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
jlrcuesta: One of the best remixes. Excellent sounds and structure.
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.
Dumper: Beautiful tune, great choice of instruments.
92%
karter: Must have for every collection. Outstanding!
LaLa: Almost two decades later still a powerful, emotional remix, a must-have classic!
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%
humorguy: Oh sorry fell up from somewhere really nice. Big fat red one!
Melaure: Excellent, I have found Jarre's fealings in this tune 😃
john4p: Brilliant.
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
GlenBenton: Rocks like hell!
oxygen: The best tune compose music I heard, keep doing more great music
plokolp: Intense energy. Loved it from the first time I heard it and I still play it at maximum volume whenever it comes around on my system.
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!
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)
chairmankaga: One of my favourite SID remixes.
madrigal: Wonderful remix, DHS is a guarantee for quality!😉
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Gregory Atlas: Inspiration pure…!
niccin: Awesome!
cumbayah: Amazing, sends shivers down my spine!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
grytulf: Perfect…
redhot: Supreme
ncd: Magnificent!
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Chili-Man: A Masterpiece!!!
oddball: Gets better with every time I listen to this masterpiece!
ricky: Wow!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
emrebulsat: Perfect… The Powerful SAW Sound… Trance it…
drax: Goose Bump alarm… One of the best remixes ever imo!
JCM Leader: Awesome
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Amok: OMG… Powerful, Epic, Awesome… Speechless…
Zilog: Conquest of Paradise / Vangelis samples or else I'm mistaken => very nice!
chabee: Fantastic!
93%
exo: Simply a great song.
Gildan: Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy!
mz1453: Sounds like Kitaro! Relaxing, clear and yet powerful!
91%
Year 2004
LMan: The maestro strikes again, and he's come a long way since Firelord - Symphonic. Fantastic!
Rchr: Excellent.
Sodden: Fantastic tune!
97%
ifadeo: Nothing wrong with this remix, near perfection… Great work marcel…
Zieman: You can fall into a SWEET, endless near-sleep while listening to this 😊
mahoney: I found Vangelis. He has taken the shape of Mr. Donné! Great mix!
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
Gildan: WHOA! A stunner from DHS, when the bass and drums kicked in it took me to bliss…
boessu: This one has a unbelievable quality. Great work.
esg: I love this song and the two musician too!
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!
bigtabs: Fantastic!
DHS: Another standing ovation here. Makke can do everything (well, musically speaking anyway) 😊
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
Chainsaw: Very great
Wilfred: Definitely one of the best tune from 2005.
Zilog: Lovely!
92%
humorguy: Now I understanded nothing ventured,. Nothing gained. Glyn ventured and boy! Did I gain!!! A little risky for the site and I love it!!!
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.
Danceaway: I met Glen again on Saturday night at B. I. T, we had a chat and I asked him when he is doing more remixes and he said he had just uploaded this track and well, pure beauty and those choire vocals are perfect!!! THIS GUY IS THE NO. 1 remixer without doubt
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
Kate Eternal: Very nice 80s-style tune!!! Extra red one for the tabs!😊
Mordi: I had to listen to it a few times to grasp its outstandingness. =P
binster: Grin-inducingly uplifting - top dollar!
95%
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!
Zilog: Superb!
vernest: Love it!😉
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
gforg: Great song!
Nebdar: GLORIOUS
Caboose: This is definately top 10 on the whole remix64.
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
moog: Did I mention I wanna join to Your church?😊
madrigal: Thanks mr Reyn! Thanks for this wonderful gift!!!
omoroca: Out-stan-ding! Added to my collection.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
bratac: Excellent, it has melody and yet is trancy.
snorski: Smooth!! Like it a lot!
infamous: Brilliant. Nothing else needs to be said.
93%
emrebulsat: Very nice. I like Dafunk's stuff
mace: I've been waiting for a looong time for one of my fav artists to make a move and I must say it was worth waiting for!! Fab stuff Daf!!
chilli_uk: The more you listen the more you need to listen - great work Dafunk
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
Amok: Mordis masterpiece. Awesome production. The vocals fit perfectly. Hats off, mate 😊
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
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.
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
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.
Ishma: Excellent!!!
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)
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.
Dr-Duke: Very well done Peter W! (Not my fault but I love trance) 😊
exo: Once again you deliver, Peter. 😀 Effortless flowing musical energy.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Amok: I always wondered if Firestorm will release this absolutely awesome piece of art. He did. Definately Remix of the Year 2009!!!
vili: Reminds me The Rock, too. Combined with Batman Begins.
_steve_: Torn between orange and red… Red wins 😊 This tune is really fantastic.
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
LaLa: Mellow, moody, ambient - just like the SID version. I don't think the original tune can sound this good. Bravo!
Maegnuz: Jogeir - need I say more?
TNT: This is my ALL TIME favorite remix! Very emotional. I just love it!
95%
Raffox: Mordi you rock
Bingo: The original is sooo good it just can't be spoiled 😀 Great remix, excellent arrangement, the lead synth is a bit too soft for my liking.
russ: This is just amazing, I cant stop playing this 😀
94%
YEAR 2010
Mbraze: Awesome remake with awesome guitar solo!
Mischue: Just chilling…
omoroca: Gibs rules! Added to my collection.
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
TNT: This is for sure one of the best remixes I've ever heard! Absolutely magnificent!
Mordi: Cool tune. Great sounds and lovely percussion. I love your style!
Metal_VIB: Pure porn! A tad too mellow for my taste though, but a really good arrangement of the track.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
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!!!
Mordi: Flakey lead, but otherwise great.
Waz: Let there be rock! It's a very good rendition of several LN tunes but done seamlessly with plenty of good nods to the original. It really does need some harder drums though, otherwise excellent all round.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
_steve_: How can this be rated bad?! - were you even listening to the same song as everyone else?
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!
LMan: The name's Funk. Moog Funk.
93%
LaLa: Per-fect. Soft to the ear, smooth to the brain.
Wilfred: My first favourite on remix64, simple, beautiful arrangement
aero: It just feels groooooooove!
93%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
karl_xii: Fantastic, gives me the shivers when listening
Shark: Liked it a lot and loved the THX type logo theme around 1.30.😊
Staticborris: Excelent. Love the movie score feel to the track, keep up the great work
93%
YEAR 2012
LMan: Perfect, just perfect, mate.
Chronberg: Bravo!
Zekses: Simply outstanding as usual. I love your remixes!
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Dees Productions: Wow, such a great sound and energy in this song. I really like this!
Ryrynz: Epic.
Snip: Holy crap! 😊 What a massive attack! 😊 As a kid I usually imagined SID songs like heavy rock pieces. So that's it! 😊 Masterpiece!
93%
L0rd3vyL: Awesome. Love me some rock, and you do Armand's tune supurbly.
Zilog: Powerful & Sweet as always, a masterpiece!
bordeaux: Great tribute, awesome guitars - thanks a lot!
93%
YEAR 2013
Mayhem: Not a SID familiar with, but the remix sounds great 😊
Jojje70: Never heard the original SID but the melody and chord progressions are just fantastic! Beautiful and atmospheric, it's an amazing tune that gives me goosebumps! Great work!
Nebdar: You hit my soft spot witthis remix too great job
93%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
oxygen: I really liked your original tone, wonderful work piece
celina w: Wow!!!
eisei: Love the video too
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
JLD: Amazing remix!!
Amiga4eveR: Wow!!!
gol: Had to search for my password to login, because this is dope and it had to be said
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
Jojje70: Awesome guitars, very well produced with lots of atmosphere!
Worped: Absolutely epic!
LMan: Killer track.
94%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
thomassd: Cool!
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?😊
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
Askrates: This is awesome on so many levels…
Marcus: Just aewsome!
rico: … Gives me a lot of Game of Thrones vibes - in a very good way!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Nickenstein: This is seriously fucking beautiful, Slaygon! (In my head, Skitz will never die.)
Makke: This is simply brilliant!
LMan: Sweet, sweet violins.
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
gerd: Excellent choice of instruments
Kalell: Great and very suggestive Atmosphere!
N.o S.kill P.erformance: Das ist der erste C64-Remix-Track den ich sogar runtergeladen habe, um ihn in meinen Musikordner zu packen
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.
93%
YEAR 2016
Jac: This is really good. Sitting at work, should go home, but want to listen again!
ChrisBond: Wow - that is a really good remix, good sounds good arragement, but a little static beat - love it anyway, and thanks a lot for the Cybernoid I Bonus at the end - lovely
wbdeejay: Love the phat bassline driving this awesome dance mix along, overlaid with delightfully simple melodies.
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
vurtx: Just perfect in all areas.
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
Supergrobi123: Beautiful, nicely-balanced Remix
94%
LaLa: When listening to this tune I'd like to stand on a hilltop and yell out: This is what the scene is about!!! Kickass 80s feel coupled with a kickass demo tune.
bgmnt: One of the best!
L0rd3vyL: Awesome!. … Just awesome!
94%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
L0rd3vyL: Fantastic remix, dude
teo: What a great first remix! Igy tovább!
MatrixRevolution: Wow!! What a Guitar!!
97%
redhot: Awesome, especially the bass line
LaLa: A surprisingly downtempo, melancholic arrangement, which I didn't think I'd like, but this is expertly crafted! Just lovely!
Shargo: MRT and Danko o/ O/ o/
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
Mordi: Awesome rendition. Superb guitar work!
xgener8or: Really good vibes 😊 Could be at the end of a movie with a ferrari driving into the sunset along a mountain road. Haha
L0rd3vyL: Love this remix. Amazing work, Jarle.
96%
Marcus: The perfect mix! The shouts speak for themselves. Could be a Hans Zimmer score!
Ryrynz: I still like x-formz one a bit more but this is great. Can we get a FLAC please?
Tas: WOW! Love the angry yet calm feel. Markus, this is sooo good. Thank you for sharing this.😊
95%
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
Breadbox Bill: I love it!
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.
96%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
Grigul: Is there anyone who can beat Glyn R. Brown? No, only Glyn himself - and he did it. He took one of his greatest Remixes - and improved it to a higher level. The old one is still epic - this one here is (my opinion): The Most Epic Track Ever!!
Tas: It's Glyn and his name is the new word for better than epic! So, This is full of Glynness!😃
_steve_: This is simply amazing. The only way to top it is being at the live performance in June
97%
rnuls: Fantastic song from Jogeir
Mordi: Dane meets Liljedahl! Highly enjoyable!
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
97%
YEAR 2020
Mayhem: Erm… Wow!
Unzen: Epic tune as per usual!
Makke: After a number of listens I updated my vote to red. Sega Super Sonic Team Band quality!
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! ❤️ @3:30 - SO Slaygons part!😉
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.
Glyn R. Brown: The more I listen to this track, it just gets Better & Better 😊 Great work Guys…
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Tomsk: Quality right here. Brilliant mastering, superb use of the original SID, and punchy as anything! Love this!
XxDUSTYxX: Thank you for your powerful and catchy hi-quality remix, SIDNIFY! Ben Daglish will never be forgotten!
Ahriakin: Great remix, lots of energy while respecting the source.
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.
Comments