3 out of 5

Label: Warp Records

Produced by: Richard D. James

The Ventolin mixes, spread out across two EPs and collected on one compilation, really are more effective as a sum of their parts. Combining this CD with the remixes provides a cumulative effect of loose ends tying up into something. That second part of this (the remix EP) does tend to work a bit better on its own as it has tracks that function as standalones; while this edition does include the album’s Ventolin mix (called the “Salbutamol” mix), the other mixes are pretty lowkey, picking up on a singular element and playing around with it for three to five minutes. They’re loose; sketches. And rewarding, but only with some patience and acceptance as being alternate mixes – i.e. as backup tracks to the original. Sequencing-wise, RDJ goofs around some after Salbutamol before giving us some more consistent, grimier grooves (Plain-An-Gwarry mix, The Coppice Mix), and then an airy, squirrely closer, Crowsmengegus, followed up by some digitally-voiced thank yous, which are kinda charming. …And then he thanks some serial killers, cause RDJ.

All to say: when I owned these separately, they didn’t get much airplay; the compilation is still the way to go.