Don't Stop No Sleep (Tale Of Us remix) - (7:30) 128 BPM
Don't Stop No Sleep (Roman Poncet & DJ Deep remix) - (6:51) 130 BPM
Review: Radio Slave's 2014 release gets the remix treatment from some of the biggest names in house and techno. First up is Robert Hood's version, where the Detroit veteran takes the original track's vocal loop and sets it against firing percussion and a barrelling techno rhythm. It builds up to a heady climax courtesy of some churning chords. Meanwhile, the Tale of Us interpretation focuses on letting the vocal unravel over a juddering kick, wiry percussion and dramatic chords - while the formidable pairing of Roman Poncet and DJ Deep head down a similar route, albeit one inhabited by garbled synth hooks and crisp claps.
Don't Stop No Sleep (Nightmare mix) - (2:30) 128 BPM
Review: Originally issued on Boddika's label back in 2014, "Don't Stop..." has remained fresh despite the passage of five years. This is largely down to its straightforward but effective arrangement and Radio Slave's subtle, powerful production. Drawing on a looped, hypnotic vocal sample, ticking percussion and understated kicks, it's a timeless piece of stripped back techno. "War Dub (Version 2)" also taken from the Nonplus record, follows a similar path, embarking down a path paved with subtle bleeps, steely percussion and intricate drums, while the Nightmare Mix of "Sleep" sees Matt Edwards embark on an even more reduced approach, guided by eerie tones.
Review: This is not the first compilation to drop whose sole aim is to raise funds for NHS Chartities Together - R&S Records and Bass Agenda both delivered similarly epic sets - but "Care4Life" may well be the strongest and most diverse. As you'd expect, each one of the 45 tracks is previously unreleased, and the cast list reads like a who's who of dance music culture. Notable highlights include an ultra-deep, saucer-eyed number from Daniel Avery, an unheard rework of the Chemical Brothers' "Catch Me I'm Falling", a superb revision of Harvey's Locussolus project by Kiwi, Matthew Herbert in jazzy broken beat mode, a rare solo outing from Optimo's JD Twitch, a rip-roaring rave workout from Jas Shaw, and thumping peak-time bangers from Dusky, Eats Everything and Patrick Topping.
