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
condor: Never commented this one… With Zoids, I think it can von title of your best remix.
RoJ: Outstanding is just the right word for this remix!!
jlrcuesta: One of the best remixes. Excellent sounds and structure.
92%
t0ester: Brilliant!!
mfe: To take something so simple and make it this atmospheric requires skill. Kudos!
Nebdar: This tune has sole and purpose… Similar to the Twin peaks Tv series tune
93%
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
Trydowave: Best version of zoids. Obvious Jarre influence. Great stuff
eliot: Very very very outstanding 😊
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
GlenBenton: Rocks like hell!
deadguyfromhun: Cool music
Sperling: Great!!!
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!!!
redbow: Definetly an outstanding enterpetation of one of my favorite tunes from the C64 era. Kudos Kudos
hillsman: Absolute genius. A true sid remix - wish there were more like it.
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
NecroPolo: I think it's the best tune pack of Whittaker. The first section doesn't really cut through for me as much as the following parts - but that's just a subjective footnote, the remix is very cool all the way.
aero: Simply gorgeous
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
humorguy: Came to this AFTER Rastan. Should be 2nd in the all time chart - simple as that!
kaus: Yeah my glyn favourite
amfr: This is great!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
layson: Simply outstanding, definitely a top 5 track. Great piano and vocals.
EricF: Man, this is a haunting remix with some awesome rhythm in the second half.
macb3t: Absolutely brilliant!!!
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Ginjirou: Absolutely amazing. Required entry on any mp3 player I own. Simply sublime! Could be from a shaolin monk stage show…?
Mitch van Hayden: OMFG! Nobody could do this better.
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)
nabuco: Amazing¡¡
wipu: The perfect energizer, you just cannot stay still.
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)
LaLa: As a huge fan of Vangelis how could I vote anything but outstanding on this masterpiece? It sounds like something straight out of 1492 - Conquest of Paradise.
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.
snorski: Epic
93%
91%
Year 2004
humorguy: Taken remixes to a new level. This guy doe makes it hard for everybody else, I am sure! Just extraordinary full stop.
Cadwaladr: I used to play this in the arcades for the music, thank god it didnt sound this good or Id be totally penniless
Gildan: Glyn continues with his Midas touch. Fantastic production and arrangment, sheer class as always.
97%
plokolp: Love it. Still one of my favourites after listening to just about everything else!
Sodden: One more tune to save!!
Dumper: Very nice indeed.
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
infamous: Proof that DHS aint a one trick pony… This is a MUST have… Wonderful tune
load_error: Splendid work, atmospheric, emotional, solid… And the ENIGMA basis rocks!!!
DaManiac72: Brilliant. You should be very proud.
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
the_jinx: This is damn good… Although I like the Slaygon version allmost as much 😉
aero: Simply world class
Waz: This is exactly how Ben would have done the tune if he'd been allowed to put all manner of Jethro Tull influence into the piece. Original and also quality, keeping the spirit of the original intact.
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
omoroca: Can't think of Something Stranger than not liking this tune. Great work! Added to my collection.
Makke: Ok… Now I have to change underwear…
Skitz: I can admit to cumming when I heard Feekzoids original remix - and this just had the same effect… A new pair of shorts please!
92%
nec5: Really. You won't get better than this for orchestra/chant music. A+
boonz: Turn out the lights, stick the headphones on, close your eyes and listen to the music. So relaxing. Superb stuff this is!!
iliad: Easily one of the best remixes on the site: emotional stuff, well done.
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
buzzard: Although a little sedate for my taste, technically awesome, would love to see something more upbeat. Don't ever stop remixing!
maverickbna: Excellent remix! A trip back in time… (pun intended)
NecroPolo: Time travel 😊
95%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
widar: Amazing, simply amazing! The best?
Makke: Moog-alization-ness-tastic! What I'm trying to say is well done, moog.😉
REYN: Great great remix! And also a very nice composition! Superb…
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
Dr. Bongo: I REALLY like this. I`m jelous of the guitar work, wish mine was up to that standard.
NecroPolo: Badass! \m/,
romeo_knight: I WAS WRONG! Just listened to it on Slay Radio and it's fuckin outstanding!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
el sid: This is absolutely one of my top ten favourites around here. Absolutely brilliant performance and beautiful guitar play!
MPaans: Awesome! Kinda reminds me of Pink Floyd 😊
moog: Did I mention I wanna join to Your church?😊
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
k_rostoen: What Skitz said.
_steve_: Fantastic sounds. Absolutely brilliant track
snorski: Smooth!! Like it a lot!
93%
KF: Top Stuff…!
Peter W: I love the beat in this track, so simple but brilliantly sounding. Very easy to listen too, dreamy! Thanks for a great track Dafunk!
pmorph: Godly stuff! Keep on going!!
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
jokesoldier: Mordi, I'am with you ❤️
Ziphoid: Really neatly done for sure!. … And dang, this dude is only 18… A new Dafunk in the making? I'll have to listen up to the rest of his tracks. Me likes!
slaygon: Very enjoyable!
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
Trace: How are you not signed yet?? This is commercial quality, GREAT! 😃
BeeZerk: Top notch tune, clear production, great transitions, prof arrangement and perfect lenght. The hookline is the thing I like the most, awesome work.
migu: Simply great!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
xo: Su-bloody-perb.
Dr-Duke: Very well done Peter W! (Not my fault but I love trance) 😊
prowler: Very professional dreamtrance! A bit sleepy at times, but very enjoyable.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
red_devil: Yes! This is good stuff! Badly influenced by Hans Zimmer (Gladiator & The Rock) but that is not a bad thing. Perfect arranged!
Twinbee: Wow, Just wow…
Addicted_to_C64: You won't find many remixes of this quality. This one is definitely the best remix I ever heard
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
cyphax: Something went REALLY wrong here because I've not heard this before and I'm like WTF! This is GORGEOUS!
Waz: Deliciously good and sounds smooth and clear throughout.
Mrcookie: Smooth and beautiful
95%
eliot: Sooo astonishing… Thx a lot
Bjorn H.: What??? No singing babes and techno loops? Hehehe… Enough jokes. AWESOME work. Thanks Mordi! C64 playlist extended by one song.
FuzzyDweeb: My favourite version of the classic!
94%
YEAR 2010
eliot: Congratulation, this is really great!
The SIE: Do u mean Tears in my eyes? Cuz I have them. Great Duo. Expand it.
cyphax: This is just beautiful. I love it.
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Mordi: Cool tune. Great sounds and lovely percussion. I love your style!
Zilog: Exquisite!
C64ever: Really good this, nice and mellow to listen too.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
K8-bit: I really really like this… I love the guitar play, and the nostalgia the montage brings me… But I think more variation in the SIDdy parts would've been better… Too much reliance on the samey triangle lead IMHO.
weasel: Wow! Truly _outstanding_, indeed!!! Thank you _very_, very much!! 😃
maindrian: Makes me want to dry hump my speakers. It's THAT filthy. The lead does feel a little flimsy over the top of all that crunchy guitar, but boy, oh boy, does that guitar crunch.
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!
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?
93%
LMan: I love DRAX' melodies, and I love Modi's remix.
omoroca: Wonderful, as always! Mordi=Jogeir? Added to my collection.
YogibearRenoise: Great as almost always!
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
karl_xii: Fantastic, gives me the shivers when listening
Palin: Oh… So immersing.
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!
94%
YEAR 2012
Brosa: As usual - Mordi = The sign of quality.
LaLa: Great rendition. But what this remix makes clear to me is that this tune is in despearate need of a remix with a singing duet…
bastard: Thanxxx!
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Chainsaw: Wow!
weasel: BRING IT ON!!! *headbanging… Although no really long hair!! ;-D* Working really _great_ this version for this great SID.
LaLa: Head-bangingly powerful! Guitar-smashingly heavy duty! Rock on!
93%
mfe: I'm not a metal fan per se, but I know when it is well done. This is well done.
chabee: Great as it is!
Dees Productions: Awesome!
93%
YEAR 2013
NecroPolo: That SID is a heavy piece of cake, man! Execution is flawless, the remix gone several steps beyond the original (already great) atmosphere. I like it soundwise, too.
mfe: Rich soundscapes that whilst emulating Jarre's work also rivals it and surpasses it in a couple of ways. Great!
monty: Never expected Kitaro to join RKO. Welcome, dude! 😃
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
p2: Love it! Just like all the other work of LukHash!
_steve_: Very powerful chip mix. Another fantastic mix
L0rd3vyL: My favorite remix of this tune. Good job, LukHASH!
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
JLD: Amazing remix!!
Cyanuric: A little thin if you ask me but cool stuff nontheless!
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
L0rd3vyL: Best platoon remix I've ever heard
80sFreak: Just awesome!
khisanth: GREAT stuff indeed.
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?😊
Jojje70: The female vocals does a wonderful job in this remix, totally lifts it to a higher level! Great production and arrangement, nicely done.
Acceptus: Magic
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
DHS: Wow! I mean, WOW!
LMan: Markus Schneider is back, better than ever.
NecroPolo: Man I must admit that in general I greatly dislike orchestral remixes. At least the ones that are not created with so much expertise like this one. It blasts the rest out of the pool (sorry guys). Kudos Markus!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
GlenBenton: Brilliant!
Rock: Beautiful track!
druu: Bass came in and so did the goosebumps! Insta-Red. 'Nuff said!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
Aule: Atmospheric Masterpiece!
LaLa: Lovely arrangement, Western-style oriental ambience done right.
Kalell: Great and very suggestive Atmosphere!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
timmya4000: Absolutely fantastic, top notch, faultless
James T. Kork: Just brilliant.
mfe: Takes a few too many liberties with the melody for my liking, but it's well mixed.
94%
YEAR 2016
KoYamaRo: Extremly Nice 😀 Sounds nice to me…
mika: Aaaaand that one is going straight to my car playlist
Marcus: Very good! C64 is still alive with this track
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
hillsman: Loving these Surf remixes! I really like this one and its perfect for Johan's style
Tomsk: So much fun to listen to! Excellent
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
94%
L0rd3vyL: Awesome!. … Just awesome!
JustPhreak: Just great!!
verm71: Exquisitely produced thumpy dance track!
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
chabee: Great work guys!
XxDUSTYxX: That's so dope! |m|
oxygen: Amazing remix 😀
97%
Double_maggic: Listen - vote - repeat…😊
Mordi: Well done! A pleasant listening experience. Edit: Relistening two months later. It's really nice!
NecroPolo: Not my kind of stuff at all (there is no blood) but it is quality at its best. Great work!
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
Clyder64: Wow… Very pleasant and relaxing tune. Great work
MareckiMarek: Perfect!
MatrixRevolution: I love this Melody!!!
96%
Marcus: The perfect mix! The shouts speak for themselves. Could be a Hans Zimmer score!
Erestor: Perfect!
LMan: Superb
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
Ryrynz: Professional. Excellent.
JChambers: LOVE IT!
kwed: Too much (prog) rock for one hand!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
bastard: Absolutely wonderful arrangement!
Poppykuk: Great arrangement. Keeps the atmosphere of the original but sounds huge.
_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.
97%
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!!
Ryrynz: Love this but prefer the 2002 version's overall expression, just needs a remix up to this level of quality and boom… Masterpiece.
Mano: Top notch.
98%
c64glen: Outstanding. Unfamiliar with the original but there Pink's Who Knew in there.
PixelGrinch: Outstanding Remix! THANK YOU, Jogier
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
97%
YEAR 2020
hillsman: A worthy best remix winner IMHO - very special indeed.
MagicMosher: Really cool!!!. Absolute banger once again my man
Ryrynz: Oh my lord. Is anyone else basically after a version of this but with a bit more of a drawn out emotional vibe to it?
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
Poppykuk: Another musical journey with peter clarke. I hear the other players and it all works beautifully together. I love the way the soundscape changes.
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!😉
NecroPolo: Welcome to the movie 😊
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
JLD: Superb!
Bistecca104: Wow! Just WOW!
Makke: Solid rocker!
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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