I would think a good remix would be the highest form of flattery, just like the performance of a cover song is a high form of flattery, or imitation or whatever. In this age of electronic music I would say the electronic artist creating a remix in their bedroom is about equal to a bar band covering a song in a bar. Now there are some artists that might be in that bar and get super pissed because they're not getting royalties from the band (who, if they're like me, are glad they get free drinks because what little money they've made at the door won't cover the fliers, rehearsal space, guitar strings and such that led up to that show). But I think most artists would have a good laugh and buy the band a round of drinks. I remember wishing that one of the guys from Devo would show up when I was covering "Mongoloid"... but that was a different era.

I guess the Orb are a bunch of buggers for "stealing" from other people's songs. It's quite likely that more copies of Ultraworld were sold than Minnie Riperton's album with "Loving You" on it. I bet Minnie was pissed. In case you don't fathom the sarcasm there, the Orb song lead directly to the release of Minnie Riperton's Greatest Hits. That song had been out of print for over ten years when Ultraworld came out. I know, I tried to find it. (A little side note, I did find it on an "Italian Import" (read bootleg) but not on any legit releases. I think it was also available on a 45rpm single.)

Personally, I think most music industry people and even a lot of musicians have got their heads so far up their asses about remixes, filesharing, sampling, and the like that they can't see how all of these make the world a better place for all of them and us.

And the last bit of ranting I've got to do is to say, if you don't want "off topic" posts you should stick to visiting websites or read NME or something. Any list that sticks to something as dull as one band isn't worth a shit. The delete button is quick and painless. At least the recent bunch of "off topic" posts have been funny and witty and informative as opposed to fifty fucking posts a day asking "Where's my BOB XX?!?" THAT was a waste of fucking time. But you didn't hear me bitching about it, did you? No, you didn't.