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
cinemaniac: Perhaps the best remix of this, the best C64 theme out there ever!
Capitaine: Crazyyy! It's just the original tune atmosphere. Many thanks for this 😊
jlrcuesta: One of the best remixes. Excellent sounds and structure.
92%
Dumper: Absolutely brilliant.
LaLa: Almost two decades later still a powerful, emotional remix, a must-have classic!
nonick: Excellent! But I'd like to know which Galway tunes have been recycled here.
92%
humorguy: Oh sorry fell up from somewhere really nice. Big fat red one!
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
Trydowave: Best version of zoids. Obvious Jarre influence. Great stuff
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
Ansoe: … What can I say? Awesome…
DJs. DoMoDo: A great masterpiece
promus: Great!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
Tpmccusker: OOOF, good start! It's so fun and wild, it reflects the original so well!
Nebdar: Awsome remix cool one with proper soul
hillsman: Absolute genius. A true sid remix - wish there were more like it.
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
legus: Gooood!!!
aero: Simply gorgeous
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.
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
datucker: Very impressive, and even more impressive considering it was made in Fruityloops…
wavedancer: Would I be a woman I think I would be wet by hearing this remix 😉
Hutch75: Brilliant!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
Amok: Absolutely outstanding tune
migu: So very beautiful still.
kaus: Really tender…
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Pietafon: Awesome!
Dan: Best remix on RKO, period.
Grigul: My personal all-time favourite. One of the oldest tracks I heared at SlayRadio, and still love and enjoy it. Glyn R. Brown is a Master of c-64-remixes.
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
donkeyspank: So good! The speech just adds to the atmosphere!
tony.rc: I first heard this tune @ BIT2003 and I still love it to bits!
LaLa: Totally awesome! Great punching beat, well-balanced mix, just one awesome piece of remix!
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
chabee: Fantastic!
snorski: Epic
humorguy: I give this an Outstanding, because it Satnds Out from the rest by quite a margin. Excellent.
93%
mz1453: Sounds like Kitaro! Relaxing, clear and yet powerful!
exo: Simply a great song.
myicq: This one on repeat, in a flight across the atlantic against the sunset. Simply awesome!
91%
Year 2004
raj: You are a master
Gregory Atlas: Just amazing…
Grigul: Another masterpiece from my personal Master of c-64-remixes. Great Job, Glyn. Always like to hear your tracks. Classical.😀
97%
LMan: Wow! That must be Marcel's best remix of all times. Amazing!
LaLa: Vangelis meets Sweet - the result is so good, I think it's even more emotional than the original… Wow…
Makke: Marcel hits the jackpot once again! Absolutely flawless!
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
humorguy: In a different class. Like Mr. Brown and just one or two others not in the charts.
Netopejr: This is what a REMIX means! Inovative, personal and - last but not least - PROFESSIONAL!
infamous: Proof that DHS aint a one trick pony… This is a MUST have… Wonderful tune
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
karter: Woooow… This is it…
infamous: Irish folk dancing ahoy, never really much liked the original but I cant help but smile whenever I hear this…
condor: I can't believe I didn't vote for this tarck 😃
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
load_error: Splendid.
Waz: Marcel just completely rocks my world, again! An excellent improvisation on a quite limited SID with plenty of emotion and feel, and working around the original tune. Superb stuff.
Wilfred: Definitely one of the best tune from 2005.
93%
Tas: I almost knew this would be outstanding before hearing it… As usual another top quality (mike oldfield-esque) track from Glyn.
lem: Fine remake, well done!
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
maverickbna: Excellent remix! A trip back in time… (pun intended)
lagerfeldt: Take My Breath Away
Big Dawg: Cor blimey!!! This track goes from superb to incredible. The strings at the end just knock me down with a feather.
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
REYN: Great great remix! And also a very nice composition! Superb…
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!!!
sergi80x: Great fusion between antique & modern instruments, good melody
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
jemym: Another legend from Machine Supremacy
NecroPolo: Badass! \m/,
Nebdar: GLORIOUS
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
dream_19: This is ultimate!
slaygon: Absolutely gorgeaus!
prowler: Have you contacted mr Galway about this?
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
LaLa: Great arrangement, great sounds, great mastering, great, great, great.
chilli_uk: In the past you have been guilty of mastering issues - I cant fault this years work and this is AWESOME
NecroPolo: Not my style but it's perfectly done.
93%
clarence: This is really something cool!
Jax: This can sit on repeat forever without you getting bored of it. Very varied, great all round, and definitely one of the best mixes for a while - I LOVE it! 😊 Even sounds a bit like Above and Beyond in places!
moog: This tune I'm listening over and over again with my mp3 player.
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
germantaz: Congratulation. Everything everybody said is true. In my opinion it could be a bit faster ;o)
Ice00: Voice is a must into this tune
brix: Hell a good one! Something very different, well executed and the original melody is good to recognize.
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
chilli_uk: Its great and as always clear, concise and well mixed - would make a great track for a dj to mix to and with - great work
migu: Simply great!
Grigul: Awesome, absolutely awesome tune. Maybe the best one of Dafunk. Great Job!!
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.
Zilog: Simply PERFECT
Makke: All I can say is: Propper job, Peter! Very well done.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
chabee: Great!!!
Dumper: Eftos, at least he doesn't copy other peoples tunes like you do. Great Remix.
inqisit0r: Stuff it. Ill give it an outstanding. What makes it good seriously outweighs its imperfections. (eg, the transition to guitar at 3:16 is great. But thats the end of the track. The rest after 4:29 is just following the rules with a lacking end section)
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
LMan: Sweetness. The kind of remix I'd label definitive.
omoroca: Beautiful! Added to my collection.
Amok: Loves
96%
94%
YEAR 2010
chabee: Amazing!
omoroca: Gibs rules! Added to my collection.
SarahKreuz: Sweet? Never heard of it. I GUESS it`s a C64 Game, eh? XD This song is strong, got a powerful sense of emotion and reminds me a little bit of Jogeir Liljedahl`s tracks (especially @ 4:30 min). Great tune. And now SHUT UP-I wanna listen to it once more.😉
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
TheZee: A beautiful blend of sounds! You've got real talent mate, keep up the good work!😀
Metal_VIB: Pure porn! A tad too mellow for my taste though, but a really good arrangement of the track.
Mitch van Hayden: Superb!
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
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.
Makke: Standing ovations from me. Only one complaint: The drums sound way too flat, static and thin for this heavy track.
Mordi: Flakey lead, but otherwise great.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
Melaure: What a wonderfull piece of Jazz. Sax, guitar,. … Not far from perfection!
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!
Karmar: Bad? Why? It's amazing cover! THX moog!
93%
Dees Productions: The perfect mix of a perfect song. Like to drizzle honey all over the floor and just roll around!
Ryrynz: Once again Mordi delivers us beautiful sounds.
hillsman: An absolute screamer!
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Staticborris: Excelent. Love the movie score feel to the track, keep up the great work
Unzen: Excellent tune - memories come flooding back 😊. Top work!
Palin: Oh… So immersing.
94%
YEAR 2012
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.
Shark: Best version by far IMPO, love the emotion in the main lead! Great work as usual!
_steve_: Fantastic version of this classic drax sid
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
bizarro: I often thought of remixing that SID by myself. But this rendition is hard to beat 😀
Melaure: Incredible guitars and great sound; not oversaturated or too compressed! Feels like Satriani, that I like a lot!
weasel: BRING IT ON!!! *headbanging… Although no really long hair!! ;-D* Working really _great_ this version for this great SID.
94%
Vaggelis Papadopoulos: Amazing and powerfull Remix NecroPolo!! Kudos brother!!
drm: Love the guitars!!! Awesome!!!
mfe: I'm not a metal fan per se, but I know when it is well done. This is well done.
94%
YEAR 2013
KhaosLight2: Jarre in 2013 ❤️
Dees Productions: Impressive work there mate! You really managed to capture the OMP sound and made it sounds like JMJ! 😊 Right on there!
Zilog: Beautiful
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
NecroPolo: SID remixing at its best IMO as besides melody it is also a respectful tribute for its unique sound, too. I miss a smarter ending maybe - but I don't care. Great stuff!
_steve_: Very powerful chip mix. Another fantastic mix
p2: Love it! Just like all the other work of LukHash!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
JLD: Amazing remix!!
Melaure: Top of the charts!
bastard: Impressive production. If I'd known the original tune, I would have rated it red++
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
L0rd3vyL: Best platoon remix I've ever heard
Mordi: Very nice soundscape! Not familiar with the original tune.
c64glen: Brillant. Sounds very dirty to start with and then has some glorious guitars.
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?😊
slaygon: Absolutely gorgeaus! (although slightly over-compressed)
thomassd: Cool!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
The SIE: Well, what more can I say when everything is already said. OUTSTANDING.
Marcus: Just aewsome!
LaLa: Cinematic! Epic! Orchestral! Welcome back, Markus!!!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
LaLa: Fresh off his win at ROTY 2014, Slaygon drops another beauty on us. Wonderful cinematic emotions - I only wish if it was longer…
NecroPolo: This track is made of harmony, musicality and honour. Maximum respect, man!
GlenBenton: Brilliant!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
Kalell: Great and very suggestive Atmosphere!
LaLa: Lovely arrangement, Western-style oriental ambience done right.
Aule: Atmospheric Masterpiece!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
blubberdiblub: Wow, just wow! The reverberation creates a dreamy atmosphere, the bass line so powerful and the strings simply lovely.
LMan: Lovely style.
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
94%
YEAR 2016
Mordi: Cool! Very original take on the source. I like the mood.
Ripper7575: This is the best version of Cybernoid 2 in my opinion. Very good quality of sounds.
KoYamaRo: Extremly Nice 😀 Sounds nice to me…
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
Blackstar: Love it!
Breadbox Bill: Great jazzy remix!
94%
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
MORBID: Oh yeah!
Flyingsaucer: Wonderful!!! Very Very Nice!!!
NecroPolo: It's about time for you guys to join Remix64 / RKO. Welcome onboard! Great stuff.
97%
94%
LaLa: Finely crafted creative take on a wonderful tune.
Mordi: Cool!
Marcus: I have to turn up the volume. And listen the song a second time, third time… I really like it.
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
DSMarine: This tune always hits me in my weak spot, and this version is superb!!
LMan: Super sweet rock ballad. All thumbs up!
_steve_: Simply amazing. Love the improvisation around 1:28-1:50 - very Hans Zimmer Top Gun Anthemesque
96%
Erestor: Perfect!
Ryrynz: I still like x-formz one a bit more but this is great. Can we get a FLAC please?
DHS: Wow. Simply WOW.
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
Mordi: Nailing all the arpeggios on guitar. Impressive remix!
Ryrynz: Professional. Excellent.
JChambers: LOVE IT!
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)
L0rd3vyL: Awesome
speedy: EDIT: Great stuff after several listenings and better than first one.
SID-Spieler: Epic Tune
98%
omoroca: After 20 seconds I knew I have to vote Outstanding. Because… It is. Great job!
rnuls: Fantastic song from Jogeir
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do… Whoa.
97%
YEAR 2020
peltazoid: Amazing!
hillsman: A worthy best remix winner IMHO - very special indeed.
NecroPolo: Lovely stuff Peter! I love the guitar playing especially.
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…
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Makke: Solid rocker!
Ahriakin: Great remix, lots of energy while respecting the source.
Mordi: SIDNIFY = Quality. Punchy track!
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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