R&S “In Order To Dance 5” compilation tells a story of a formidable-eclectic tracklist, amazing tunes and exceedingly talented artists. First of all, it was the first time when Carl Craig’s “At Les” classic was released, three years before “More Songs About Food & Revolutionary Art” LP (that came out in 1997) - this brilliant Carl Craig also appeared as Sixty Nine with “Rushed”. The avant-garde principle that guided R&S label since the end of the eighties could be defined not only through the times ‘when the tunes were released’, but also because of ‘how they were conceived’. The box had a so cutting-edge selection that it changed the perspectives of a whole generation in terms of electronic music – including the fact that it had brilliant classics of several respected artists, such as CJ Bolland (living the highest point of his artistic career these last two years), Kenny Larkin (owner of the full-dancing classic “Soul Man”, of fine synths and complex percussion), Aphex Twin and Dave Angel (also in his golden era as producer – “Abyss” would be released later in his “Classics” compilation). It is amazing how this magic box could represent so many kinds of sonorities, from the minimalism of “Spastik” to the deep atmospheric remix of Dave Angel to Sun Electric’s “Entrance”, present in the fifth vinyl (this one, considered a true ‘object of desire’, resulted on several disappearances during that period – not only from the DJ’s cases but mainly the ones on the used copies sold later – despite the regrets, only sometime after the customers realized their fifth vinyl was missing). In Order To Dance 5 represented a very special moment on R&S journey as well as on electronic music history during the nineties. A Box of treasures for a whole generation.

The album that woke me up to electronic music... at least that's how I remember it, back in 1996 I guess, still at school and Pink Floyd was as adventurous as I got. And then the local library got a copy of In Order To Dance 5 - how or why, I do not know :) But what a way to begin - Aphex Twin, Biosphere, µ-Ziq... I count myself lucky.

The only other INTD I've heard is No. 3, and this is very definitely very different. Some of it does sound a little dated (a little rave-y), but most of it's stood the test of time well. The opening track, Mike Dredd - Macrocosm, is a good enough reason to own this alone, but many of the tracks are still real stand outs - the Sonic Solution, Aphex Twin, Biosphere and Future/Past all warrant a special mention.

This is a great compilation (you can't go far wrong with this many respected artists on board!) with a good range of techno tracks and particularly impressive contributions from Outlander, Mike Dred, Teste (remixed by Richie Hawtin?) and the Aphex Twin. This limited edition benefits from a further six tracks, equally good (my favourites are the even-numbered ones :) by Carl Craig, Sun Electric and Mark Pritchard). An even more limited edition (RS94036CDXX) was also available, this came in a specially made "light box" - a case made of pale green translucent plastic containing batteries and green LEDs! This release was depicted on the artwork of the other issues.

This was also available as a limited edition with a bonus CD in a cardboard sleeve, cat number RS94036CDX.

It was also released as a very limited edition "light box" - the case was made of pale green translucent plastic and contained batteries and green LEDs! This was depicted on the artwork of the conventional issues. Cat number for this one was RS94036CDXX.

Great Boxed set package containing storming tracks...amazing value considering the quality of artists on show