In my opinion, Ministry releases have always been a hit-and-miss affair. Their "Annual" series are stylistically inconsistent to say the least, and the less said about their so-called "Chill Out" series, the better. However, there have been times when their offerings have certainly hit the spot. Such is the case with ELECTRO TECH. If you're like me and need to get a life because you're you're still addicted to the big snares and glossy synths of the 1980s, this compilation is a God-send.

Released in 2003 and with a title containing the words "electro" and "tech", one can easily assume exactly what is on the two discs contained within. Two-and-half hours of electronic, push-button, sci-fi-movie-soundtrack-sounding experiements from virtually every established producer who's aspired to be Kraftwerk's successor. Yep, they're all here, from Benny Benassi, Timo Maas, Moguai, Tomcraft, Moonbootica, Azzido Da Bass and even Felix himself (shock). Some personal highlights of mind include Moguai's fantastic "Get:On" and Tomcraft's trend-setting "Loneliness". Despite some of the tracks being a few years old, it's nice to have all the biggies on one compilation. To further enhance the underground tone, Ministry have wisely opted to go for some alternative remixes, including lesser-known versions of "Zombie Nation", "Planet Rock" and "Funk-a-Tron".

For the most part, the 42 tracks here find their roots in the New York Electro movement of the early 1980s. Furthermore, if you want to sink even deeper in time, you can detect some obvious pokes at Kraftwerk's material from the decade before. Overall, there is something bizarrely erotic about hearing old concepts being belted out on new technology (listen to "Do It Like A Robot" and you'll know where I'm coming from"). I found myself thinking of those once fashionable Casio wrist-watches with 37 buttons and Dr. Who episodes. Don't feel guilty if you find yourself dusting off those pre-1983 New Order 45s in the archives.

Like all Ministry releases, the mixing is spot-on and despite each of the 21 tracks on each disc being clearly edited down, they all retain their core appeal.

The artwork is suitably "dark" with a pair of illustrated femme fatales clearly enjoying the music (and each other for that matter).

Overall, this is an extremely entertaining collection of sounds. If you don't mind the Biggles flashbacks and need an appropriate CD to crank in your car whilst your breaking the speed limit on a Thursday night in winter, you could do a lot worse than grab a copy of ELECTRO TECH.