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
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.
Nebdar: Very good atmosphere build up and orchestral arrangment. Brilliant play and great work
Bjorn H.: One of the first C64 remixes I ever heard. Went with me on numerous travels. Two or three thumbs up.
92%
nonick: Excellent! But I'd like to know which Galway tunes have been recycled here.
t0ester: Brilliant!!
Zilog: This is AWESOME!
93%
eliot: Very very very outstanding 😊
john4p: Brilliant.
Trydowave: Best version of zoids. Obvious Jarre influence. Great stuff
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
d0cfunke: Ver nice guitarversion!!
Grigul: Another one of my personal all-time-favourites. I'm not a big fan of Rock Music, but this one… Well, it rocks. Great track.😀
stoo: There will never be a better Giana Sisters remix. These guys perfected it. Unbeatable.
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
Rko_fan_since_03: I heard this one for the first time over 6 years ago and am still amazed every time I listen to it today. My favourite Last Ninja remix.
REYN: Best energy, best buildup, best drum programming EVER!!! Gigantic!!
NecroPolo: A masterwork on a masterpiece. Period.
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
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
Amok: Absolutely outstanding tune
Melaure: Very nice voice
plokolp: One of the best pieces of music I have ever listened to. Never get tired of listening to this. Pink Floyd should recruit Karin for the Great Gig in the Sky!
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Gregory Atlas: Just awesome!
brix: WTF?! ! This is great!
Pietafon: Awesome!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
ulfepulf: Love it!
wipu: The perfect energizer, you just cannot stay still.
Ryrynz: I used to play this at work in the store… Good times. Love it.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
NecroPolo: This one is stunning. Damn! Quality is timeless.
Supergrobi123: Ooooooutstanding, man!!!
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.
93%
bratac: Simply wonderful!
Mordi: Lovely rendition of a nice tune
myicq: This one on repeat, in a flight across the atlantic against the sunset. Simply awesome!
91%
Year 2004
kwed: Glyn says this is an unmastered/unfinished mix. I can't for the life of me hear anything wrong with it. Superb!
rico: The way it should be done!
AdSalusNonAptus: Hail to the king, baby! Hans Zimmer go home!
97%
Gildan: Cant fault this, another great mix of this tune and when that guitar kicks in it sounds just perfect… Fantastic work by Marcel, always a joy to hear something by him
Peter S: Fantastic!
vosla: Gosh! Marvelous!
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
NecroPolo: Excellent rendition. No more, no less.
moog: That's my type!😊
Breadbox Bill: Fantastic remix!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
tags: Absolutely brilliant 😊
nettuno: … A Celtic song? WOW!
raiden: Super track… It feels like a movie! Haha
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
L0rd3vyL: Awesome remix, Marcel
LaLa: Fourteen years later and still sounding amazing!
humorguy: Zero to 3 minutes is the great foreplay, From then to 5:57 is the orgasm… Pure delight
92%
aero: Fantastic, thanks alot glyn!
raiden: Outstanding GREAT! Welcome Back Glyn! Good to hear That he's still alive! Great Mix.^^
o2: This is so damn nice.
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMania - Robocop Title
binster: Grin-inducingly uplifting - top dollar!
buzzard: Although a little sedate for my taste, technically awesome, would love to see something more upbeat. Don't ever stop remixing!
psybass: <3
95%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
klosterkatten: Perfect piano play, it feels like im never gonna get tired of this one.
supercell: Wow, this is groovy and somewhat medieval sounding 😀 Lead synth is not in its place (too sharp/artificial, a sinus waveform would sound better IMO) but still a red one for Moog
g3r: The r n'b feeling to this track with that special lead is simply awesome.
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
Kelsaurian: Absolute ballar!
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)
Kozio1: Marvelous
MatrixRevolution: Not bad, not bad!
inqisit0r: Very nice. Update:This obviously deserves an outstanding. Amazing. This is a flowing, imaginative, original composition. Everything comes together.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
chilli_uk: In the past you have been guilty of mastering issues - I cant fault this years work and this is AWESOME
Man from Stars: I like it all impresinve rithmic music for me.
k_rostoen: What Skitz said.
93%
Nebdar: It is outstanding it instantly focus my attention and ears on this track
chilli_uk: The more you listen the more you need to listen - great work Dafunk
Ryrynz: Hawt stuff.
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
GeorgeMakarov: It's awesome! I'd have never understood she sang other song if you hadn't said it
Unreal: Its very lovely, I like it very much!!! +++ Max points
Dr-Duke: Very well done Mordi! *takes hat off* And here comes the red one from me… *click*
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
Grigul: Awesome, absolutely awesome tune. Maybe the best one of Dafunk. Great Job!!
Nada: Nice!!!
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.
prowler: Very professional dreamtrance! A bit sleepy at times, but very enjoyable.
xo: Su-bloody-perb.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Melaure: Excellent
drax: AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
madfiddler: Simply awesome! WELL DONE!
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
Waz: Deliciously good and sounds smooth and clear throughout.
Mayhem: Take one fairly unknown SID. Go in a different direction to how Mixer made his (superb) remix of it. Produce something sublime that matches it in quality. Welcome back Jogeir 😊
LaLa: Mellow, moody, ambient - just like the SID version. I don't think the original tune can sound this good. Bravo!
95%
redhot: Perfect remix!
mace: Damn, another masterpiece to the Mordi collection to play during those long drives alone. Love the purity how all is put together.
Comajim: WEeeeee!
94%
YEAR 2010
ulfepulf: Jeje
chabee: Amazing!
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)
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!😀
Dees Productions: Great pads, sweet leads, fresh bassline, fine percussions = Lovely choon! Can't wait for your next masterwork! Respect.
92%
SIDrip Alliance - From First to Last (AROK12 tribute mix)
catcher40: Amazing is all I can say. Took me back to the good old days of playing LN, loved every minute.
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.
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!!!
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?
jokesoldier: No need to say that's really, really, really nice& smooth 😊
Karmar: Bad? Why? It's amazing cover! THX moog!
93%
Melaure: Excellent work again, and as unreal says with a touch fo Amiga! Congratulations!
hillsman: An absolute screamer!
Dees Productions: The perfect mix of a perfect song. Like to drizzle honey all over the floor and just roll around!
93%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
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!
Foxfield: I want to see a movie with this one in it's soundtrack.
MattMaybee: Wow! Really different but really good!
93%
YEAR 2012
mfe: This one just pips Moog's version as my favourite. Well done!
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.
_steve_: Fantastic version of this classic drax sid
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Frida Katarina: Wow! I heard this and wondered if it was Steve Morse on the guitar. Made me happy!
chabee: Great work guys! Rock!😊
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%
chabee: Great as it is!
Zilog: Powerful & Sweet as always, a masterpiece!
bordeaux: Great tribute, awesome guitars - thanks a lot!
93%
YEAR 2013
Ryrynz: Nicely done.
Nebdar: You hit my soft spot witthis remix too great job
Dees Productions: Impressive work there mate! You really managed to capture the OMP sound and made it sounds like JMJ! 😊 Right on there!
93%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
DSMarine: As the vote says… Simply Outstanding!
Crono: Masterpiece!
XxDUSTYxX: Outstanding Remix! |m|
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
ziona: Awesome piece, very pleasant, I am addicted to it, looping all day!
Lclhstr: Not my favourite style by any measure, but man 😊 put your HENZA-henza-HeNzA!😊
Cyanuric: A little thin if you ask me but cool stuff nontheless!
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
Kate Eternal: Wonderful!
The SIE: Outstanding it is…
Nightmare23: Great one, the speech at the end was a bit sloppy and could have been better.
94%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
slaygon: Absolutely gorgeaus! (although slightly over-compressed)
chabee: Great!❤️
Jojje70: The female vocals does a wonderful job in this remix, totally lifts it to a higher level! Great production and arrangement, nicely done.
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
Ahriakin: Great work! Another for the 'cant believe that's a C64 remix' playlist for the family 😊
LaLa: Cinematic! Epic! Orchestral! Welcome back, Markus!!!
Marcus: Just aewsome!
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
LMania: Sweet, sweet violins.
Jojje70: Incredible. Touching. Inspiring. Simply beautiful…
NecroPolo: This track is made of harmony, musicality and honour. Maximum respect, man!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
XxDUSTYxX: Great work! Very enjoyable!
Ahriakin: Great version, fantastic mix.
LaLa: Lovely arrangement, Western-style oriental ambience done right.
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
LaLa: Very chillax. Clean and refined, unique and personal. Me like!
timmya4000: Absolutely fantastic, top notch, faultless
Dr.Piotr: Lindsey Stirling she played Mr. T
93%
YEAR 2016
Dr.Piotr: Best guitar by Imany and god action on the bass
MatrixRevolution: I Love Cybernoid!
Blackstar: For me this is a just as a perfect remix of a C64 tune should sound like.
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
Supergrobi123: Beautiful, nicely-balanced Remix
Tomsk: So much fun to listen to! Excellent
vurtx: Just perfect in all areas.
94%
JustPhreak: Just great!!
verm71: Exquisitely produced thumpy dance track!
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.
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
Brosa: Holy cow… Full throttle, love it!
NecroPolo: It's about time for you guys to join Remix64 / RKO. Welcome onboard! Great stuff.
teo: What a great first remix! Igy tovább!
97%
Ryrynz: Would like something more like Apollo2k's version but no denying the quality of this.
Shargo: MRT and Danko o/ O/ o/
Mordi: Well done! A pleasant listening experience. Edit: Relistening two months later. It's really nice!
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
xgener8or: Really good vibes 😊 Could be at the end of a movie with a ferrari driving into the sunset along a mountain road. Haha
TbB: I want back in time… GOD! I miss my c64 😉 Please write at least 15 words. WTF?!😊
MatrixRevolution: I love this Melody!!!
96%
kwed: Epic is the only word that can describe this one.
wbdeejay: As wonderfully Moody and Detailed as the original.
DHS: Wow. Simply WOW.
95%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
hillsman: Unbelievable. Please do a Ghouls 'n' Ghosts album!!
Ryrynz: Professional. Excellent.
Amon73: Uno dei migliori che ho ascoltato qui 😊 Ci vorrebbero più FastLoaders nel mondo 😊 Perfetto!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
bastard: Absolutely wonderful arrangement!
_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)
Ryrynz: Love this but prefer the 2002 version's overall expression, just needs a remix up to this level of quality and boom… Masterpiece.
grin: I really love these interpretations, very effective ear libricators!
Seedgroup: Pure Gold!
97%
rnuls: Fantastic song from Jogeir
Mordi: Dane meets Liljedahl! Highly enjoyable!
symbols: Funkyness!!
97%
YEAR 2020
Shark: What a great remix, like you peter spent many an hour on this game and the remix of the soundtrack is perfect, Sega would be proud!
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?
Mayhem: Erm… Wow!
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.
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
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Mano: Solid, Well done.
Bistecca104: Wow! Just WOW!
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.
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