Steve Wilson prog rock remixes/remasters, Part One: Yes "Relayer"

asiufy

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Doing the comparison now, and I kinda prefer the SW remix at this point. It's much more relaxed, while the record is crisper, with a tipped up top-end that can be tiring, and very thin midrange. That, BTW, is how I remember this album (as well as "Going for the one"), and how some of the early CDs sounded like.
Not the new SW remix, though. Warm, warm, warm. Full bottom end, punchy drumming. It's no comparison, really, the SW remix is much, much better. Perhaps they're putting that out on vinyl as well? That could be worth trying...
Again, this is a run of the mill US pressing, could be that...
 

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
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Sure Alex. I guess my issue is that SW has made it TOO warm. But maybe I'm nitpicking. I am v much enjoying hearing much deeper into (thru) the mix, and there are moments which are revelatory. But some aspects still leave me scratching my head. I can only imagine how difficult, or challenging the choices were, for SW to prepare this remix.
My tt front end is soon to get reinstalled, it'll be fun comparing this to the Japanese vinyl which had become my go-to version.
---
Btw Alex, I think this is it for the SW Yes remixes.
The master tapes for Going For The One are lost, and Geoff Downes is reluctant to give his permission for Steve to work on Drama.
SW remix of 90125 would be fascinating.
 

Skylab

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FWIW, while I don't have an original pressing anymore, i think Steven's Relayer remix sounds better than the FridayMusic 180g LP reissue that came out a year or so ago. It was also MUCH better than the SACD version that way released as a part of the SACD box set (which was overall quite disappointing and a real bummer to those of us who purchased it given how many Yes titles Steven has since remixed).

I wouldn't at all be surprised if Steven remixes 90125, given his stated passion for progressive artists who were also able to be popular in the mainstream.
 

spiritofmusic

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Guys, then what am I not "getting"?
I'm a fan of SW's Porcupine Tree and solo material sound quality, have no real issues w the remixes I've heard so far ie Tull Aqualung and Warchild, and I like what I've heard of Yes Topographic.
But this Relayer warmth feels a little overdone at the expense of seat of pants dynamics, and I'm struggling to at all get on w the SW muted (to my ears) Moog/drums/Crotales interplay in the (previously high octane) instrumental intro to second track Sound Chaser.
 

asiufy

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Marc,

Honestly, I'd look elsewhere, not at the recording itself. I did play the entire thing (twice), and never noticed any softness. As I said, it is a warm remix, but that's a factor of the treble/midrange balance. Drums are still punchy, and with full texture.
Are you playing the CD version of the remix? Maybe that's why, since I'm doing the 24/96 extracted from the BD/DVD/whateveritwas. I don't think I have even ripped the CD out of my set, just the hi-res...



cheers,
alex
 

spiritofmusic

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Just the lowly cd (disc one).
No capacity yet to download the HiRez.
Try the cd y'self and report back.
Maybe a good reason to go this direction in my setup?
 

rbbert

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A quick listen, and subsequent look in iZotope RX, to SW's new album To The Bone reveals that he is back to a relatively heavy hand on the compressor, unfortunately much more noticeable than on Hand.Cannot.Erase
 

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