Christmas Special Editorial: 20 years of RKO (The charts revisited)
Published: 24/12/2020 by Neil Carr
In the year 2000 Jan Lund Thomsen's RKO (remix.kwed.org) was born. Finally, a resource that enabled remixers to uploaded their remixes for the world to enjoy. Before that time the remixing scene were made up of several websites spread around the internet. Finding these sites and jumping around from one to another was a painful and a somewhat chaotic experience. Over the years RKO would establish itself to be the one stop shop to get your c64 remix fix. In this Christmas editorial special we go back through the years and present the top 3 remixes voted by our readers from each year to the current day. So grab a cuppa sit back and enjoy whilst we take you on a nostalgia trip. Oh! and if you haven't voted yet on these remixes here's a chance to do so. Happy Christmas everyone.
*Ratings are correct at the time of publish. Ratings subject to varience should votes be cast.
YEAR: 2000
RoJ: Outstanding is just the right word for this remix!!
das.Mordschaf: Its just GREAT ❤️
cinemaniac: Perhaps the best remix of this, the best C64 theme out there ever!
92%
Zilog: This is AWESOME!
soppa: Absolutely stunning remix, so simple (as the sid) but yet so eerie and deep feel to it, also love the selection of ambient sounds in this.
mfe: To take something so simple and make it this atmospheric requires skill. Kudos!
92%
countzorg: Shimmering
Melaure: Excellent, I have found Jarre's fealings in this tune 😃
john4p: Brilliant.
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
kokakoda: The best guitar rendition of a SID tune, ever. Period.
thepiano: On of my favourite
GlenBenton: Rocks like hell!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
decibel: Lovely, the fade out at the end is sublime
Tpmccusker: OOOF, good start! It's so fun and wild, it reflects the original so well!
NecroPolo: A masterwork on a masterpiece. Period.
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
plokolp: Love this. 2 tunes in one.
madrigal: Wonderful remix, DHS is a guarantee for quality!😉
aero: Simply gorgeous
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
cosmic_gerbil: This is way cool… It reminds me of Lord of the Rings somehow
amfr: This is great!
raiden: Fucking Awesome! Glyn Keep this up will ya 😉
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
Mordi: Outstanding.
NecroPolo: Awesome one!
Tasslehoff: Through the Soul
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Nebdar: When you listen you think thats some movie trailer music. Outstanding 😊
lonegunman: Really Cool. You do not hear the Synthi… Wonderful!!!
ricky: Wow!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
drax: Goose Bump alarm… One of the best remixes ever imo!
saulc12: Slicker than a very slick thing in the middle of an oil slick and love that lead sound
condor: You know, othere remixes were great but this remix is historical.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
TNT: Since 8 years it's a pleasure listening to this and it's still one of my favorites.
humorguy: I give this an Outstanding, because it Satnds Out from the rest by quite a margin. Excellent.
chabee: Fantastic!
93%
jelly: Hauntingly haunting.
myicq: This one on repeat, in a flight across the atlantic against the sunset. Simply awesome!
Chainsaw: Very great
91%
Year 2004
lonegunman: Very Epical… Outstanding, of course!
PICRARD: Wow what a theme!!! Great!!!
robertmekis: Well, this one can compete in radio TOP10
97%
placio74: Brilliant!!!
raiden: JUst So SWEET! Cant say anything els Good Job 😉
Ryrynz: One the best remixes I've ever heard, I wish there was a higher bitrate version available.
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
esg: I love this song and the two musician too!
vert1: Win!
Ziphoid: Still, after all these years - this is simply beautiful!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
romeo_knight: This is simply amazing! Makke, it's an honour to be beaten by you!
karter: Woooow… This is it…
deleyt: Excellent!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
Melaure: Very relaxing
romeo_knight: Yes, I have to admit this is a little bit FANTASTIC! 😉 (though I wouldn't have done the double time drums in the end)
Danceaway: Well I think this AMAZING remix is going to push G. R. Brown's Rastan remix for the NO. 1 spot for all time C64 remixes, though I think RASTAN still has that edge BUT ONLY JUST, Will buy you a beer or 2 in September M D!!!
93%
anaconda: Oh, My, God. Congratulations!
boonz: Turn out the lights, stick the headphones on, close your eyes and listen to the music. So relaxing. Superb stuff this is!!
prowler: Wonderful as always by Glyn. Mmm, the Recovery has been on my SID-playlist for 20 years now, which does not make things worse. Thanks Glyn!
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
TNT: I like the combination of the synths and the guitar and I love 80s style. Simply stunning!
xgener8or: AWESOME!!! I've been waiting for a decent remix of this title, and this is absolutely gorgeous.
Jim Power: What else could I say… Brilliant track!
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
Caboose: Groovey baby!
chilli_uk: Its ok for a POLAK! LOL Gratuluję ;- Moog as you see my polish is getting better - this is my fav tune of yours Na Zdrowie
jaytee: BRILLIANT! Love it. Even the shrill synth (shrill was the point, surely). This is exactly how I would have remixed this (had I any talent).
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
DMC: Pheeew. What can I say? This one is dope! 8:17 - 10:22 kicks ass!!! Mixing is sometimes a bit messy but nothing I can´t live with. Outstanding vote for outstanding work!!!
XxDUSTYxX: THAT's what I call a masterpiece!
gforg: Great song!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
dream_19: This is ultimate!
klosterkatten: Wait, what was it reyn said once, im not that good with guitar 😃? Allow me to chuckle.
mfe: A birlliant mix that does more than justice to the original.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
chilli_uk: In the past you have been guilty of mastering issues - I cant fault this years work and this is AWESOME
Skitz: Dafunk needs a god damn recording contract! Everything he is producing lately is seriously good and commercially viable!
NecroPolo: Not my style but it's perfectly done.
93%
eliot: Thiz time he got it right…
maverickbna: Another great one from Dafunk! Keep up the good work!
infamous: There is nothing this man touches that doesnt turn to gold, absolutely stunning tune.
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
chilli_uk: How the hell can you slow down a tune and actually come close to maxing it - Makke is correct the autotuner is a problem, but if I could mark it - it would be 99% - jesus its cool, crisp original, and in its entirity weird but fun - what a package
nummer2: What can I say its Mordi time again 😃 Nice to see that you read the song in a several way as Anthonys The Past Remix.
baztd: Fantastic. I love it!
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
jailbird: Dafunk for teh win! /me dances
Dr-Duke: Is it just me, or seems there to be a little Boz-train after the beginning? *smiles* Besides joking, very nice track Dafunk. Personally I most love the intro on this one.
Mayhem: If my brother likes it then it has to be good… Stonking way to kick off 2008!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
condor: Bravo! Althought I hate hats, Ilove sound selection.
Makke: All I can say is: Propper job, Peter! Very well done.
exo: Once again you deliver, Peter. 😀 Effortless flowing musical energy.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Makke: An obvious candidate for C64 Remix of the Year in my opinion. Absolutelly brilliant!
drm: Outstanding remix from a pro musician!
pj: You took me by surprise. Very powerful and original interpretation.
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
ulfepulf: Beautiful! A bit more dynamic piano, and this is perfect.
dragonkiss: Briliant remix
condor: Reminded me to Kitaro's masterpieces… And My immortal. Beautifull arrangeemnt.
96%
Shark: Yes great work really liked it better then all these dance tracks of late and I can never get enough ocean loader remixs so cheers!
mace: Damn, another masterpiece to the Mordi collection to play during those long drives alone. Love the purity how all is put together.
Danceaway: Best oceanloader remix I've heard… Very nice
94%
YEAR 2010
Mischue: Just chilling…
eliot: Congratulation, this is really great!
Mbraze: Awesome remake with awesome guitar solo!
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Unreal: Yeaa! It is a great remix now!! I loves the feel, and the various elements and samples in the music! Congratulations, I am waitin' the next one, my friend!😊
Metal_VIB: Pure porn! A tad too mellow for my taste though, but a really good arrangement of the track.
TheZee: A beautiful blend of sounds! You've got real talent mate, keep up the good work!😀
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
Makke: Standing ovations from me. Only one complaint: The drums sound way too flat, static and thin for this heavy track.
Arne: All in all a very good sounding remake of different Last Ninja musics. Thumbs up for this music!
Spite: A very good (and unique) remix of Last Ninja tunes. A but flat on the drums and the bass could go up a bit, but the uniqueness of the remix still makes it one of the best rock-remixes so far this year.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
NecroPolo: _steve_: Someone needs to grow taste or ears, maybe both 😊 I'd really appreciate some explanation coming with bad rating instead of trolling with no name. That's coward in a way, eh?
LMan: The name's Funk. Moog Funk.
Melaure: What a wonderfull piece of Jazz. Sax, guitar,. … Not far from perfection!
93%
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Poppykuk: Love it! (and the other one LOL)
YogibearRenoise: This sounds really great and is now one of my favs of RKO! Could you please make an orchestral version of song 1 in HVSC of Tai-Pan? That's my fav sid of you! Thanks for this!
Unzen: Excellent tune - memories come flooding back 😊. Top work!
93%
YEAR 2012
Chordian: Absolutely wonderful remix. The chorus bits invoke true frisson.
finnr: Love it. Funky as the original, all the effects added are spot on. One of my fav sids, and now one of my fav RKOs.
_steve_: Fantastic version of this classic drax sid
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
drm: Awesome. Reminds me of Joe Satriani!!!
Chainsaw: Wow!
Slayer: Now, thats music!😊
94%
Vaggelis Papadopoulos: Amazing and powerfull Remix NecroPolo!! Kudos brother!!
Ryrynz: Love it.
mfe: I'm not a metal fan per se, but I know when it is well done. This is well done.
94%
YEAR 2013
Slayer: Nice work.
Marcus: Great, awesome! Wall Of Sound like Razmo said before!
betelzeus: NIiiice! Can listen to this all day
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
XxDUSTYxX: Outstanding Remix! |m|
weasel: LukHash is a BLAAAST!!! 😃 Really, really cool stuff he's doing here! KEEP ON GOING, pal! *Thumbs UP!*
L0rd3vyL: My favorite remix of this tune. Good job, LukHASH!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
omoroca: Brilliant! Amazing! This year's summer smash hit! Added to my collection.
JLD: Amazing remix!!
weasel: Yeah!!! What LMan said!!! 😃😃😃
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
NecroPolo: Evil 😊
Jojje70: Awesome guitars, very well produced with lots of atmosphere!
Worped: Absolutely epic!
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
DJNutzZ: YES!!!
thomassd: Cool!
K8-bit: Beautiful. Hairs on the back of neck rising kind of good. Please do more Last Ninja themes like this!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
LaLa: Cinematic! Epic! Orchestral! Welcome back, Markus!!!
The SIE: Well, what more can I say when everything is already said. OUTSTANDING.
Blackstar: Love it - count me in for next tour
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Zatuffli: Describe emotions with music. I am excited! Simply brilliant! Good Work!
L0rd3vyL: What an amazing mix. Early favorite for Best C64 remix for 2015. Can't wait to see what this year has in store.
NecroPolo: This track is made of harmony, musicality and honour. Maximum respect, man!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
NecroPolo: All I can say, it nailed the feel of the original to the bone. Goosebumper.
ChrisBond: Really good!!!
ChrisLo: Wow! Perfect piece, arragement, sounds, ambient!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
JChambers: Amazing work!
JustPhreak: Awesome job!!
mfe: Takes a few too many liberties with the melody for my liking, but it's well mixed.
94%
YEAR 2016
Sokratekk: Would fit in any Italo Disco set… Great!
Dr.Piotr: Best guitar by Imany and god action on the bass
Shark: Superb remix and liked the Cybernoid 1 part towards the end. Great stuff!
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
finnr: Awesome. Has been on repeat for more than an hour now 😊
symbols: So Pulp Fiction! 😃
Sanjo Ride: Loved this, was juming around in my seat
94%
Dr.Piotr: Leds dance!!! Greats!
NecroPolo: Despite that I hate dancing and dreamy stuff to quite a high degree I'd be a fool not to see the values of this quality track. Great work and a floor filler contender on a demoscene party.
verm71: Exquisitely produced thumpy dance track!
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
Sascha Michael Theel: Outstanding!!! I love it!!!😀
Flyingsaucer: Wonderful!!! Very Very Nice!!!
Amiga4eveR: Superb!
97%
redhot: Awesome, especially the bass line
Shargo: MRT and Danko o/ O/ o/
Ryrynz: Would like something more like Apollo2k's version but no denying the quality of this.
94%
Etsit: Summer cruise!
Ryrynz: Ahh it's beautiful.
StormChild: My favorite remix of Albedo alongside with RunStop64's version(s)!
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
nettuno: Grest execution, with a very good improvvisati in????
Jojje70: Crisp and very well produced with nice improvs!
Mordi: Awesome rendition. Superb guitar work!
96%
nous: Amazing!
marcel: Is there a superlative for epic? If there is, than this remix is it! Amazing bit of work Sir!
Ryrynz: I still like x-formz one a bit more but this is great. Can we get a FLAC please?
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
LaLa: Straight off their Progressive 64 album. Superb there, superb here.
Ryrynz: Professional. Excellent.
JChambers: LOVE IT!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
bastard: Absolutely wonderful arrangement!
Marcus: I still love Glyn's version after all these years(2002)! It's almost impossible to improve his fantastic version or his Times of Lore. Your choir Peter fits perfectly your remix and I got goose bumps. Very Well Done! Both versions are just great for me.
Poppykuk: Great arrangement. Keeps the atmosphere of the original but sounds huge.
97%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
Tas: It's Glyn and his name is the new word for better than epic! So, This is full of Glynness!😃
Ryrynz: Love this but prefer the 2002 version's overall expression, just needs a remix up to this level of quality and boom… Masterpiece.
SID-Spieler: Epic Tune
98%
Mordi: Dane meets Liljedahl! Highly enjoyable!
omoroca: After 20 seconds I knew I have to vote Outstanding. Because… It is. Great job!
c64glen: Outstanding. Unfamiliar with the original but there Pink's Who Knew in there.
97%
YEAR 2020
Murdock: A really lovely great work, Peter 😊
NecroPolo: Lovely stuff Peter! I love the guitar playing especially.
hillsman: A worthy best remix winner IMHO - very special indeed.
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
NecroPolo: Welcome to the movie 😊
MagicMosher: You guys should absolutely keep up the work together the harmony between the 3 styles of music takes me on a journey
Marcus: I can't remember the game but wow what a score!. If this great track is 3rd place what is 2nd and 1st in the remix competition.
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Mordi: SIDNIFY = Quality. Punchy track!
Ryrynz: Doesn't get much better than this, it's got all the elements of a top notch remix, love the fresh new SID sound, what an evolution! Holy shit @3:00, bro we need more remixes from you here!
JLD: Superb!
95%
People, we should considder ourselves lucky to be part of a community diverse enough to cover everything from the solitary hobbyist with a copy of Fruityloops to an 80-piece symphonic orchestra. The solitary remixer can afford to be out of pocket on a remix since the music isn’t his/her day job - the professional musician doesn’t have that luxury. Dismissing one over the other isn’t a way to take the hobby in new directions. If you prefer the freely available renditions, that’s fine by me - but don’t knock commercial efforts simply for having a cost. No one is in this to get rich.
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