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
das.Mordschaf: Its just GREAT <3
Capitaine: Crazyyy! It's just the original tune atmosphere. Many thanks for this :)
Kaitain: I really like this. It starts off sounding like it's going to be a bit pedestrian, but really starts to fly by the second minute.
92%
Zilog: This is AWESOME!
mfe: To take something so simple and make it this atmospheric requires skill. Kudos!
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.
93%
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
condor: Agreed with ommoroca - wonderful!
countzorg: Shimmering
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
tomhol: Excellent! Old recalls are so strong pouring tears into my eyes...
emrebulsat: ... 1:51-1:54 seconds are finishing me... Excellent rock versiyon....
zjebur: Excellent!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
cyphax: Why is there still only ONE song from Tonka? I sure would love to hear more like this, cause this is, for me, still about perfect.
Dr Hambone: Absolutely perfect from start to finish apart from the snare build up at 1. 15 which I find a bit over the top. Well done. This is my favourite remix I've heard!!!
TNT: Even after 10 years this amazing track is still one of the best. It survived the hard selection of remixes and can still be located in my iPod.:)
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
madrigal: Wonderful remix, DHS is a guarantee for quality!;)
plokolp: Love this. 2 tunes in one.
aero: Simply gorgeous
91%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Sodden: Love it!!!
chosc: This is my favourite song here on remix. Kwed. Org
Fhood: Excellent
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
Tas: Sexy sexy vocals
LMan: Beautiful! And so intellectually superior.:)
Nebdar: There is something magic in this because it made me start signing
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
ricky: !
Dumper: Absolutely stunning.
Chili-Man: A Masterpiece!!!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
ulfepulf: Love it!
Makke: Together with Reyn Ouwehands Deflector, this tune defines the perfect Commodore 64 remix.
wipu: The perfect energizer, you just cannot stay still.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Supergrobi123: Ooooooutstanding, man!!!
chabee: Fantastic!
TNT: Since 8 years it's a pleasure listening to this and it's still one of my favorites.
93%
Dan: Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy!
bar: The art of Vangelis+The sound of Neuronium+The touch of Suzanne Ciani=one of the best tune on RKO
Mordi: Lovely rendition of a nice tune
91%
Year 2004
lonegunman: Very Epical... Outstanding, of course!
Mitch van Hayden: Classis meets Dance! And it really works. Great tune!
Chappers: Yet another masterpiece from Glyn. He is the new Jerry Goldsmith!
97%
inqisit0r: Awesome, marcel got my attention after listening to "something stranger"
ifadeo: Nothing wrong with this remix, near perfection.... Great work marcel...
Waz: This is easily the best mix of Sweet, and for one reason: it's kept all the emotion that the C64 original had, and added plenty of good timed instruments (got to love the guitar work there). It's utterly brilliant and gets my vote as remix of 2004 so far
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
Sodden: Stunning!!! Top ten! Great Work..
tEiS: Very well done. Rob Hubbard meets Enigma!! ... Pretty ace, mate.. Pretty ace!!
lolicon: FANTASTIC!!!!!!! BRAVO!!!!!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
slaygon: Such a hilarious song, that I couldn't hold myself from doing my own version of it!
Dan: Outstanding, Makke is one of the few remixers who constantly turn out quality and original pieces.... More please
vernest: ;) Quite original!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
load_error: Splendid.
ifadeo: F**k'n brilliant! OUTSTANDING!
jemym: Good lord. In an effort to find the most annoying song ever, this Microprose Soccer subtune won... I used to torture my sister with it when I lived back home, and you made a cover of it. And it sounds good!8)
93%
kjetiln: Speachless
Waz: This is a bit good to say the least. Lovely use of guitar for the lead parts, which convey just the right amount of emotion. And plenty of gentle and neat touches to make it a beautiful emotional piece. Download it. Now.
infamous: Total change in style for glyn.. Gone are the orchestra's replaced with sultry synths and plonk noises and aint it just beautiful :)
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
humorguy: I am from London, UK. Was lucky to be 2 years in NY in the 80's this is what you could have heard on the radio, driving up the coast to Marblehead. Brilliant.
Big Dawg: Cor blimey!!! This track goes from superb to incredible. The strings at the end just knock me down with a feather.
the_jinx: One of the best remixes ever.. I have a lot of late 80's early 90's feelings pop up evrytime I play it..
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
weasel: He did it AGAIN!! That piano definitely _rocks_!! The lead is a bit 'special' indeed. Maybe there could be still some enhancements though! V2 release? ;-) But nevertheless. This _is_ a RED one again for sure!
LaLa: That piano is just full of emotions - fantastic stuff! I am truly moved by it. The overly thin lead kicking in at 1:19 is a weak point of this remix, but it is more than offset by the emotional content of the rest of it.
nickenstien: WOW!! This is fantastic, have been listening on a loop all day! One of those tunes that when it is finished you need to hear the start again, and then the middle and end again, so you just play it over and over. AWESOME MOOG!!!
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
jemym: Another legend from Machine Supremacy
Dr. Bongo: I REALLY like this. I`m jelous of the guitar work, wish mine was up to that standard.
Nebdar: GLORIOUS
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
Cifu1978: Perfect. Cannot express more plainly.
Zilog: Unbelievably cool. Period.
boessu: Just outstanding work.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
k_rostoen: What Skitz said.
Skitz: Dafunk needs a god damn recording contract! Everything he is producing lately is seriously good and commercially viable!
Waz: Now this is lovely. Not only does it really have that flow and feeling of the original but it develops on it without being too obtrusive. Another winner from DaFunk.
93%
pmorph: Godly stuff! Keep on going!!
eliot: Thiz time he got it right...
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)
dafunk: Very interesting take. Thanks!:)
redhot: A little late, I just discovered this following Mordi remix on youtube. Wonderful
jtgibson: I find it somewhat disturbing that I like this song so much. The lyrics are so well done, and I normally *hate* lyrics!
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
spellcoder: Bit of '90 Cappella en some Scooter style
Nada: Nice!!!
Ishma: Excellent!!!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
condor: Bravo! Althought I hate hats, Ilove sound selection.
Varan: Builds up the mood very nicely the first minutes and then releases a nice melody. Very dreamy indeed. The ending feels a bit "flat" though.
Amok: Just great...
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
_steve_: Torn between orange and red..... Red wins :) This tune is really fantastic.
Ziphoid: I don't know what to say. This is just pure perfection.
condor: Brilliant!
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
mfe: Poignant in its simplicity, this piece that could have easily become boring to listen carries you all the way through on a journey that never gets tedious.
TNT: This is my ALL TIME favorite remix! Very emotional. I just love it!
Amok: ! Loves
96%
Dumper: Stunning, and a beautiful use of sounds.
XxDUSTYxX: Thumbs up! This one is brilliant!
_steve_: I love this laid back style. Great mix Mordi!
94%
YEAR 2010
mfe: Love the execution of this version.
Zieman: Better every time you listen to this. You can hear the emotion :thumbsup:
xo: OMFG - a masterpiece!:-)
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!:)
Zilog: Exquisite!
Dees Productions: Great pads, sweet leads, fresh bassline, fine percussions = Lovely choon! Can't wait for your next masterwork! Respect.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
hillsman: Some of the leads aren't great, but this is an otherwise awesome compendium of some top LN tracks. Not a huge electric guitar fan, but it sounds great here!
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.
Danceaway: Love it, top mix and it blends through each track perfectly, looking forward to seeing you guys live at somepoint in the future... Keep it up guys!!!
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
LMan: The name's Funk. Moog Funk.
Dees Productions: Are you serious? Really, man this made me want to pack that pipe with thart jazzy stuff and sit that lounge all night in'. Wow what a jazzmeister! Lovin' this!
nettuno: Excellent, melody, arrangement and a style unique. WOW!
93%
omoroca: Wonderful, as always! Mordi=Jogeir? Added to my collection.
Ryrynz: Once again Mordi delivers us beautiful sounds.
Melaure: Excellent work again, and as unreal says with a touch fo Amiga! Congratulations!
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Musoman: This was MY favourite Ocean Loader, brilliant
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!
Foxfield: I want to see a movie with this one in it's soundtrack.
93%
YEAR 2012
zajos: :) :) :) Sounds amazing! Up to date, pro sound still reminds me of the original era.
NecroPolo: The famous Mordifier plug-in made justice again :) Awesome work. Although I couldn't listen to it through my reference speakers yet, I can hear some extra pleasant warmth compared to your previous tracks even through these little multimedia speakers.
Rubenbs: Great. Just great.
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Frida Katarina: Wow! I heard this and wondered if it was Steve Morse on the guitar. Made me happy!
Slayer: Now, thats music!:)
Aule: MONSTER!
94%
teo: Great remix, has it all what's needed!
chabee: Great as it is!
Vaggelis Papadopoulos: Amazing and powerfull Remix NecroPolo!! Kudos brother!!
94%
YEAR 2013
horizoner: Really Outstanding!
Slayer: Nice work.
Marcus: Great, awesome! Wall Of Sound like Razmo said before!
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
eisei: Love the video too
p2: Love it! Just like all the other work of LukHash!
AmiC64: For me the BEST Remixer EVER!!!! ZAJEBISTE!!!!!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
gol: Had to search for my password to login, because this is dope and it had to be said
weasel: Yeah!!! What LMAN said!!! :-DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
omoroca: Brilliant! Amazing! This year's summer smash hit! Added to my collection.
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
betelzeus: Dark and Gritty... Ditto NiN.... Cool man
druu: Outstanding indeed! From the very first version to this piece of gold, it just keeps getting better! Chills well deserved.
khisanth: GREAT stuff indeed.
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
thomassd: Cool!
Zilog: Goosebumps everytime!
Snake1: Excellent!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
LMan: Markus Schneider is back, better than ever.
speedy: He's back with really top notch orchestration and mega pro hollywood sound. I waited soo long for a new release. More please!
Danceaway: Markus.... This is just simply STUNNING mate... And you have moved up in the Orchestra arrangements for sure, love your past work but this is just STUNNING.... Well done
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Kate Eternal: Incredible remix!
Jojje70: Incredible. Touching. Inspiring. Simply beautiful...
druu: Bass came in and so did the goosebumps! Insta-Red. 'Nuff said!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
XxDUSTYxX: Great work! Very enjoyable!
LaLa: Lovely arrangement, Western-style oriental ambience done right.
NecroPolo: All I can say, it nailed the feel of the original to the bone. Goosebumper.
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
Ryrynz: Wow, that's quite the remix.
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
JChambers: Amazing work!
94%
YEAR 2016
symbols: Most Excellent Sir! Bodayshus!
KoYamaRo: Extremly Nice :-) Sounds nice to me....
MatrixRevolution: I Love Cybernoid!
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
finnr: Awesome. Has been on repeat for more than an hour now :)
Kate Eternal: Perfect remix!!
Tomsk: So much fun to listen to! Excellent
94%
Dr.Piotr: Leds dance!!! Greats!
hillsman: Catchy! Quality!!
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.
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
chabee: Great work guys!
ZetaNicco: Your Will Be Doneeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
DJs. DoMoDo: Great remix music :-)
97%
nummer2: The whole idea of this remix is just genuis and fresh I wish it was 1-2 minutes longer and it would have been perfect
Ryrynz: Would like something more like Apollo2k's version but no denying the quality of this.
Double_maggic: Listen - vote - repeat...:)
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
LMan: Super sweet rock ballad. All thumbs up!
DSMarine: This tune always hits me in my weak spot, and this version is superb!!
lubber: Perfect cover! Thanks for those 3, 5 minutes!
96%
Anthony Walters: Awesome! - Hollywood is calling...
Tas: WOW! Love the angry yet calm feel. Markus, this is sooo good. Thank you for sharing this.:)
WizardOz: Epic!
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
JChambers: LOVE IT!
hillsman: Unbelievable. Please do a Ghouls 'n' Ghosts album!!
Amon73: Uno dei migliori che ho ascoltato qui :) Ci vorrebbero più FastLoaders nel mondo :) Perfetto!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
C64_Gamer: Love the 2002 version and now I love this too
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.
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
97%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
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
speedy: EDIT: Great stuff after several listenings and better than first one.
98%
rnuls: Fantastic song from Jogeir
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do... Whoa.
PixelGrinch: Outstanding Remix! THANK YOU, Jogier
97%
YEAR 2020
Paulie68000: One of my all time favourite arcade pieces; I love the seamless blend of genres from the opening strings to the guitar break near the end. Pure class.
peterparker: Nice and fitting guitar solo!
Murdock: A really lovely great work, Peter :)
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
tw1l1ght: Wow! You guys better be careful not being 'asked' to get a permit from the community before being allowed to submit more entries in that trio -> Puts each of your best sides into a complete package of awesomeness! <3 @3:30 - SO Slaygons part!;)
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
MatrixRevolution: Amazing!
Bistecca104: Wow! Just WOW!
JLD: Superb!
94%
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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