APHEX TWIN 26 MIXES FOR CASH DOUBLE COMPILATION WARP RELEASE: MARCH 24, 2003 REVIEW: MARCH 24, 2003

I think the sheer commercialism implied in the title "26 Mixes for Cash" is as much bogus as the rumour about Richard D James driving around in a tank or, for that matter, being dead and letting a robot do all his work. Probably bullshit, in as many words. Interestingly enough, there also was a rumour preceding Mr James’s latest album, "Drukqs", that he only made that one for the money also.
Can’t the man take credit for his own genius? Because "26 Mixes for Cash" is clearly the work of one. Maybe one with bad advisors, because every single song on this elegantly packaged double-CD isn’t brilliant. But most are, for example Nine Inch Nails’ "At the Heart of It All" or the version of "Falling Free" by Curve - both uncharacteristically examples of the slightly more up-tempo second disc.
The first disc is more ambient, one almost flows through it without effort, other than marvelling over the magnificently deranged remix (apparently made in four hours) of Philip Glass’ rendition of "Heroes" by David Bowie. The rest is a little too close to easy listening for my taste, but still glorious in all its sweeping soundscapes and minimalist conjurations of loneliness.
The second disc is less coherent, but not less good. Aside from already mentioned "At the Heart of It All" one could put forth "Deep in Velvet" as another example of great electronic music. But dropping names avails to nothing and only leads to examples of songs that doesn’t defend their places at all - like pumping "We Have Arrived", originally by Mescalinum United.
But don’t read what I have written -listen to the record instead. This is a collection of 26 mixes for cash, but it’s several leagues ahead of many of the competitors in the electronic genre who have put out real albums recently. And if that isn’t a sign of genius, then I don’t know what is.

KALLE MALMSTEDT