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.
banador: Just so good and interesting picture of the Nemesis that this music creates.
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!!
92%
LaLa: Almost two decades later still a powerful, emotional remix, a must-have classic!
eliot: The original can not be beaten by any remake 😀
karter: Must have for every collection. Outstanding!
93%
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
countzorg: Shimmering
Trydowave: Best version of zoids. Obvious Jarre influence. Great stuff
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
dacke: Its still the best
anaconda: Simply the best remix ever done. All time favourite!
kyl1000: Good job!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
hillsman: Absolute genius. A true sid remix - wish there were more like it.
infamous: The transition in the middle is BRILLIANT, tonka really know's how to get into your head and make you listen up, top notch tune. Wish he'd do a few more such a great talent.
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!!!
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
plokolp: Love this. 2 tunes in one.
chairmankaga: One of my favourite SID remixes.
aero: Simply gorgeous
90%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Nebdar: One of my favorite, exelent
cactus007: GREAT!
Hutch75: Brilliant!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
prq: This is an excellent tune and Karin's voice is outstanding
migu: So very beautiful still.
allannoe: Outstanding!
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Ansoe: Powerful, magnificent!
infamous: I have no idea why I didnt vote this earlier… Maybe cos im a twat? Anyway… Obvious red face, sits right at the pinnacle of remix's… And remains the high overlord of all remixes to come…
Gregory Atlas: Just awesome!
95%
Year 2003
Lagerfeldt - Dutch Breeze/Robocop 3 (Progressive Uplift)
bordeaux: Still one of my favorite remixes ever after 3 years!
JCM Leader: Awesome
Ryrynz: I used to play this at work in the store… Good times. Love it.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Zilog: Conquest of Paradise / Vangelis samples or else I'm mistaken => very nice!
Mordi: Awesome! I had no idea this tune was on this site. Wtf!
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%
91%
Year 2004
97%
CharlieC: I think this version is better than Mordi's, because of the bass line. Sinus bass rules!
Sodden: One more tune to save!!
Nosferatu: It was nice to tell you in person how much I like this one.
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
condor: You have started with Enigma like drums, Jarre's like voices, and style of Deep Forest. Awesome!!!
Netopejr: This is what a REMIX means! Inovative, personal and - last but not least - PROFESSIONAL!
Breadbox Bill: Fantastic remix!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
stallkerl: Great God!. … This is magnificent, this is brilliant!. … By far the best remix I've heard so far! (I just LOVE this celtic stuff!)
mfe: Clever, but just missing something that completes it…
tball: Brilliant, especially the lyrics. Not sure what else to say.
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
LaLa: Fourteen years later and still sounding amazing!
Wilfred: Definitely one of the best tune from 2005.
_steve_: A piece completely worthy of the outstanding vote. Extremely atmospheric with amazing ambience and instrumentation.
92%
kjetiln: Speachless
oddball: Awesome! Nice switch in style… I dedect a hint of Go West by the Pet Shop Boys, hehe… Smooth, light and fluffy tune…
aero: Fantastic, thanks alot glyn!
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
XxDUSTYxX: This one is brilliant! The guitar-sound, the ambience and the mixing is just perfect! Thumbs up!
xgener8or: AWESOME!!! I've been waiting for a decent remix of this title, and this is absolutely gorgeous.
Ph0B1uS: A really good remix. I LOVE the guitar in this one, a defininite faviourite
95%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
dafunk: Oooh boy, I've been waiting for this for sooo long! 😊 Top notch moogie, my friend! 😃
widar: Amazing, simply amazing! The best?
chilli_uk: Its ok for a POLAK! LOL Gratuluję ;- Moog as you see my polish is getting better - this is my fav tune of yours Na Zdrowie
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
Dr. Bongo: I REALLY like this. I`m jelous of the guitar work, wish mine was up to that standard.
LokkoLori: This is Supremacy… Literally
weasel: Hahaha!! Remixae SUPREMACY!!! Great version again, guys!! Yeah…
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
bordeaux: 😊 enjoyed the entire session 😊 thumbs up!
Dumper: Stunning.
arraknis: One of the best I ever heared!
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
Peter W: Here's that dreamy sound again with a taste of a melodic trance breeze, great stuff!
infamous: Brilliant. Nothing else needs to be said.
bratac: Excellent, it has melody and yet is trancy.
93%
klosterkatten: Funky.
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
emrebulsat: Very nice. I like Dafunk's stuff
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
karter: Very well done. If you check out the original composers site (http://www.danko.se/) you can find his own remade version under the playlist section.
MattTheroux: This is the best song on rainwave. Cc.
nummer2: What can I say its Mordi time again 😃 Nice to see that you read the song in a several way as Anthonys The Past Remix.
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
Ishma: Excellent!!!
BeeZerk: Top notch tune, clear production, great transitions, prof arrangement and perfect lenght. The hookline is the thing I like the most, awesome work.
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)
L0rd3vyL: My second favorite Peter W tune.
LaLa: Wonderful!
exo: Once again you deliver, Peter. 😀 Effortless flowing musical energy.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
sumppi: He's a professional and you can hear it. Great stuff, even if the faster parts don't always really fit in IMHO.
Ziphoid: I don't know what to say. This is just pure perfection.
Ryrynz: Done in a very epic movie like style, with obvious Unreal Tournament style instruments. Best remix of the year! What a treat!
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
Badla: Totally badlsk! Awesome.
Jezza: Amazing remix of a great sid!
Melaure: Masterpiece
95%
ScottMcUK: Thank you soooo much for this. Hope you pay homage to some of the other Ocean Loaders also.
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!
jokesoldier: I just want to discover some uncharted land now, thanks Mordi!
94%
YEAR 2010
ulfepulf: Jeje
horizoner: This one blew me away - AWESOME!!!
Arne: Awesome one - absolutely great remix!!! Chappeau!
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.
Mitch van Hayden: Superb!
Zilog: Exquisite!
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.
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!!!
Spite: A very good (and unique) remix of Last Ninja tunes. A but flat on the drums and the bass could go up a bit, but the uniqueness of the remix still makes it one of the best rock-remixes so far this year.
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
Melaure: What a wonderfull piece of Jazz. Sax, guitar,. … Not far from perfection!
nettuno: Excellent, melody, arrangement and a style unique. WOW!
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?
93%
Dees Productions: The perfect mix of a perfect song. Like to drizzle honey all over the floor and just roll around!
chabee: Nice Re-Remix 😊
Wilfred: My first favourite on remix64, simple, beautiful arrangement
93%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Staticborris: Excelent. Love the movie score feel to the track, keep up the great work
Poppykuk: Love it! (and the other one LOL)
Pandarific: I absolutely LOVE THIS!
93%
YEAR 2012
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
rotteroy: Horns up!!!
_steve_: Just need to bring that bass end out more, to really feel the bass drum and bass guitars.
Peter W: Ridiculous! If you cant feel this…
93%
XxDUSTYxX: Awesome Remix, so much energy! Arman was a legend. He and his music will be missed.
mfe: I'm not a metal fan per se, but I know when it is well done. This is well done.
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!
Zilog: Beautiful
monty: Never expected Kitaro to join RKO. Welcome, dude! 😃
93%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
AmiC64: For me the BEST Remixer EVER!!! ZAJEBISTE!!!
XxDUSTYxX: Outstanding Remix! |m|
p2: Love it! Just like all the other work of LukHash!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
omoroca: Brilliant! Amazing! This year's summer smash hit! Added to my collection.
Amiga4eveR: Wow!!!
_steve_: Wow. Beezerk does it again! This is just fantastic.
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
Mordi: Very nice soundscape! Not familiar with the original tune.
c64glen: Brillant. Sounds very dirty to start with and then has some glorious guitars.
Kate Eternal: Wonderful!
94%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Mayhem: Excellent for what's there, now how about the whole track?😊
omoroca: Best R:K:O upload in months! Although this sounds unfinished somehow! Is there any more of this? I love the self-esteems this tune comes with. Added to my collection.
Zilog: Goosebumps everytime!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
Askrates: This is awesome on so many levels…
infamous: Markus has always been a fantastic musician and all thats changed over the years to me is the increase in production values, great stuff as always.
betelzeus: Holy Shnikeys That's awesome… Angels and Demons meets Pirates… Some of the 'machine gun' strings bother me just a little. Other than that though… Nice… Very nice, definitely a red from me 😊
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Jojje70: Incredible. Touching. Inspiring. Simply beautiful…
GlenBenton: Brilliant!
Martinflash: This is the power of Commodore 64 people.
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
omoroca: Wonderful! Added to my collection.
Ahriakin: Great version, fantastic mix.
0021agimA: Perfect work Dr Future!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
Ryrynz: Wow, that's quite the remix.
JustPhreak: Awesome job!!
nummer2: Love it 😊
93%
YEAR 2016
Blackstar: For me this is a just as a perfect remix of a C64 tune should sound like.
symbols: Most Excellent Sir! Bodayshus!
Shark: Superb remix and liked the Cybernoid 1 part towards the end. Great stuff!
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
vurtx: Just perfect in all areas.
LaLa: 100% Beach Boys feeling.
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
94%
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.
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.
JustPhreak: Just great!!
94%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
teo: What a great first remix! Igy tovább!
Tomsk: These guys can do no wrong. Sensational remix
Sascha Michael Theel: Outstanding!!! I love it!!!😀
97%
kwed: One of the best Plastic Pop arrangements ever. If not the best.
redhot: Awesome, especially the bass line
Double_maggic: Listen - vote - repeat…😊
94%
XxDUSTYxX: Awesome!
RETR-O-MAT: Wonderfull work!
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
lubber: Perfect cover! Thanks for those 3, 5 minutes!
LaLa: Wow! Just wow! Perfect!
Jojje70: Crisp and very well produced with nice improvs!
96%
marcel: Is there a superlative for epic? If there is, than this remix is it! Amazing bit of work Sir!
nous: Amazing!
KoYamaRo: Nice Arrangement and Mix, a Masterpiece!
95%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
GlenBenton: Wow, man!
L0rd3vyL: Lovely.
kwed: Too much (prog) rock for one hand!
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
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.
96%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
Chris Abbott: A huge upgrade to the iconic 2002 version. Make sure you catch the pure symphony version at http://www.8-bit-symphony.com
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.
kwed: Turns out the only way to top Glyn R Browns 16-year old symphonic remix was to have Glyn himself come back and update it. Amazing stuff and instant classic if I ever heard one!
97%
c64glen: Outstanding. Unfamiliar with the original but there Pink's Who Knew in there.
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do… Whoa.
symbols: Funkyness!!
97%
YEAR 2020
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?
Murdock: A really lovely great work, Peter 😊
peltazoid: Amazing!
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
NecroPolo: Welcome to the movie 😊
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!😊
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Ahriakin: Great remix, lots of energy while respecting the source.
MatrixRevolution: Amazing!
Mordi: SIDNIFY = Quality. Punchy track!
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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