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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
humorguy: When you played a game a lot... And then 20 years later you hear the remix. You know, better than anyone who did not play the game, but just heard the Sid. This is why I know how great this is!!
cinemaniac: Perhaps the best remix of this, the best C64 theme out there ever!
Bjorn H.: One of the first C64 remixes I ever heard. Went with me on numerous travels. Two or three thumbs up.
92%
Dumper: Absolutely 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%
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
niccin: Awesome!
Amiga4eveR: Outstanding!!!
deathrunner: What to say? But WOW!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
hillsman: Absolute genius. A true sid remix - wish there were more like it.
Cifu1978: Really nice remix, with good tunes, good vibrations and good memories.
Heshan: I LOVE this version and play it loud in my tesla
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
aero: Simply gorgeous
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
chairmankaga: One of my favourite SID remixes.
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Tas: Still sets a standard
Craze: Well, this is not the work of a hobby musician. This is professional. Extremely well performed and creative remix.
cactus007: GREAT!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
eliot: One of the best remixes ever!
omoroca: Rocks! Go Karin go!
Tas: Sexy sexy vocals
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Chili-Man: A Masterpiece!!!
Chappers: Glyn is a genius! You could be forgiven for thinking an entire orchestra was involved with this. Instant classic!
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)
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.
tony.rc: I first heard this tune @ BIT2003 and I still love it to bits!
gforg: Auuusommee!
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Mordi: Awesome! I had no idea this tune was on this site. Wtf!
Zilog: Conquest of Paradise / Vangelis samples or else I'm mistaken => very nice!
Dumper: Truly wonderful.
93%
jelly: Hauntingly haunting.
Dan: Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy!
myicq: This one on repeat, in a flight across the atlantic against the sunset. Simply awesome!
92%
Year 2004
CharlieC: Perfect!
ggeudraco: I just love the fantasy style singing mixed with orchestra mixed with the modern synthesiser. It works well, and I'm pleased I regularly request this track on SLAY
firefox: One of my favs :)....
97%
Nosferatu: It was nice to tell you in person how much I like this one.
LaLa: Vangelis meets Sweet - the result is so good, I think it's even more emotional than the original... Wow...
omoroca: Donné is god! Added to my collection.
96%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
vosla: STUNNING!!! But those hating Enigma won't love this one.
infamous: Proof that DHS aint a one trick pony.. This is a MUST have.. Wonderful tune
floaf: This is REALLY nice!
93%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
dacke: Wicked!
merl: One guinness please......:)
chabee: Well done!
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
XxDUSTYxX: This is really an outstanding and very catchy Remix! Thumbs up, man! - P. S. Grytulf: Release a better Remix... That would be the REAL surprise!;)
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)
Melaure: Very relaxing
93%
oddball: Awesome! Nice switch in style... I dedect a hint of "Go West" by the Pet Shop Boys, hehe... Smooth, light and fluffy tune...
humorguy: Now I understanded "nothing ventured, . Nothing gained". Glyn ventured and boy! Did I gain!!!!! A little risky for the site and I love it!!!!
boonz: Turn out the lights, stick the headphones on, close your eyes and listen to the music. So relaxing. Superb stuff this is!!
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
Itekei: Amazing SID, amazing remake. Thanks, guys!
ifadeo: OUTSTANDING!!! No need for more words....
duke: Great!:)
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
Zilog: Superb!
sergi80x: Great fusion between antique & modern instruments, good melody
LMan: The strings... Goosebump alert!!!
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
Nebdar: GLORIOUS
Frida Katarina: Fabulous!!
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)
XxDUSTYxX: Wow! This rocks! |m|
chilli_uk: Flash Bastard - Awesome - now get a hair cut - lol AWESOME TOTALLY
Dr. Bongo: Is there anything Reyn CAN`T do! Nuff said.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
GSC: Napierdalaj :D
prowler: It seems like Dafunk is really in the zone right now, producing like sonic wanderer did some years ago :-)
klosterkatten: This tune is great! You really improved! Well done, I cant give anything but this cute red smiley.
93%
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!
maverickbna: Another great one from Dafunk! Keep up the good work!
Waz: Another excellent job by Dafunk here. Gorgeous heavy bass and drums that underpin the tune wonderfully, and the piano lead is just the right side of full on. And you have to love those vocals - beautifully placed.
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
baztd: Fantastic. I love it!
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)
knotti: Oh yeaa partytime!!
zajos: I did not listen to Slay Radio for half year and now I checked back and this tune made my day. Great!
plokolp: Hey Dafunk, this tune makes me want to go out and buy the biggest, baddest speakers I can afford. Awesome.
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
Zilog: Simply PERFECT
xo: Su-bloody-perb.
exo: Once again you deliver, Peter. :-) Effortless flowing musical energy.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Makke: An obvious candidate for C64 Remix of the Year in my opinion. Absolutelly brilliant!
Dumper: Eftos, at least he doesn't copy other peoples tunes like you do. Great Remix.
raj: Fantastic, creative
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
mfe: Poignant in its simplicity, this piece that could have easily become boring to listen carries you all the way through on a journey that never gets tedious.
Mrcookie: Smooth and beautiful
fastrobplus: This is in my opinion the best remix of 2009.
96%
Fishs: SImpy awesome
Twinbee: A classic then and a classic now.
Bingo: The original is sooo good it just can't be spoiled :-) Great remix, excellent arrangement, the lead synth is a bit too soft for my liking.
94%
YEAR 2010
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Dees Productions: Great pads, sweet leads, fresh bassline, fine percussions = Lovely choon! Can't wait for your next masterwork! Respect.
Metal_VIB: Pure porn! A tad too mellow for my taste though, but a really good arrangement of the track.
Mordi: Cool tune. Great sounds and lovely percussion. I love your style!
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.
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)
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?
Melaure: What a wonderfull piece of Jazz. Sax, guitar, ... Not far from perfection!
Mordi: Been listening to this regularly since it's release on SceneSat Vol 2. Outstanding as ever.
93%
YogibearRenoise: Great as almost always!
_steve_: Great as usual... Very chilled
LaLa: Per-fect. Soft to the ear, smooth to the brain.
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
NecroPolo: I'm not really into orchestral remixes but only lack of hearing would let me say that I don't appreciate the work behind it much. It's a great track with great arrangement but I like the other version better.
Staticborris: Excelent. Love the movie score feel to the track, keep up the great work
Palin: Oh... So immersing.
94%
YEAR 2012
finnr: Love it. Funky as the original, all the effects added are spot on. One of my fav sids, and now one of my fav RKOs.
redhot: Still a great classic
Chordian: Absolutely wonderful remix. The chorus bits invoke true frisson.
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Peter W: Ridiculous! If you cant feel this...
LMan: Yeah ROCK! The awesomeness! Can you guys make a remix of "Commando", just like this one?
Firebolt: Excellent work. I also agree the drums should be a bit louder, more crushy.
94%
mfe: I'm not a metal fan per se, but I know when it is well done. This is well done.
Zilog: Powerful & Sweet as always, a masterpiece!
Vaggelis Papadopoulos: Amazing and powerfull Remix NecroPolo!! Kudos brother!!
94%
YEAR 2013
Marcus: Great, awesome! Wall Of Sound like Razmo said before!
KhaosLight2: Jarre in 2013 <3
Grigul: Wow, great tune. The influence by Jean-Michel Jarre is obviously, but hey - I'm a huge fan of Jarre since 1979. Great Job, Peacemaker.
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
celina w: !!!!!
eisei: Love the video too
AmiC64: For me the BEST Remixer EVER!!!! ZAJEBISTE!!!!!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
weasel: Yeah!!! What LMAN said!!! :-DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Danceaway: TOP track and agree with above... This is nice and I can play in the car with Summer time by will smith....
Lclhstr: Not my favourite style by any measure, but man :) put your HENZA-henza-HeNzA!:)
94%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
Dees Productions: Outstanding! Allthough using the signature samples this is totally a brainbuster! Making it to my top20 at once! Brilliant work dude.
LaLa: Grungy, metallic, dirty. Just like war. I can just see the platoon marching through the muddy jungle. Very, very well done!
khisanth: GREAT stuff indeed.
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
K8-bit: Beautiful. Hairs on the back of neck rising kind of good. Please do more Last Ninja themes like this!
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?:)
Jimbob: A hugely enjoyable track. The vocals work amazingly well.
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
rico: ... Gives me a lot of Game of Thrones vibes - in a very good way!
Marcus: Just aewsome!
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
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
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!
Zatuffli: Describe emotions with music. I am excited! Simply brilliant! Good Work!
druu: Bass came in and so did the goosebumps! Insta-Red. 'Nuff said!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
Kalell: Great and very suggestive Atmosphere!
Aule: Atmospheric Masterpiece!
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!
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
mfe: Takes a few too many liberties with the melody for my liking, but it's well mixed.
94%
YEAR 2016
MatrixRevolution: I Love Cybernoid!
mika: Aaaaand that one is going straight to my car playlist
wbdeejay: Love the phat bassline driving this awesome dance mix along, overlaid with delightfully simple melodies.
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
ChrisBond: What can I say, perfect Beatles like :)
Supergrobi123: Beautiful, nicely-balanced Remix
hillsman: Loving these "Surf" remixes! I really like this one and its perfect for Johan's style
94%
bgmnt: One of the best!
L0rd3vyL: Awesome! ... Just awesome!
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.
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
oxygen: Amazing remix :-)
ShakeZpear: Wow - gimme more of this!
Sascha Michael Theel: Outstanding!!! I love it!!!:-)
97%
redhot: Awesome, especially the bass line
Castor: Awesome!
kwed: One of the best Plastic Pop arrangements ever. If not the best.
94%
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. :D
Marcus: I "have to" turn up the volume. And listen the song a second time, third time... I really like it.
Mordi: Cool!
95%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
Shark: Perfect!
MatrixRevolution: I love this Melody!!!!
TbB: I want back in time.... GOD! I miss my c64 ;) Please write at least 15 words. WTF?!:-)
96%
Tas: WOW! Love the angry yet calm feel. Markus, this is sooo good. Thank you for sharing this.:)
speedy: Uhh, what to say. Great track!
horizoner: Brilliant, just brilliant!
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
Uglybob: Progressive
kwed: Too much (prog) rock for one hand!
Ryrynz: Professional. Excellent.
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
bastard: Absolutely wonderful arrangement!
C64_Gamer: Love the 2002 version and now I love this too
_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)
Marcus: Glyn really has the feeling to arrange an orchestra track with all his dynamics and emotions ( very quiet to thundering loud). I loved the old one and the new one is just great again.
grin: I really love these interpretations, very effective ear libricators!
Mano: Top notch.
98%
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
symbols: Funkyness!!
omoroca: After 20 seconds I knew I have to vote "Outstanding". Because... It is. Great job!
96%
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!
ziona: Excellent execution, and now I can’t even get it out of my head!:)
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)
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
Ryrynz: The synths don't really have the punch I want, they really need to be front and center, orchestra sounds good. Overall a nice atmosphere. Dat Slaygon tho.. @3:30 my jam.
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
hillsman: One of the best remixes on RKO.... Period.
NecroPolo: Spendid work lads!
Ryrynz: Doesn't get much better than this, it's got all the elements of a top notch remix, love the fresh new SID sound, what an evolution! Holy shit @3:00, bro we need more remixes from you here!
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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