5 out of 5

Label: Warp

Produced by: Richard D. James

Okay, a little confusing, since I’m going to push you towards the mixes + remixes collection of Ventolin, but I gave that one a lower rating. That is, however, the most “complete” picture of these slices and dices of Ventolin, and provides an ideal sequencing, even if you’re still somewhat sifting through the slightly thinner mixes. Because the remixes are pretty much all gold.

We get solid bookends: The “Wheeze” mix gives you the key effect from Ventolin but without the harshest elements, extending the track into more of a groove than the sonic terror of the original. And closer “Asthma Beats” is a short, stripped down grimey joint, but it’s such a cool, swaggery way to go out; a confident parallel to the mix EP’s loosey-goosey closer.

Inbetween, the tracks are complete and distinct on their own, but still connected to Ventolin. RDJ maintains the harsher vibe, while Cylob and Luke Vibert land some deep, dancey beats on their takes.

While several Ventolin cuts made their way onto the 51/13 collection, it’s not for nothing that almost this entire EP appears there; the other mixes are definitely interesting, but all of the remixes surpass that, earning their runtime and making for a perfect bundle of tracks that hit equally well on the weird, harsh, and grooving aspects of Aphex.