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
Nebdar: Very good atmosphere build up and orchestral arrangment. Brilliant play and great work
Wilfred: I have listenea t least 50 times, but still very enjoying experience. Simply brilliant piece of music!
condor: Never commented this one... With Zoids, I think it can von title of your best remix.
92%
Zilog: This is AWESOME!
Nebdar: This tune has sole and purpose... Similar to the Twin peaks Tv series tune
t0ester: Brilliant!!
93%
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
humorguy: Oh sorry fell up from somewhere really nice. Big fat red one!
Melaure: Excellent, I have found Jarre's fealings in this tune :D
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
Tas: Groundbreaking!
Mauz: Almost made me cry.. Yeah.. That good ^^
witzzard: This simply rockxxxx :)
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
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!!!
REYN: Best energy, best buildup, best drum programming EVER!!! Gigantic!!
Heshan: I LOVE this version and play it loud in my tesla
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
chairmankaga: One of my favourite SID remixes.
legus: Gooood!!!
aero: Simply gorgeous
91%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Gunhed: How good is this!
amfr: This is great!
Mitch van Hayden: What could I say? Give me more like this!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
EricF: Man, this is a haunting remix with some awesome rhythm in the second half.
tazuk: Unbelievably good :o)
LMan: Beautiful! And so intellectually superior.:)
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Dumper: Absolutely stunning.
ricky: !
humorguy: This is awesome. The first stirrings of a what has become a GREAT mixer.
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
Zilog: No "trouble" here whatsoever, great track!
JCM Leader: Awesome
vernest: This is an all time favourite of mine, and this version is so close to perfect. Making the most of the already fab original sid.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
soppa: Marvelous remix, the production is of course excellent but this is just so well thought out it's bound to stay on my playlist for a long long time.
lolicon: Love Vangelis, love this tune! Very well composed. This delivers!
snorski: Epic
93%
jelly: Hauntingly haunting.
mz1453: Sounds like Kitaro! Relaxing, clear and yet powerful!
Mordi: Lovely rendition of a nice tune
92%
Year 2004
97%
Tomsk: Aye lad - this is indeed lovely
LaLa: Vangelis meets Sweet - the result is so good, I think it's even more emotional than the original... Wow...
NecroPolo: I still like the original SID better - but hey, what a piece of synth art...! It captures the essence.
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
liontamer: I agree, a true stunner of a mix. I liked it initially, but the texture really grows on you over time. Very hot work.
hispeed: An enigmaish layed back voyage into sound.. One of my faves of your tunes really :)
chosc: I loved the game human race and also your mix!!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
weasel: Haha!! GREAT version!! Reminds me of certain mahoney tracks, too!! :-D
karter: Woooow.... This is it....
firefox: Thumbs up!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
ifadeo: F**k'n brilliant! OUTSTANDING!
ahovland: Don't have words:)
Chainsaw: Very great
93%
boonz: Turn out the lights, stick the headphones on, close your eyes and listen to the music. So relaxing. Superb stuff this is!!
raiden: Outstanding GREAT! Welcome Back Glyn! Good to hear That he's still alive! Great Mix.^^
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.
psybass: <3
andy_mitchelluk: Brilliant. Takes me back to the old days again! A*****
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
olla: Simply great!! Keep it up Moogie...
Caboose: Groovey baby!
jokesoldier: Makes me surprisingly very happy!
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
NecroPolo: Badass! \m/,
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!!!
Sargon: Really nice Sid Metal!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
Waz: Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
RayF: One of my fav five all-time-tunes. Saw the video on youtube, great! Can´t judge the technical stuff here, I am just listening, again and again. If songs sound great, I just want to appreciate them. Back to childhood :-)
dream_19: This is ultimate!
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
infamous: Brilliant. Nothing else needs to be said.
bratac: Excellent, it has melody and yet is trancy.
sidbrowser: Great to listen while driving in my car! Top Remix!
93%
tonywestonuk: Fantastic.... Have you considered posting to http://www.garageband.com/genre/trance - Cus, this remix is far to good to be kept just in the c64 remix community
Ryrynz: Hawt stuff.
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)
bunker: The first time I thought it was a silly little thing but I grew to love it and now think it's epic. Love the digital effects on the vocals.
mace: True Jewel, love your pure perfect style in the mixes, more please!
Agemixer: Lovely! Good arrangement & everything, your best remix so far. My humble individual vote for this individual tune, not affected by anyone above (to make it clear). Balancing votes recognized, not fair. Kids...
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
Trace: How are you not signed yet?? This is commercial quality, GREAT! :D
Danceaway: Starts 08 as he left 07... Top stuff and the sounds are bang on, along with top mixing... Keep it up Master Dafunk......
Agemixer: Nicely advancing one, good development since the original which is awesome aswell! I just love all the melodic "silent moments" in the middle and especially all those dafunk style, strong low modulation sounds.. Kickass!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
Dr-Duke: Very well done Peter W! (Not my fault but I love trance) :)
Makke: All I can say is: Propper job, Peter! Very well done.
Zilog: Simply PERFECT
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Maegnuz: The perfect movie soundtrack, but not really worth listening to repeatedly and by itself. Nevertheless needs a full score!
infamous: Absolutely amazing tune, been waiting for a while for this to be put up here. Hans zimmer would cry if he heard this.. Sheer tears of joy.
NecroPolo: Although I like IK+ remix better and orchestra is not for me, objectively, I admit that this is excellence itself and a perfect nominee for the all-times #1. BTW, greetings to Suckho ;) Eftos: you must be kidding...
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
inqisit0r: Ive changed my review of this song twice. Ive given it mediocre "criticisms", but hearing it 5 times.. UNBELIEVEABLE! But why? 1 note off pitch in so many places and it would flop. Its so simple, how is it so beautiful?
Alucard: Pulls you in a trance and keeps you floating.
ulfepulf: Beautiful! A bit more dynamic piano, and this is perfect.
96%
condor: Very nice remix... Can listen it all day long.
Kate Eternal: Out-stan-ding!
AdSalusNonAptus: BUILT-IN INSTANT GOOSEBUMP FEATURE! FREAKING AWESOME!!!!
94%
YEAR 2010
Ryrynz: Awesome, though I still prefer Marcel Donne's version. His background tune adds alot of oomph and this ones a bit blippy. This tune instead focuses on the lead and thats what makes this tune get a red.
xo: OMFG - a masterpiece!:-)
omoroca: Gibs rules! Added to my collection.
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Mitch van Hayden: Superb!
Karmar: Beautiful
C64ever: Really good this, nice and mellow to listen too.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
Arne: All in all a very good sounding remake of different "Last Ninja" musics. Thumbs up for this music!
weasel: Wow! Truly _outstanding_, indeed!!! Thank you _very_, very much!! :-D
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)
Karmar: Bad? Why? It's amazing cover! THX moog!
chabee: The sax plays amazing! Nice work!
nettuno: Excellent, melody, arrangement and a style unique. WOW!
93%
Dees Productions: The perfect mix of a perfect song. Like to drizzle honey all over the floor and just roll around!
chabee: Nice Re-Remix :)
YogibearRenoise: Great as almost always!
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Pandarific: I absolutely LOVE THIS!
MattMaybee: Wow! Really different but really good!
karl_xii: Fantastic, gives me the shivers when listening
93%
YEAR 2012
ZnL: Awesome, good work!
omoroca: Wrong chords from your 2008 version have been fixed. Good work! This tune is just as good as moog's outstanding version. Added to my collection.
drax: That is an excellent remix of one my oldies :)... Quite like the intro of it :)... Very well done - I am so flattered that you remix so many of my sids :)
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
drax: Pure awesomeness!!!! One of the best remixes I have heard ;)
Ryrynz: Epic.
Peter W: Ridiculous! If you cant feel this...
94%
bordeaux: Great tribute, awesome guitars - thanks a lot!
drm: Love the guitars!!! Awesome!!!
werdy: Sorry but I can't be objective - original sid is one of my favorite music and this remix is OUTSTANDING. Pure energy everywhere.
94%
YEAR 2013
Slayer: Nice work.
Dees Productions: Impressive work there mate! You really managed to capture the "OMP" sound and made it sounds like JMJ! :) Right on there!
Nebdar: You hit my soft spot witthis remix too great job
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
AmiC64: For me the BEST Remixer EVER!!!! ZAJEBISTE!!!!!
Crono: Masterpiece!
JustPhreak: Solid and powerful remix! Thumbs up, LukHash!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
LMan: Wow this is some serious billboard-charts-wothy summer pop!!
ziona: Awesome piece, very pleasant, I am addicted to it, looping all day!
weasel: Yeah!!! What LMAN said!!! :-DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
NecroPolo: Evil :)
Mordi: Very nice soundscape! Not familiar with the original tune.
LaLa: Grungy, metallic, dirty. Just like war. I can just see the platoon marching through the muddy jungle. Very, very well done!
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
omoroca: Best R:K:O upload in months! Although this sounds unfinished somehow! Is there any more of this? I love the self-esteems this tune comes with. Added to my collection.
Mordi: Very nice!
NecroPolo: Very nice and fluent production with superb vocal tracks. My 2 picky notes are: 1- for energy it feels a little like an aeroplane with spinned up engines that doesn't take off at the end; 2- I really miss some witty outro that matches the brilliant track.
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
mfe: It gets a red face, but... That 'cello with its own room reverb against the more open reverb of the rest of the mix sticks out like a sore thumb.
Gocab: Nice take and realy great hollywood sound.
DHS: Wow! I mean, WOW!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Makke: This is simply brilliant!
L0rd3vyL: What an amazing mix. Early favorite for Best C64 remix for 2015. Can't wait to see what this year has in store.
Ziphoid: Nice twist compared to the original SID which still can be recognized in this very enhanced state. Too bad it's a bit short, but I think this requires a play in a Cozy Corner in the future. :) Well done!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
gerd: Excellent choice of instruments
NecroPolo: All I can say, it nailed the feel of the original to the bone. Goosebumper.
LMan: Beautiful.
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
NecroPolo: This track has antique aesthetics and balance. The style is not really for me. The quality is.
LMan: Lovely style.
94%
YEAR 2016
Blackstar: For me this is a just as a perfect remix of a C64 tune should sound like.
KoYamaRo: Extremly Nice :-) Sounds nice to me....
Marcus: Very good! C64 is still alive with this track
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
Sanjo Ride: Loved this, was juming around in my seat
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
Breadbox Bill: Great jazzy remix!
94%
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
teo: What a great first remix! Igy tovább!
Haxel: Beautiful mixing and gorgeous arrangement!
Tomsk: These guys can do no wrong. Sensational remix
97%
LaLa: A surprisingly downtempo, melancholic arrangement, which I didn't think I'd like, but this is expertly crafted! Just lovely!
kwed: One of the best Plastic Pop arrangements ever. If not the best.
russ: Awesome. Really enjoying this :-)
94%
Ryrynz: Ahh it's beautiful.
LaLa: Finely crafted creative take on a wonderful tune.
L0rd3vyL: Another great one from MRT
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
XxDUSTYxX: Great work, Jarle!
Shark: Perfect!
nettuno: Grest execution, with a very good improvvisati in ????????
96%
horizoner: Brilliant, just brilliant!
kwed: "Epic" is the only word that can describe this one.
nsky: Well done!
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
LMan: Perfect.
symbols: Seu Geuuud!
LaLa: Straight off their Progressive 64 album. Superb there, superb here.
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
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.
_steve_: Love Glyn's original - this re-imagining of that is very well put together and is a great addition to it. Not sure omoroca is hearing the same tune as eveyone else.
Poppykuk: Great arrangement. Keeps the atmosphere of the original but sounds huge.
97%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
L0rd3vyL: Awesome
Chris Abbott: A huge upgrade to the iconic 2002 version. Make sure you catch the "pure symphony" version at http://www.8-bit-symphony.com
celina w: This remix is really amazing!
98%
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do... Whoa.
c64glen: Outstanding. Unfamiliar with the original but there Pink's "Who Knew" in there.
96%
YEAR 2020
MagicMosher: Really cool!!!
Mordi: Awesome track, Peter! Your britishness is really shining through in this one, with the ELO references.=)
NecroPolo: Lovely stuff Peter! I love the guitar playing especially.
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
Ryrynz: The synths don't really have the punch I want, they really need to be front and center, orchestra sounds good. Overall a nice atmosphere. Dat Slaygon tho.. @3:30 my jam.
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!;)
XxDUSTYxX: Excellent collaboration! Thank you very much for this Remix, ziona, Slaygon and Peter Clarke!:)
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Mordi: SIDNIFY = Quality. Punchy track!
Makke: Solid rocker!
Bistecca104: Wow! Just WOW!
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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