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
das.Mordschaf: Its just GREAT ❤️
Bjorn H.: One of the first C64 remixes I ever heard. Went with me on numerous travels. Two or three thumbs up.
Nebdar: Very good atmosphere build up and orchestral arrangment. Brilliant play and great work
92%
t0ester: Brilliant!!
karter: Must have for every collection. Outstanding!
Dumper: Absolutely brilliant.
93%
Melaure: Excellent, I have found Jarre's fealings in this tune 😃
john4p: Brilliant.
eliot: Very very very outstanding 😊
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
promus: Great!
Ryrynz: For those that love this, check out Machinae Supremacy's work on Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams, it's epic! Grab the soundtrack!
ptitfous: Had metal fans rocking on this!!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
germantaz: As it already says: OUTSTANDING!!!
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!!
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
plokolp: Love this. 2 tunes in one.
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
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
xerex: Great emotional tune
Gunhed: How good is this!
Gildan: HOLY FUCK!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
archon: Always loved this version from day 1! Great arrangement, vocals, performance. Love it!
bordeaux: Thank you for this outstanding piece of art!
Melaure: Very nice voice
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Pietafon: Awesome!
Gregory Atlas: Just awesome!
Chappers: Glyn is a genius! You could be forgiven for thinking an entire orchestra was involved with this. Instant classic!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
humorguy: Perfect instumentation, rockin' feet tapping… Well you know the rest!
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.
donkeyspank: So good! The speech just adds to the atmosphere!
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Amok: OMG… Powerful, Epic, Awesome… Speechless…
Dumper: Truly wonderful.
Ryrynz: Beautifully done.
93%
Chainsaw: Very great
myicq: This one on repeat, in a flight across the atlantic against the sunset. Simply awesome!
jelly: Hauntingly haunting.
91%
Year 2004
97%
Haldor: One of the best C64 remix ever!
Tomsk: Aye lad - this is indeed lovely
Dumper: Very nice indeed.
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
jsl: Excelent mix!
DaManiac72: Brilliant. You should be very proud.
floaf: This is REALLY nice!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
nettuno: … A Celtic song? WOW!
tball: Brilliant, especially the lyrics. Not sure what else to say.
firefox: Thumbs up!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
romeo_knight: Yes, I have to admit this is a little bit FANTASTIC! 😉 (though I wouldn't have done the double time drums in the end)
Wilfred: Definitely one of the best tune from 2005.
Danceaway: Well I think this AMAZING remix is going to push G. R. Brown's Rastan remix for the NO. 1 spot for all time C64 remixes, though I think RASTAN still has that edge BUT ONLY JUST, Will buy you a beer or 2 in September M D!!!
92%
infamous: Total change in style for glyn… Gone are the orchestra's replaced with sultry synths and plonk noises and aint it just beautiful 😊
anaconda: Oh, My, God. Congratulations!
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
Caboose: Amazing! I just signed in to vote on this incredible track!
Chris Abbott: The axeman is BACK!
stoo: When I heard the sweeping synths at the start I nearly cried. An 80s epic; this is the sound of my childhood. Someone should knight these guys.
95%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
drax: Damn, Sebastian you did again. You got pretty close to how I played it on the piano when I composed it 😉… Really nice production aswell… Love the piano and the strings!
Makke: Moog-alization-ness-tastic! What I'm trying to say is well done, moog.😉
gemini_64: Excellent remix. Just what a C64 remix should be, a great tune and a brilliant production.
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
gforg: Great song!
LokkoLori: This is Supremacy… Literally
kurganme: Yeah!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
dream_19: This is ultimate!
inqisit0r: Very nice. Update:This obviously deserves an outstanding. Amazing. This is a flowing, imaginative, original composition. Everything comes together.
Dr. Bongo: Is there anything Reyn CAN`T do! Nuff said.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
infamous: Brilliant. Nothing else needs to be said.
prowler: It seems like Dafunk is really in the zone right now, producing like sonic wanderer did some years ago 😀
NecroPolo: Not my style but it's perfectly done.
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
clarence: This is really something cool!
Skitz: Dafunk keeps on producing these amazing remixes full of punch and originality - top marks
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
Ic3m4n: \O/ Awesome stuff!
carpii: Ahhh I love this tune, it makes me happy and thats all I want from music
Makke: Not at all my cup of tea, but it's a fresh take on Plastic Pop, and very professionally executed. I'd drop the autotuner, but hey, that's just me.
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
brix: First I thought it was just very good, but from 4:00 the tune really gets the shit going! Outstanding stuff. Partytime!
plokolp: Hey Dafunk, this tune makes me want to go out and buy the biggest, baddest speakers I can afford. Awesome.
Grigul: Awesome, absolutely awesome tune. Maybe the best one of Dafunk. Great Job!!
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
Dr-Duke: Very well done Peter W! (Not my fault but I love trance) 😊
xo: Su-bloody-perb.
Nebdar: It is so nice to listen to it. The time pass so quickly
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
slaygon: It's not only good. It's not only awesome. It's Firestorm.
chilli_uk: F*** Some samples are dodgy but this has never been dont before and jesus holy mother of god - where did you get this from! AMAZING
sumppi: He's a professional and you can hear it. Great stuff, even if the faster parts don't always really fit in IMHO.
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
Badla: Totally badlsk! Awesome.
fastrobplus: This is in my opinion the best remix of 2009.
Remodeler: Flawless. Little point in anyone else trying to do better than this!
95%
DJSquiggy: Best Ocean Loader I have heard yet!
XxDUSTYxX: Thumbs up! This one is brilliant!
Shark: Yes great work really liked it better then all these dance tracks of late and I can never get enough ocean loader remixs so cheers!
94%
YEAR 2010
The SIE: Do u mean Tears in my eyes? Cuz I have them. Great Duo. Expand it.
eliot: Congratulation, this is really great!
omoroca: Gibs rules! Added to my collection.
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Metal_VIB: Pure porn! A tad too mellow for my taste though, but a really good arrangement of the track.
TheZee: A beautiful blend of sounds! You've got real talent mate, keep up the good work!😀
Karmar: Beautiful
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
hillsman: Some of the leads aren't great, but this is an otherwise awesome compendium of some top LN tracks. Not a huge electric guitar fan, but it sounds great here!
catcher40: Amazing is all I can say. Took me back to the good old days of playing LN, loved every minute.
Mordi: Flakey lead, but otherwise great.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
LMan: The name's Funk. Moog Funk.
_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!
93%
aero: It just feels groooooooove!
LaLa: Per-fect. Soft to the ear, smooth to the brain.
NecroPolo: Drax gets Mordified. I like both factors.
93%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Palin: Oh… So immersing.
Staticborris: Excelent. Love the movie score feel to the track, keep up the great work
Unzen: Excellent tune - memories come flooding back 😊. Top work!
93%
YEAR 2012
ZnL: Awesome, good work!
Zekses: Simply outstanding as usual. I love your remixes!
DSMarine: One just doesn't walk past Mordi's music XD. Great as always.
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
drax: Pure awesomeness!!! One of the best remixes I have heard 😉
tazuk: Awesome 😀
drm: Awesome. Reminds me of Joe Satriani!!!
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.
L0rd3vyL: Awesome. Love me some rock, and you do Armand's tune supurbly.
LMan: Thank you for pointing out the tragic fate of Armand, his outstanding SID, and this outstanding remix.
93%
YEAR 2013
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!
Marcus: Great, awesome! Wall Of Sound like Razmo said before!
Zilog: Beautiful
93%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
eisei: Love the video too
oxygen: I really liked your original tone, wonderful work piece
Volkans80: Very good
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
ziona: Awesome piece, very pleasant, I am addicted to it, looping all day!
_steve_: Wow. Beezerk does it again! This is just fantastic.
Amiga4eveR: Wow!!!
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
LMan: Killer track.
L0rd3vyL: Best platoon remix I've ever heard
Mordi: Very nice soundscape! Not familiar with the original tune.
94%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?😊
timmya4000: Outstanding!!! Great choice of sounds. Love that bass
slaygon: Absolutely gorgeaus! (although slightly over-compressed)
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
Danceaway: Markus… This is just simply STUNNING mate… And you have moved up in the Orchestra arrangements for sure, love your past work but this is just STUNNING… Well done
Askrates: This is awesome on so many levels…
LMan: Markus Schneider is back, better than ever.
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
_steve_: An incredibly emotive piece
Martinflash: This is the power of Commodore 64 people.
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
0021agimA: Perfect work Dr Future!
Kate Eternal: Purrrfect!
Aule: Atmospheric Masterpiece!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
LMan: Lovely style.
LaLa: Very chillax. Clean and refined, unique and personal. Me like!
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
93%
YEAR 2016
MatrixRevolution: I Love Cybernoid!
Shark: Superb remix and liked the Cybernoid 1 part towards the end. Great stuff!
Megaboost: Absolutely Fantastic! Haven't heard anything this good in Years.
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
symbols: So Pulp Fiction! 😃
Breadbox Bill: Great jazzy remix!
Tomsk: So much fun to listen to! Excellent
94%
JustPhreak: Just great!!
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!
94%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
Sascha Michael Theel: Outstanding!!! I love it!!!😀
Tomsk: These guys can do no wrong. Sensational remix
Mordi: Wow! Cool stuff!
97%
Castor: Awesome!
LaLa: A surprisingly downtempo, melancholic arrangement, which I didn't think I'd like, but this is expertly crafted! Just lovely!
Double_maggic: Listen - vote - repeat…😊
94%
StormChild: My favorite remix of Albedo alongside with RunStop64's version(s)!
RETR-O-MAT: Wonderfull work!
nummer2: Absolutly great. Man I follow your mixes for so long but you improved on some unbelieveable level. Its perfect. Were you get all these cool sounds and ideas from. 😃
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
Clyder64: Wow… Very pleasant and relaxing tune. Great work
Shark: Perfect!
The Breaker: This is some one Awesome Top Gun, Commando Retro Remix for sure. 😃
96%
nsky: Well done!
horizoner: Brilliant, just brilliant!
KoYamaRo: Nice Arrangement and Mix, a Masterpiece!
95%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
L0rd3vyL: Lovely.
Amon73: Uno dei migliori che ho ascoltato qui 😊 Ci vorrebbero più FastLoaders nel mondo 😊 Perfetto!
JChambers: LOVE IT!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
Breadbox Bill: I love it!
_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.
96%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
Tas: It's Glyn and his name is the new word for better than epic! So, This is full of Glynness!😃
Mano: Top notch.
SID-Spieler: Epic Tune
97%
rnuls: Fantastic song from Jogeir
omoroca: After 20 seconds I knew I have to vote Outstanding. Because… It is. Great job!
symbols: Funkyness!!
97%
YEAR 2020
Murdock: A really lovely great work, Peter 😊
Walter12: Best… remix… EVER!!
Mordi: Awesome track, Peter! Your britishness is really shining through in this one, with the ELO references.😃
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.
XxDUSTYxX: Excellent collaboration! Thank you very much for this Remix, ziona, Slaygon and Peter Clarke!😊
MagicMosher: You guys should absolutely keep up the work together the harmony between the 3 styles of music takes me on a journey
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Mano: Solid, Well done.
Makke: Solid rocker!
hillsman: One of the best remixes on RKO… Period.
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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