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.
Wilfred: I have listenea t least 50 times, but still very enjoying experience. Simply brilliant piece of music!
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%
93%
countzorg: Shimmering
condor: Agreed with ommoroca - wonderful!
eliot: Very very very outstanding :)
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
gibs: Ouuuaassshhhh!!! Fuck this shit rock, this shit groove, I would like to put more than a red!!! A+++++++++ well done!
dacke: Its still the best
condor: This IS best Giana Sisters remix.
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
redbow: Definetly an outstanding enterpetation of one of my favorite tunes from the C64 era. Kudos Kudos
Heshan: I LOVE this version and play it loud in my tesla
Cifu1978: Really nice remix, with good tunes, good vibrations and good memories.
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
chairmankaga: One of my favourite SID remixes.
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.
legus: Gooood!!!
91%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Tas: Still sets a standard
Kalamarr: Enjoyed this one.
RebornOnline: A great version of my favourite C64 tune! Thanks Glyn!
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
prq: This is an excellent tune and Karin's voice is outstanding
Tas: Sexy sexy vocals
kaus: Really tender..
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
Dumper: Absolutely stunning.
Gregory Atlas: Just awesome!
lonegunman: Really Cool. You do not hear the Synthi... Wonderful!!!
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
decibel: I simply love this remix, I defy you to sit still while listening to it
zera: I hear the song already for years. And I will hear it still many years. Ingenious.
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
Amok: OMG... Powerful, Epic, Awesome... Speechless...
lolicon: Love Vangelis, love this tune! Very well composed. This delivers!
Zilog: Conquest of Paradise / Vangelis samples or else I'm mistaken => very nice!
93%
bar: The art of Vangelis+The sound of Neuronium+The touch of Suzanne Ciani=one of the best tune on RKO
bratac: Simply wonderful!
Mordi: Lovely rendition of a nice tune
92%
Year 2004
97%
humorguy: It has the sad but driving of the original......... That is enough. Yet it has more......... More........
plokolp: Love it. Still one of my favourites after listening to just about everything else!
anthem: Excellent
97%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
Sodden: Stunning!!! Top ten! Great Work..
boessu: This one has a unbelievable quality. Great work.
condor: You have started with Enigma like drums, Jarre's like voices, and style of Deep Forest. Awesome!!!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
dacke: Wicked!
humorguy: 9 for excellence 1 for courage 10/10!!!!
merl: One guinness please......:)
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
Tas: Ding, dang and dong!
infamous: This tune makes me want to have marcels babies....
ahovland: Don't have words:)
93%
Sodden: Top 10!,, Wonderful tune. Don
lem: Fine remake, well done!
anaconda: Oh, My, God. Congratulations!
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
Chainsaw: Robooooooo!!!!
Zieman: An instant favourite!
c64glen: Awesome, great version of a favourite SID. Omoroca is still a cock
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
Ph0B1uS: One word, Brilliant.
gemini_64: Excellent remix. Just what a C64 remix should be, a great tune and a brilliant production.
soppa: Whenever I get fed up with customers at my work, I just put my voip in to paperwork mode and sit back and listen to this! I love how moogs remixes are of great quality and mixing but still have that oldskool demoscene feel to them!
93%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
pixelhaufen: Damn that track is so great!
LMan: Yes, they obviously still know their shit.
gp300: An absolute masterpiece! IMO the best one of the three parts.
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret (live at The Church)
omoroca: Out-stan-ding! Added to my collection.
LaLa: The only wrong I can find with this remix is that the electric piano is too grungy for my taste. Otherwise, this is great, great stuff.
Waz: Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
klosterkatten: This tune is great! You really improved! Well done, I cant give anything but this cute red smiley.
prowler: It seems like Dafunk is really in the zone right now, producing like sonic wanderer did some years ago :-)
Man from Stars: I like it all impresinve rithmic music for me.
93%
maverickbna: Another great one from Dafunk! Keep up the good work!
clarence: This is really something cool!
chilli_uk: The more you listen the more you need to listen - great work Dafunk
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
bahamut_ger: Ums auf Deutsch zu sagen. EINFACH GEIL!! Sehr guter Track. Bitte mehr davon.
GeorgeMakarov: It's awesome! I'd have never understood she sang other song if you hadn't said it
slaygon: Very enjoyable!
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
spellcoder: Bit of '90 Cappella en some Scooter style
Mayhem: If my brother likes it then it has to be good... Stonking way to kick off 2008!
Trace: How are you not signed yet?? This is commercial quality, GREAT! :D
93%
Peter W - Stargate (Not As Trancelucent As)
Dr-Duke: Very well done Peter W! (Not my fault but I love trance) :)
LaLa: Wonderful!
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.
92%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
slaygon: It's not only good. It's not only awesome. It's Firestorm.
Hex Madroom: Brilliant! Another masterpiece from firestorm! We want more! :D
xgener8or: If Commando was made into a film by Jerry Bruckheimer, this would be the main title :) Hans Zimmer style, never thought this old dog could be remixed in a Zimmer-style so well :)
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
fastrobplus: This is in my opinion the best remix of 2009.
TNT: This is my ALL TIME favorite remix! Very emotional. I just love it!
Chainsaw: ---
96%
FuzzyDweeb: My favourite version of the classic!
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!
Tomsk: Still one of my favorites.... A class act!
94%
YEAR 2010
k_rostoen: What Mayhem shouted
p2: One off JB's better songs even gets better every time it's remixed!! F*cking great gituar solo & sound!! We want more, we want more.. Di!! This version together with Marcel Donne's and Lagerfeldt's version is my top 3 of Sweetness! -p2/h3@tw@v3
omoroca: Gibs rules! Added to my collection.
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
Mitch van Hayden: Superb!
_steve_: I can't add anything that hasn't been said above. Fantastic remix!
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)
Makke: Standing ovations from me. Only one complaint: The drums sound way too flat, static and thin for this heavy track.
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.
Arne: All in all a very good sounding remake of different "Last Ninja" musics. Thumbs up for this music!
92%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
jokesoldier: No need to say that's really, really, really nice& smooth :)
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?
93%
Wilfred: My first favourite on remix64, simple, beautiful arrangement
YogibearRenoise: Great as almost always!
LMan: I love DRAX' melodies, and I love Modi's remix.
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Unzen: Excellent tune - memories come flooding back :). Top work!
Foxfield: I want to see a movie with this one in it's soundtrack.
_steve_: Fantasitc. Like the slower pace of this one
93%
YEAR 2012
Chordian: Absolutely wonderful remix. The chorus bits invoke true frisson.
omoroca: Wrong chords from your 2008 version have been fixed. Good work! This tune is just as good as moog's outstanding version. Added to my collection.
chabee: Great! Well done!
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
Peter W: Ridiculous! If you cant feel this...
karter: M/ awesome!
Ryrynz: Epic.
94%
Chainsaw: Just awesome great. This rocks!!! Red smile, because there is no higher one!
Zilog: Powerful & Sweet as always, a masterpiece!
XxDUSTYxX: Awesome Remix, so much energy! Arman was a legend. He and his music will be missed.
94%
YEAR 2013
mfe: Rich soundscapes that whilst emulating Jarre's work also rivals it and surpasses it in a couple of ways. Great!
N3XU5: A masterpiece =)
Dees Productions: Impressive work there mate! You really managed to capture the "OMP" sound and made it sounds like JMJ! :) Right on there!
94%
LukHash - Supremacy (youtube vid)
weasel: LukHash is a BLAAAST!!!! :-D Really, really cool stuff he's doing here! KEEP ON GOING, pal! *Thumbs UP!*
NecroPolo: SID remixing at its best IMO as besides melody it is also a respectful tribute for its unique sound, too. I miss a smarter ending maybe - but I don't care. Great stuff!
eisei: Love the video too
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
gol: Had to search for my password to login, because this is dope and it had to be said
omoroca: Brilliant! Amazing! This year's summer smash hit! Added to my collection.
NecroPolo: Man that's some serious summer hit stuff that is beyond being a cool SID remix. Awesome work!
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
LMan: Killer track.
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
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
Hoylander: WOW! This is one of the best remixes I've heard here in a long time! Very expressive and emotional, very well arranged and produced. Totally loved when the Palace Gardens theme was introduced towards the end. Again great job with this one!
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.
thomassd: Cool!
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
LMan: Markus Schneider is back, better than ever.
DHS: Wow! I mean, WOW!
NecroPolo: Man I must admit that in general I greatly dislike orchestral remixes. At least the ones that are not created with so much expertise like this one. It blasts the rest out of the pool (sorry guys). Kudos Markus!
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!
Jonazz: Oh.. Yeah my film composer do it again! He really are on fire..!
GlenBenton: Brilliant!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
omoroca: Wonderful! Added to my collection.
N.o S.kill P.erformance: Das ist der erste C64-Remix-Track den ich sogar runtergeladen habe, um ihn in meinen Musikordner zu packen
XxDUSTYxX: Great work! Very enjoyable!
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
blubberdiblub: Wow, just wow! The reverberation creates a dreamy atmosphere, the bass line so powerful and the strings simply lovely.
LaLa: Very chillax. Clean and refined, unique and personal. Me like!
Pepe Pinapple: Two Steps ahead!
94%
YEAR 2016
wbdeejay: Love the phat bassline driving this awesome dance mix along, overlaid with delightfully simple melodies.
Sokratekk: Would fit in any Italo Disco set.. Great!
Jac: This is really good. Sitting at work, should go home, but want to listen again!
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
L0rd3vyL: Another fine remix from Johan Andersson
Sanjo Ride: Loved this, was juming around in my seat
Aule: The Beach Boys would have done it exactly that way!
94%
verm71: Exquisitely produced thumpy dance track!
JustPhreak: Just great!!
L0rd3vyL: Awesome! ... Just awesome!
95%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
chabee: Great work guys!
ZetaNicco: Your Will Be Doneeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
NecroPolo: It's about time for you guys to join Remix64 / RKO. Welcome onboard! Great stuff.
97%
nummer2: The whole idea of this remix is just genuis and fresh I wish it was 1-2 minutes longer and it would have been perfect
NecroPolo: Not my kind of stuff at all (there is no blood) but it is quality at its best. Great work!
HighCSharps: "Awesomeness" in one word!! Thanks
94%
96%
YEAR 2018
FastLoaders - Commando High Score
RETR-O-MAT: Awesome piece of work!
MareckiMarek: Perfect!
Amiga1200: Woooooow man!
96%
horizoner: Brilliant, just brilliant!
Tas: WOW! Love the angry yet calm feel. Markus, this is sooo good. Thank you for sharing this.:)
nous: Amazing!
96%
94%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
_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.
C64_Gamer: Love the 2002 version and now I love this too
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
97%
Glyn R Brown - Firelord (from 8Bit Symphony)
L0rd3vyL: Awesome
Tas: It's Glyn and his name is the new word for better than epic! So, This is full of Glynness!=)
Grigul: Is there anyone who can beat Glyn R. Brown? No, only Glyn himself - and he did it. He took one of his greatest Remixes - and improved it to a higher level. The old one is still epic - this one here is (my opinion): The Most Epic Track Ever!!
98%
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do... Whoa.
c64glen: Outstanding. Unfamiliar with the original but there Pink's "Who Knew" in there.
symbols: Funkyness!!
96%
YEAR 2020
Mayhem: Erm... Wow!
hillsman: A worthy best remix winner IMHO - very special indeed.
Poppykuk: This is a dangerous remix! You listen to it and then it is in your head for the rest of the day. Such a good interpretation of a favourite game-tune of mine,
96%
Peter Clarke, ziona & Slaygon - Tales of Boon (The Collaboration Mix)
NecroPolo: Welcome to the movie :)
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.
XxDUSTYxX: Excellent collaboration! Thank you very much for this Remix, ziona, Slaygon and Peter Clarke!:)
95%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
MatrixRevolution: Amazing!
hillsman: One of the best remixes on RKO.... Period.
Mano: Solid, Well done.
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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