2014–present · 6581 Records
Reformation
Five albums of orchestral and electronic reinterpretations of Matt Gray's C64 catalogue - funded by the community that kept the music alive. Available on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms.
Crowdfunding the Return
In 2014, Matt Gray launched the Reformation crowdfunding campaign - a proposal to reinterpret his C64 SID catalogue in a modern orchestral and electronic production framework. The campaign was funded by the community of C64 fans who had carried the original SID music through two decades.
The timing was significant. Gray had been absent from game music for over twenty years, working in commercial dance music production. His return, when it came, was complete: not a one-off release but a sustained series, built through crowdfunding and released through his own label, 6581 Records - named after the MOS 6581 SID chip that defined his original work.
As part of the Reformation return, Gray released the Last Ninja 2 C64 SID source code under a Creative Commons licence - allowing the community to study, adapt, and build upon the original 6502 assembly language player routines. The source code is available from the resources page.
Gray also contributed music to Thrust 30 by Hayesmaker Games - a 30th anniversary remake of the classic Thrust game - demonstrating continued engagement with the retro gaming community beyond the Reformation catalogue.
The Reformation Albums
All five albums are commercially released. Purchase and stream directly through the links below. No embedded streaming is provided without authorisation from the artist.
Reformation
The debut volume. Orchestral and electronic reinterpretations of Last Ninja 2, Quedex, Hunter's Moon, Driller, and further Grey SID compositions. Kickstarter-funded by the C64 community following Gray's 23-year absence from game music.
Formats: Digital (Bandcamp), CD
Label: 6581 Records
Reformation II
Second volume continuing the reinterpretation with expanded orchestration. New arrangements and deeper production treatment of the SID catalogue.
Reformation III
Third volume. Deepens treatment of the System 3 material - Last Ninja 2 arrangements drawing on both classical and contemporary electronic production.
Reformation IV
Fourth volume. Includes the Codemasters-era material - Treasure Island Dizzy, Micro Machines, and related titles - alongside Thalamus catalogue reimaginings.
Reformation V
Fifth and most recent volume. The ongoing creative reinterpretation of the Gray SID catalogue for modern listening - the series continues to expand.
Other Modern Work
Last Ninja 2 Source Code
Gray released the original Last Ninja 2 C64 SID source code - 6502 assembly language player routines and music data - under a Creative Commons licence. A remarkable act of openness, allowing the community to study the architecture of his most celebrated work. Available from HVSC and the ChipMusic.org community.
Thrust 30
Gray contributed music to Thrust 30, a 30th anniversary remake of the classic Thrust game by Hayesmaker Games - demonstrating his continued engagement with the retro gaming community beyond the Reformation catalogue. See @MattGrayC64 for details.