reggae sabbath ?!?

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heatmiser

heatmiser

mr. green christmas
Hey,

Here is a new recording I'd like you to check out if you get a chance. It is a cover of a black sabbath song called spiral architect. I took a lot of liberties with this - keeping the lyrics and basic vocal melody but pretty much throwing everything else out the window and inexplicably doing it in a reggae influenced style.

Just to further alienate anyone not already turned off by this idea I managed to work in a riff from a grateful dead tune during the breaks. Anyway, I kind of like it, but what about the mix? Too much bass? Drums too loud? Perhaps a bit dark overall...any ideas comments, etc. are appreciated :).

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=660667&songID=9285102

Thanks,
Pete
 
Hi Pete. That sounds really good. My only qualm would be the sound of the snare. It's almost perfect, but a bit too thin. Not so much when the song just starts, then it actually sounds nice, but further into the song it stands out a bit too much. Maybe some eq corrections, or less reverb? Other than that this is quality material, that's obvious. Lots of bass, I like :D
 
singlespeak said:
Hi Pete. That sounds really good. My only qualm would be the sound of the snare. It's almost perfect, but a bit too thin. Not so much when the song just starts, then it actually sounds nice, but further into the song it stands out a bit too much. Maybe some eq corrections, or less reverb? Other than that this is quality material, that's obvious. Lots of bass, I like :D
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Hey thanks singlespeak. I'm glad you thought it sounded ok. Yeah, the snare does pop out too much at times. I used a couple of different sounds on this and the transitions could be smoother. There actually isn't any reverb on the drums, but plenty of room mic (kind of the same thing I guess?)...I've been backing off on that with each tune, but still probably too much...thanks again!
 
Don't know any Sabbath except the radio tunes but I like what you've got going here... The snare might be a tad loud but in reggae it's pretty present so maybe not. Great recording overall!
 
ido1957 said:
Don't know any Sabbath except the radio tunes but I like what you've got going here... The snare might be a tad loud but in reggae it's pretty present so maybe not. Great recording overall!
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Thanks for checking it out ido. Its encouraging to get another set of ears. I expected metal fans to be enraged..."sacrilege"! :D

I was definitely thinking the snare could be overdone a bit given the genre, but I think I overdid the overdoing of it...huh?
 
Cool one. I really like the original & LOVE the SBS album. It was arad album by Sab in that it had SO MANY keyboards on it. Your treatment is great. The melody carries the original & it is fairly complete on this too.
As a lucky Dube who saw Marley 2 nights in a row in 77 I quite like your take on reggae too - the snare is right. To be closer to the master you might have played the Dead sections on clavinet.
All I'd have asked other than the clav is a little more sneer in your voice.
Nice one!
 
rayc said:
Cool one. I really like the original & LOVE the SBS album. It was arad album by Sab in that it had SO MANY keyboards on it. Your treatment is great. The melody carries the original & it is fairly complete on this too.
As a lucky Dube who saw Marley 2 nights in a row in 77 I quite like your take on reggae too - the snare is right. To be closer to the master you might have played the Dead sections on clavinet.
All I'd have asked other than the clav is a little more sneer in your voice.
Nice one!
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Hey ray...I am glad you got to hear this 'cause I knew you liked ozzy-era sabbath and reggae. Not many others I expect fall into that category.

Check on the sneer. I listened to the original hours after wrapping this up and was amazed once again by the whiney wail of his voice on that album...I love it, but my voice is so different, it was all I could do just to hit most of the notes (like, 10 octaves lower or something :o:)).

Still not sure about a clavinet...is it that sort of squawking organ used on early '70's funk...like, uh...the sanford & son theme? If so, that would be perfect here...the wah guitar on the left is supposed to fill that role, but tough trying to do all the sounds with just guitar. Thanks again.
 
The clav was used by the Band a few times & it's a quacking wah sort of sound. The wailers used it often for linking phrases like the one in I Shot the Sherriff.
You don't need to use it - it'd just be taking that extra step like Dread Zeppelin I suppose.
 
jedblue said:
More great shit from Pete.... :):):)
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Ha! Thanks jedblue :D

rayc said:
The clav was used by the Band a few times & it's a quacking wah sort of sound. The wailers used it often for linking phrases like the one in I Shot the Sherriff.
You don't need to use it - it'd just be taking that extra step like Dread Zeppelin I suppose.
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Haven't heard much dread zep, but if you (or anyone here) gets the chance, check out the Easy Star All Stars. They're from NYC, but play everywhere - even Australia sometimes.

I saw them in Portland just a couple of weeks ago and they were great. They do whole albums of classic / idie rock in dub reggae style. Great live band.

"Dub Side of the Moon"
"Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band" &
"Radiodread"
 
This is great. The drums do sound really good. Can you make the snare drier? I think it sticks out because at times it sounds like its in a tin can a bit. Otherwise this is cool as hell. I like the GD solos.
 
Jason Chinchen said:
This is great. The drums do sound really good. Can you make the snare drier? I think it sticks out because at times it sounds like its in a tin can a bit. Otherwise this is cool as hell. I like the GD solos.
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Thanks Jason. I'm not sure about the snare, but definitely an issue for some...I think the whole kit could probably be drier, so maybe I'll give that a go...
 
>> New Mix 06.22 <<

Sorry to bump this, but I took a few days off and then revisited this today with some of your advice in mind. I think this mix is better, but would love to hear any opinions if anyone has the time.

> EQ'd the snare a bit to cut down on the tinny factor. Also lowered the level a bit...does that help? I think it does.

> I reversed the doubled vocal tracks so that the opposite ones are in foreground/background as I found this take to be a bit brighter & clearer with better pitch. Still doubled, but the effect is lessened..too pitchy still?

> Also cut some low mids out of the guitars and vocals.

> Also brought up the room mics during the drum break as an effect which I like, but too cheesy?

> Brought the bass down a bit...too whimpy now?

Same link here and up top:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=660667&songID=9285102
 
Well, I missed the first version of this you posted.

The mix is spot on. I completely dig the snare...cuts nice and tight w/out dominating. The roomy boost at the break might've been a bit much. I think it would motor on just fine without it. Vox, guits...everything sits very nicely in the mix...lots of space. Nice.

Bout the only nit I could pick is the kick is somewhat lacking. But that's about it. Nice mashup...funny as hell in a good way.:D
 
TeyshaBlue said:
Well, I missed the first version of this you posted.

The mix is spot on. I completely dig the snare...cuts nice and tight w/out dominating. The roomy boost at the break might've been a bit much. I think it would motor on just fine without it. Vox, guits...everything sits very nicely in the mix...lots of space. Nice.

Bout the only nit I could pick is the kick is somewhat lacking. But that's about it. Nice mashup...funny as hell in a good way.:D
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Cool. Thanks for checking it out. Very reassuring and helpful :).

Normally I haven't remixed again based on just one comment, but I think you were right on about the kick. I too noted it was absent at times, but forgot to address it.

New (3rd) mix added (same links). The kick drum has a slight boost now and although I retained the room mic boost in the break, I dialed it back a little more. This is very helpful. If anyone else hears anything, please let me know. Thanks!!
 
Fuck, this is awesome. I don't know the original, but this by itself is pretty great. Really good job, and a really good mix. No nits from me. :)
 
Yup...totally agree about this being funny as hell but in a good way...I dont know the song but I can imagine Ozzy singing it..


Nothing to say on the mix, though Id probably say this is your best so far


What I would say that this should be a masterclass in how to record a cover...to take Sabbath and turn it into this, which isnt really reggae, its a genius arrangement

I really enjoyed that and I think its made the playlist for my lying on the beach mix


well done Pete the heat!

more please!!
 
kcearl said:
Yup...totally agree about this being funny as hell but in a good way...I dont know the song but I can imagine Ozzy singing it..


Nothing to say on the mix, though Id probably say this is your best so far


What I would say that this should be a masterclass in how to record a cover...to take Sabbath and turn it into this, which isnt really reggae, its a genius arrangement

I really enjoyed that and I think its made the playlist for my lying on the beach mix


well done Pete the heat!

more please!!
Click to expand...

Genre mashups are pretty fun. I hope we hear more of 'em.:cool:
 
Greg_L said:
Fuck, this is awesome. I don't know the original, but this by itself is pretty great. Really good job, and a really good mix. No nits from me. :)
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Really? Cool. Getting the Greg seal of approval helps put the mind at ease. Maybe this one's a wrap. Thanks.

kcearl said:
Yup...totally agree about this being funny as hell but in a good way...I dont know the song but I can imagine Ozzy singing it..


Nothing to say on the mix, though Id probably say this is your best so far


What I would say that this should be a masterclass in how to record a cover...to take Sabbath and turn it into this, which isnt really reggae, its a genius arrangement

I really enjoyed that and I think its made the playlist for my lying on the beach mix


well done Pete the heat!

more please!!
Click to expand...

Great, thanks kc! I think most people seem to prefer straight covers. Myself, I prefer them to be as different as possible while still being recognizable. I'm glad this worked for you even though you don't know the song and hate reggae :).

No, this isn't very authentic rasta music or anything...it does have the skank, but otherwise the pacing is kind of wrong somehow...too rushed or something. I can't really do any specific genre very well, but that is probably ok as long as I'm mashing stuff together like this. I wish I had some original material, but hopefully something will come to me soon...thanks again.
 
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