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