla album and not waste my money. Or at best, I'll wait for the bargain bin.

Call me strange but I just can't see a crap-rap song about child molesting fitting in to a Martian invasion of Victorian England. Oh, surely it must be satire?

On a more positive note (hopefully), is the Tom Middleton mix any good?

[Spirit of Man]

phil said:

Hmm...very interesting reviews. It sounds as if very much that my fears were confirmed. I think I'll stick to the original Ulladubulla album and not waste my money. Or at best, I'll wait for the bargain bin.

Call me strange but I just can't see a crap-rap song about child molesting fitting in to a Martian invasion of Victorian England. Oh, surely it must be satire?

On a more positive note (hopefully), is the Tom Middleton mix any good?

The Tom Middleton mix is pretty good, I do prefer some other mixes, but the Middleton ones are pretty decent. And I agree with Horsell regarding the Zube mixes, while the music isnt too bad on them, the rapping is kinda UK Urban stylie, tellin it how it is, sadly not about how it was in Mr Wells's book or Mr Waynes musical.

[jeffwaynefan]

The Tom Middleton mix is very good. Its a kind of Ben Liebrand version of today. My only negative comment on the Tom Middleton mix is the use of the lead guitar which is heard on the orginal Eve Of The War. Middleton use's the same sample, but sadly it is not loud enough and is drowned out by other sound samples and rythems.

[Refugee]

Is the track from the start of the live show available? The red weed - Drums of war bit with the ickle walker.

[spirit]

I completely disagree with the comments about the Zube tracks. Yes, the lyrics may not be about the HG Wells story, but they're very clever. They're not about paedophiles - that's just one passing line - they're about the 'war of the worlds' that we all face in society today. It's using a metaphor. I love them. I think they're the best mixes on the CD: fresh, exciting, soulful. You just have to listen with an open mind - they're not meant to be true to the original so don't expect that - if you want the orignal, listen to the original! These are remixes, and Zube's are remarkable.

[jeffwaynefan]

Hello 'spirit' and welcome to our site.

As I pointed out, the older generation amoung us will have difficulty is adapting to the newer mixes, and as professional as they are and knowing what a starnge breed we are, the slightest change to something we have grown so used to over such a large period of time seems more alien to us than the story. The mixes are very good, the rap tracks are also very good and fresh, though not to us 'older' fans. The newer rap tracks will appeal to the younger generations, hence the reason within my verdict - it appeals to both age gaps.

I agree with your comments on the original album sound, but since it's release of some 28 years ago, we are always eager to hear something new but yet on the same lines as the original - if that makes sense.

[uuulllaaa]

Hi spirit,i do think horsel common has raised a very good point people like myself who grew up in the seventies will find it very hard to accept a rock album turned into modern rap songs ,but yes you should listen to it with an open mind.Me personaly dont like rap music but thats me.Fair points by all i think.

[EvilNerfherder]

Welcome to the board, Spirit,
To be fair, I never used to really like Dance Music much but the Ulladubulla I tracks grew on me and I started to look elsewhere. Rock and Dance are becoming more and more entangled so it makes things a little easier.
I haven't heard the Zube tracks, yet, but I shall listen to them with an open mind.

[Spirit of Man]

spirit said:

I completely disagree with the comments about the Zube tracks. Yes, the lyrics may not be about the HG Wells story, but they're very clever. They're not about paedophiles - that's just one passing line - they're about the 'war of the worlds' that we all face in society today. It's using a metaphor. I love them. I think they're the best mixes on the CD: fresh, exciting, soulful. You just have to listen with an open mind - they're not meant to be true to the original so don't expect that - if you want the orignal, listen to the original! These are remixes, and Zube's are remarkable.

They're mixes........... I hadnt realised.

Just to let ya know tho, I listen to everything with an open mind, but no matter how open minded you are, you're not going to like everything you hear. In my case im afraid the Zube mixes didnt really do it for me. I do however love the Sakins Eve of the War, N-Trances Forever Autumn, The Spirit of Man (Spirit of Dub) Mix and there are probably a few more, I am aware the above listed mixes arent the original and wont listen to the original instead of listening to a WotW remix that I enjoy.