26 Mixes for Cash

Before Aphex Twin, remixes were simply dancefloor fodder and singles filler, hired out and produced, with an eye to crossover success in different markets with what was essentially the same piece of music. After Aphex Twin, though, dozens of electronic and experimental outfits considered entire remix albums de rigueur. A remix, for the notorious recluse Richard D. James, was simply another way to release his music, and, as the title of this remix collection indicates, earn some money off the backs of clueless record labels. James was reported to have created remixes using none of the given source material, sent along work with no connection to the artist involved, and even played the middleman for the productions of a flatmate. Never mind the methods, it's clearly the results that count, and "26 Mixes for Cash" comprises some of the most creative, breathtaking music produced by anyone in electronica.