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
omoroca: Jarresque like hell. This one goes straight to the heart. Years ahead of its time! At 3:10 I fall apart from enchantment. Goose bumps all over! Added to my collection.
Dumper: Beautiful tune, great choice of instruments.
Capitaine: Crazyyy! It's just the original tune atmosphere. Many thanks for this 😊
92%
PhunkyData: Love this old classic.
Nebdar: This tune has sole and purpose… Similar to the Twin peaks Tv series tune
LaLa: Almost two decades later still a powerful, emotional remix, a must-have classic!
93%
Trydowave: Best version of zoids. Obvious Jarre influence. Great stuff
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
countzorg: Shimmering
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
Andersson: This is just too good to be true!
LMania: Not my cup of tea, but it surely rocks 😊
humorguy: The Commodore 64 and Rock'n'Roll. They have just had babies together!!! THIS ROCKS!!!!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
sebuko: I love this version since over years. It´s the best last ninja version i´ve ever heard. Please rmx some more last ninja tunes. You´re really great!!!
Cifu1978: Really nice remix, with good tunes, good vibrations and good memories.
L0rd3vyL: One of my favorite remixes, if not my favorite remix of the Palace Gardens Loader tune
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.
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
madrigal: Wonderful remix, DHS is a guarantee for quality!😉
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
fraspras: A bit old sounded but great
Mitch van Hayden: What could I say? Give me more like this!
Fhood: Excellent
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
macb3t: Absolutely brilliant!!!
tazuk: Unbelievably good 😀
Mrcookie: Marvelous!
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Nebdar: When you listen you think thats some movie trailer music. Outstanding 😊
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.
Gregory Atlas: Just awesome!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
saulc12: Slicker than a very slick thing in the middle of an oil slick and love that lead sound
LaLa: Totally awesome! Great punching beat, well-balanced mix, just one awesome piece of remix!
Wilfred: Excellent work!
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
humorguy: I give this an Outstanding, because it Satnds Out from the rest by quite a margin. Excellent.
NecroPolo: This one is stunning. Damn! Quality is timeless.
snorski: Epic
93%
exo: Simply a great song.
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
firefox: One of my favs 😊…
cirdan: Amazing remix again, Glyn. Those Zimmer'ish strings are quite awesome.
prq: Superb music and voices
97%
Quarex: This is pretty much as good as a remix has ever sounded. As soon as I heard the opening strains of this song for the first time, I knew I was in for something completely amazing. And agreed that virtually every remix of Sweet is fantastic.
Makke: Marcel hits the jackpot once again! Absolutely flawless!
Zieman: You can fall into a SWEET, endless near-sleep while listening to this 😊
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
Mitch van Hayden: This remix is outstanding! One of my favorits.
Dumper: I gave this an orange before, but hearing it quite a bit lately I now feel it deserves a nice big red one.
Amok: Still great but I think its overrated and I prefer DJ Mitch's version… Finally I cant resist it… 😃
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
dacke: Wicked!
merl: One guinness please…😊
nettuno: … A Celtic song? WOW!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
ifadeo: F**k'n brilliant! OUTSTANDING!
Tas: Ding, dang and dong!
zuckerfrei: Fantastic! Thats really catchy and emotional at the same time. Especially the second half remindes me to early works of Tangerine Dream.
92%
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.
o2: This is so damn nice.
nec5: Really. You won't get better than this for orchestra/chant music. A+
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMania - Robocop Title
stigmata: If just all SID's could be remixed like this one. Thanks!
Fdi: Just excellent! I listen it again and again! GREAT!!!
Mordi: I had to listen to it a few times to grasp its outstandingness. =P
95%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
carpii: One of my favorite remixes. Seems not everyone likes the extreme lead, but I think it contrasts perfectly
gibs: The lead synth is not a problem for me. I like it. Great piece.
leoni: Wow, this is an excellent track. Gives me the chill!
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
XxDUSTYxX: THAT's what I call a masterpiece!
chainblade: This is just awsome! Not as good as episode 3, but still this is outstanding
gforg: Great song!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
oxygen: You are very talented and creative person 😀
arraknis: One of the best I ever heared!
LeCu: Magnificent!
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
bratac: Excellent, it has melody and yet is trancy.
LaLa: Great arrangement, great sounds, great mastering, great, great, great.
sidbrowser: Great to listen while driving in my car! Top Remix!
93%
Dumper: A great tune all round, Dafunk just keeps the quality coming, excellent.
knotti: Nice beat Nice Track
Nada: This is professional stuff. Depeche Mode sound like Michael Bolton next to this!!! Dafunk, you rule!
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
Amok: Mordis masterpiece. Awesome production. The vocals fit perfectly. Hats off, mate 😊
germantaz: Congratulation. Everything everybody said is true. In my opinion it could be a bit faster ;o)
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)
plokolp: Hey Dafunk, this tune makes me want to go out and buy the biggest, baddest speakers I can afford. Awesome.
jailbird: Dafunk for teh win! /me dances
zajos: I did not listen to Slay Radio for half year and now I checked back and this tune made my day. Great!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
prowler: Very professional dreamtrance! A bit sleepy at times, but very enjoyable.
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
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Ziphoid: I don't know what to say. This is just pure perfection.
Danceaway: This track is worthy of taking the no. 1 spot from the excellent Rastan remix by Glen, Fantastic, I emailed the track to Rob Hubbard and he replied saying its great and one of the best, Congratz Firestorm…
vassago: Omg! Was so stunned I forgot to vote!
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
roberto76: VERY, VERY GOOD!!!
Codetapper: Simply beautiful!
cyphax: Something went REALLY wrong here because I've not heard this before and I'm like WTF! This is GORGEOUS!
95%
russ: This is just amazing, I cant stop playing this 😀
chilli_uk: I think this is awesome and mellow - I think one day one person will use a guitar on this as well - its perfect for it - but wow amazing work!
Ryrynz: A perfect remix of this classic tune, who ever gave this an average face, SHAME ON YOU! I wish it was a bit more open (less dynamic compression?) and a higher bitrate would have been nice.
94%
YEAR 2010
cyphax: This is just beautiful. I love it.
Mbraze: Awesome remake with awesome guitar solo!
chabee: Amazing!
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
condor: Sounds, details… Brilliant! Reminded me to moog's remixes.
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.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
Mordi: Flakey lead, but otherwise great.
weasel: Wow! Truly _outstanding_, indeed!!! Thank you _very_, very much!! 😃
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.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
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!
jokesoldier: No need to say that's really, really, really nice& smooth 😊
93%
Melaure: Excellent work again, and as unreal says with a touch fo Amiga! Congratulations!
Ryrynz: Once again Mordi delivers us beautiful sounds.
aero: It just feels groooooooove!
93%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Foxfield: I want to see a movie with this one in it's soundtrack.
karl_xii: Fantastic, gives me the shivers when listening
hillsman: The best Ocean Loader? Check. The original composer? Check. Win! Win!
93%
YEAR 2012
mfe: This one just pips Moog's version as my favourite. Well done!
Alucard: If you stand behind a schallmauer, you only hear the BOUM and then nothing more… 😉 - I had fun with this although its not exactly my taste. But technically, beyond limits!
Brosa: As usual - Mordi = The sign of quality.
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Mordi: Sweet track!
werdy: Until now (and the SIDrip) I wasn't a rock fun. BUT NOW I AM. This tune is awesome, rock on!!!
LaLa: Head-bangingly powerful! Guitar-smashingly heavy duty! Rock on!
93%
infamous: Well fcuk me… Very nice sound, very powerful and has a good industrial feel to it… Very professional sound. Not much else I can say… Fantastic stuff.
Zilog: Powerful & Sweet as always, a masterpiece!
werdy: Sorry but I can't be objective - original sid is one of my favorite music and this remix is OUTSTANDING. Pure energy everywhere.
93%
YEAR 2013
Razmo: Really nice to hear a synthy Jarre'ish tune in here… Top red smiley for this. Only thing I can put my finger on is the imense wall of sound… It's very thick sonically on the verge of becoming muddy in tone, but it's just at little…
KhaosLight2: Jarre in 2013 ❤️
C64ever: Nice track.
93%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
LokkoLori: Obey Master LukHash!
XxDUSTYxX: Outstanding Remix! |m|
eisei: Love the video too
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
weasel: Yeah!!! What LMan said!!! 😃😃😃
NecroPolo: Man that's some serious summer hit stuff that is beyond being a cool SID remix. Awesome work!
omoroca: Brilliant! Amazing! This year's summer smash hit! Added to my collection.
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
druu: Outstanding indeed! From the very first version to this piece of gold, it just keeps getting better! Chills well deserved.
betelzeus: Dark and Gritty… Ditto NiN… Cool man
c64glen: Brillant. Sounds very dirty to start with and then has some glorious guitars.
94%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Wolf1982: Killer!
Jimbob: A hugely enjoyable track. The vocals work amazingly well.
LaLa: An excellent, high quality, creative remix with an emotional touch. I wish the lead sounds were less loud, though, because they dominate the otherwise excellent backing. Impressive work, a keeper for sure! Thanks for sharing it with us!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
drm: Good one it fits the game well.
The SIE: Well, what more can I say when everything is already said. OUTSTANDING.
L0rd3vyL: Really nice take on a C64 Classic. Reminds me of something Glyn R. Brown would do. Just Incredible!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
gator: This is an amazing track!
NecroPolo: This track is made of harmony, musicality and honour. Maximum respect, man!
druu: Bass came in and so did the goosebumps! Insta-Red. 'Nuff said!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
omoroca: Wonderful! Added to my collection.
gerd: Excellent choice of instruments
ChrisLo: Wow! Perfect piece, arragement, sounds, ambient!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
LMania: Lovely style.
NecroPolo: This track has antique aesthetics and balance. The style is not really for me. The quality is.
James T. Kork: Just brilliant.
93%
YEAR 2016
Samarium13: Very punchy feel, great beat!
Snake1: Very cool remix!
DSMarine: I never liked the dance places back in the day… But maybe I just needed tracks like this one. D
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
Aule: The Beach Boys would have done it exactly that way!
hillsman: Loving these Surf remixes! I really like this one and its perfect for Johan's style
vurtx: Just perfect in all areas.
94%
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.
Ispace: 10 years on, I still love this music… And you?
bgmnt: One of the best!
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
Mayhem: Well this is a fine way to introduce yourself 😊
Sascha Michael Theel: Outstanding!!! I love it!!!😀
DJs. DoMoDo: Great remix music 😀
97%
Ryrynz: Would like something more like Apollo2k's version but no denying the quality of this.
Mordi: Well done! A pleasant listening experience. Edit: Relistening two months later. It's really nice!
redhot: Awesome, especially the bass line
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
DSMarine: This tune always hits me in my weak spot, and this version is superb!!
MatrixRevolution: I love this Melody!!!
xgener8or: Really good vibes 😊 Could be at the end of a movie with a ferrari driving into the sunset along a mountain road. Haha
96%
speedy: Uhh, what to say. Great track!
Ryrynz: I still like x-formz one a bit more but this is great. Can we get a FLAC please?
Anthony Walters: Awesome! - Hollywood is calling…
95%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
JChambers: LOVE IT!
ChrisC.: Fastloaders Metal Gods!
Nada: I'm not a fan of metal but this is absolutely amazing.
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
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.
C64_Gamer: Love the 2002 version and now I love this too
96%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
Seedgroup: Pure Gold!
celina w: This remix is really amazing!
SID-Spieler: Epic Tune
97%
PixelGrinch: Outstanding Remix! THANK YOU, Jogier
Mordi: Dane meets Liljedahl! Highly enjoyable!
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
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!
Blackstar: Great love boat remix of SH 😉
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
Glyn R. Brown: The more I listen to this track, it just gets Better & Better 😊 Great work Guys…
MagicMosher: You guys should absolutely keep up the work together the harmony between the 3 styles of music takes me on a journey
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!😉
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Mordi: SIDNIFY = Quality. Punchy track!
Bistecca104: Wow! Just WOW!
NecroPolo: Spendid work lads!
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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