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
Capitaine: Crazyyy! It's just the original tune atmosphere. Many thanks for this :)
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!!
das.Mordschaf: Its just GREAT <3
92%
soppa: Absolutely stunning remix, so simple (as the sid) but yet so eerie and deep feel to it, also love the selection of ambient sounds in this.
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%
countzorg: Shimmering
eliot: Very very very outstanding :)
Nebdar: How such a small tune can be so much beautiful
92%
Year 2001
machinae supremacy - Great Giana Sisters
stoo: There will never be a better Giana Sisters remix. These guys perfected it. Unbeatable.
NWorXParallax: It'a a fantastic work. I can't get off. Let's play it again!!
Andersson: This is just too good to be true!
96%
Tonka - Last Ninja - Palace Gardens (Loader)
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.
migu: This popped up from my RKO playlist on random. Hadn't rated this and couldn't believe it's from 2001 (it's dec 2015 now). Amazing work!
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!!!
93%
DHS - Max Headroom (Orbital 3241 Elevator Mix)
humorguy: Great value for money DHS just keeps on doin' it!
aero: Simply gorgeous
plokolp: Love this. 2 tunes in one.
91%
Year 2002
Glyn R Brown - Firelord - Symphonic
Man from Stars: Great!
kaus: Yeah my glyn favourite
chosc: This is my favourite song here on remix. Kwed. Org
96%
Mahoney - Armageddon Man (Vocal Jazz feat. Karin Öjehagen)
Tasslehoff: Through the Soul
Mrcookie: Marvelous!
layson: Simply outstanding, definitely a top 5 track. Great piano and vocals.
95%
Glyn R Brown - Gordian Tomb Adventures
oddball: Gets better with every time I listen to this masterpiece!
Ansoe: Powerful, magnificent!
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!
stoo: When I was a kid I used to load the Robocop 3 demo just to hear this, and the intro never fails to give me goosebumps. Jeroen Tel is a god and Lagerfeldt's remix is legendary.
schnaggi: Yeeeeah!
93%
Thomas Detert - Supernova (the slow tune)
soppa: Marvelous remix, the production is of course excellent but this is just so well thought out it's bound to stay on my playlist for a long long time.
humorguy: I give this an Outstanding, because it Satnds Out from the rest by quite a margin. Excellent.
Amok: OMG... Powerful, Epic, Awesome... Speechless...
93%
91%
Year 2004
jemym: OMG... O_O
PICRARD: Wow what a theme!!!! Great!!!
Cadwaladr: I used to play this in the arcades for the music, thank god it didnt sound this good or Id be totally penniless
97%
CharlieC: I think this version is better than Mordi's, because of the bass line. Sinus bass rules!
Sideside: Cs-80!!!
Waz: This is easily the best mix of Sweet, and for one reason: it's kept all the emotion that the C64 original had, and added plenty of good timed instruments (got to love the guitar work there). It's utterly brilliant and gets my vote as remix of 2004 so far
96%
DHS - The Human Race (Bando alle Seghe)
c64glen: DHS covers Hubbard like no one else can....
vosla: STUNNING!!! But those hating Enigma won't love this one.
Skitz: It just proves that DHS can make more than just UNZ! This is lovely!
94%
Year 2005
Makke - Artura(Dublin Delight Mix) feat. Andreas Wallström
ulfepulf: Nice one :)
bigtabs: Fantastic!
condor: I can't believe I didn't vote for this tarck :D
95%
Marcel Donné - Something Stranger Remake
DHS: Standing ovation from me. This is spine chilling and procured some erections too :)
Dan: I upgraded this after a couple of listens.... Just after that 3 min mark is just amazing.. Its been a long time coming but Marcel sure knows how to work a tune
infamous: This tune makes me want to have marcels babies....
93%
winc: This is very high quality and professional remix. LOVELY work!
Dan: Glyn has been harking on about this tune for well over a year now and what a welcome return, fekin awesome I tell ya!
raiden: Outstanding GREAT! Welcome Back Glyn! Good to hear That he's still alive! Great Mix.^^
92%
Year 2006
Andy Gilmour & LMan - Robocop Title
Chainsaw: Robooooooo!!!!
ifadeo: OUTSTANDING!!! No need for more words....
the_jinx: One of the best remixes ever.. I have a lot of late 80's early 90's feelings pop up evrytime I play it..
96%
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Tristess
sergi80x: Great fusion between antique & modern instruments, good melody
Reyn: Great great remix! And also a very nice composition! Superb..
dafunk: Oooh boy, I've been waiting for this for sooo long! :) Top notch moogie, my friend! :D
94%
machinae supremacy - Sidology 2 Trinity
DMC: Pheeew. What can I say? This one is dope! 8:17 - 10:22 kicks ass!!! Mixing is sometimes a bit messy but nothing I can´t live with. Outstanding vote for outstanding work!!!
Snake1: Brilliant!
Kelsaurian: Absolute ballar!
93%
YEAR 2007
Reyn Ouwehand - Green Beret [live at The Church]
murQla: Absolutely fantastic!
moog: Did I mention I wanna join to Your church?:)
stainless_steel: Awesome rulage by master reyn rockin the curch. Amen!
97%
Dafunk - Destruction - The New Beginning (rmx)
_steve_: Fantastic sounds. Absolutely brilliant track
prowler: It seems like Dafunk is really in the zone right now, producing like sonic wanderer did some years ago :-)
k_rostoen: What Skitz said.
93%
knotti: Nice beat Nice Track
mace: I've been waiting for a looong time for one of my fav artists to make a move and I must say it was worth waiting for!! Fab stuff Daf!!
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
93%
YEAR 2008
Mordi - Plastic Pop (I Miss You mix)
Ryrynz: You gotta like this kinda slow sweet beat type music to appreciate this remix.. Something more upbeat would have been cool. Production is top notch and that's why im giving it red.
goblin: What can I say, a fantastic take on a great tune... I'd love to hear more Danko remixes like this one
mace: True Jewel, love your pure perfect style in the mixes, more please!
93%
Dafunk - Hardcore Power (We Believe In Goa - Remix)
Agemixer: Nicely advancing one, good development since the original which is awesome aswell! I just love all the melodic "silent moments" in the middle and especially all those dafunk style, strong low modulation sounds.. Kickass!
jailbird: Dafunk for teh win! /me dances
knotti: Oh yeaa partytime!!
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.
93%
YEAR 2009
Firestorm - Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit)
Andersson: I would sell my firstborn to see a live version of this :D
bosone: Perfect for an hollywood movie!!!!!!!! Absolutely great!!
Gothmog: Woha! O_O RESPECT!!!!
96%
Jogeir Liljedahl - Synth Sample - The Stationary Ark
dragonkiss: Briliant remix
Zlorfik500: A wild and unfettered masterpiece!
LMan: Sweetness. The kind of remix I'd label "definitive".
96%
94%
YEAR 2010
drax: Excellence!!! I think there is a bug in the original sid-file. Just found the original prg-file and it sounds a bit different... This one covers the sid-file from hvsc.
Mischue: Just chilling..
chabee: Amazing!
95%
Chabee - Baboon (Skydive ReMix)
condor: Sounds, details... Brilliant! Reminded me to moog's remixes.
Mitch van Hayden: Superb!
Karmar: Beautiful
93%
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.
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.
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.
93%
YEAR 2011
moog (Sebastian Bachliñski) - Jazzcat (007)
chabee: The sax plays amazing! Nice work!
nettuno: Excellent, melody, arrangement and a style unique. WOW!
Melaure: What a wonderfull piece of Jazz. Sax, guitar, ... Not far from perfection!
93%
Melaure: Excellent work again, and as unreal says with a touch fo Amiga! Congratulations!
Ryrynz: Once again Mordi delivers us beautiful sounds.
_steve_: Great as usual... Very chilled
94%
Peter Clarke - Ocean Loader 3 (Cinematic remix)
Foxfield: I want to see a movie with this one in it's soundtrack.
Shark: Liked it a lot and loved the THX type logo theme around 1.30.:)
Unzen: Excellent tune - memories come flooding back :). Top work!
94%
YEAR 2012
zajos: :) :) :) Sounds amazing! Up to date, pro sound still reminds me of the original era.
drax: That is an excellent remix of one my oldies :)... Quite like the intro of it :)... Very well done - I am so flattered that you remix so many of my sids :)
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.
94%
Andreas Wallström and NecroPolo - DMC demo IV 2 (Celtic Mission mix)
drax: Pure awesomeness!!!! One of the best remixes I have heard ;)
Slayer: Now, thats music!:)
tazuk: Awesome :o)
94%
Chainsaw: Just awesome great. This rocks!!! Red smile, because there is no higher one!
bordeaux: Great tribute, awesome guitars - thanks a lot!
LMan: Thank you for pointing out the tragic fate of Armand, his outstanding SID, and this outstanding remix.
93%
YEAR 2013
Ryrynz: Nicely done.
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.
Marcus: Great, awesome! Wall Of Sound like Razmo said before!
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!*
eisei: Love the video too
AmiC64: For me the BEST Remixer EVER!!!! ZAJEBISTE!!!!!
93%
BeeZerk - BeeZerk - Blasphemy (Feat. Pallaso & Kage)
Cyanuric: A little "thin" if you ask me but cool stuff nontheless!
Danceaway: TOP track and agree with above... This is nice and I can play in the car with Summer time by will smith....
_steve_: Wow. Beezerk does it again! This is just fantastic.
93%
YEAR 2014
Slaygon - Platoon (Inexperti belli)
Worped: Absolutely epic!
LaLa: Grungy, metallic, dirty. Just like war. I can just see the platoon marching through the muddy jungle. Very, very well done!
druu: Outstanding indeed! From the very first version to this piece of gold, it just keeps getting better! Chills well deserved.
95%
Robert Engstrand - The Mansion Gardens (Last Ninja medley)
DJNutzZ: YES!!!
Neo-Rio: Deus-Ex: Human (or ninja) Revolution? I'm not sure if it was a deliberate homage to that game, but I loved it. Perhaps if SID lead sounds were a bit lower, it'd be perfect. As it is, send it to Eidos Montreal and see what they say!
slaygon: Absolutely gorgeaus! (although slightly over-compressed)
93%
Markus Schneider - Enlightenment - Druid II
Thiad: This is Great. Cool Remix.
Askrates: This is awesome on so many levels…
The SIE: Well, what more can I say when everything is already said. OUTSTANDING.
93%
Year 2015
Slaygon - Never Die (Skitz lives forever)
Nickenstein: This is seriously fucking beautiful, Slaygon! (In my head, Skitz will never die.)
_steve_: An incredibly emotive piece
GlenBenton: Brilliant!
96%
Dr Future - Fist II - The Legend Continues
ChrisLo: Wow! Perfect piece, arragement, sounds, ambient!
gerd: Excellent choice of instruments
omoroca: Wonderful! Added to my collection.
95%
MRT - Eagles (Easy Flight mix)
James T. Kork: Just brilliant.
timmya4000: Absolutely fantastic, top notch, faultless
LaLa: Very chillax. Clean and refined, unique and personal. Me like!
95%
YEAR 2016
Megaboost: Absolutely Fantastic! Haven't heard anything this good in Years.
DSMarine: I never liked the dance places back in the day... But maybe I just needed tracks like this one. D
Mordi: Cool! Very original take on the source. I like the mood.
96%
Johan Andersson - Out Run - Splash Wave (surf mix)
Aule: The Beach Boys would have done it exactly that way!
symbols: So Pulp Fiction! :D
LaLa: 100% Beach Boys feeling.
95%
94%
YEAR 2017
SIDNIFY - Supremacy (Overprime mix)
Amiga4eveR: Superb!
Mayhem: Well this is a fine way to introduce yourself :)
Haxel: Beautiful mixing and gorgeous arrangement!
97%
LaLa: A surprisingly downtempo, melancholic arrangement, which I didn't think I'd like, but this is expertly crafted! Just lovely!
Mordi: Well done! A pleasant listening experience. Edit: Relistening two months later. It's really nice!
Double_maggic: Listen - vote - repeat...:)
96%
95%
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
DSMarine: This tune always hits me in my weak spot, and this version is superb!!
bahamut_ger: Great Work!!!
97%
ozzy1: Epic!
KoYamaRo: Nice Arrangement and Mix, a Masterpiece!
Marcus: The perfect mix! The shouts speak for themselves. Could be a Hans Zimmer score!
96%
FastLoaders - Ghouls and Ghosts
LaLa: Straight off their Progressive 64 album. Superb there, superb here.
hillsman: Unbelievable. Please do a Ghouls 'n' Ghosts album!!
ChrisC.: Fastloaders Metal Gods!
95%
YEAR 2019
Peter Clarke - Firelord - Symphonic (a nod to Glyn)
C64_Gamer: Love the 2002 version and now I love this too
JustPhreak: Outstanding work!
Breadbox Bill: I love it!
98%
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.
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.
97%
aix: I don't comment very often, but when I do... Whoa.
omoroca: After 20 seconds I knew I have to vote "Outstanding". Because... It is. Great job!
mrt: Fantastic work! Thanks
97%
YEAR 2020
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,
Paulie68000: One of my all time favourite arcade pieces; I love the seamless blend of genres from the opening strings to the guitar break near the end. Pure class.
NecroPolo: Lovely stuff Peter! I love the guitar playing especially.
95%
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.
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.
Marcus: I can't remember the game but wow what a score! . If this great track is 3rd place what is 2nd and 1st in the remix competition.
94%
SIDNIFY - The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Makke: Solid rocker!
MatrixRevolution: Amazing!
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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