St. Etienne* ‎– Casino Classics

I have (perhaps wisely) avoided this reissue out of all of the recent set of deluxe editions. It's nice to have the additional remixes collected, but the numerous mastering errors, vinyl rips and lack of actual remastering for me made this not worth the high price the super deluxe box commands (and really, with a set like this, there's not much point to getting the trimmed version when you'll just be compiling your favorites anyway). I went with a download instead to fill in the gaps in my collection and construct my own set using proper versions from the 1996 issue on the tracks with errors - supplemented with a few mixes that could/should have found their way on. Quality control errors have popped up elsewhere in the series, but here it was too glaring to justify the purchase.

They used the shorter edit of How We Used To Live (Paul van Dyk Remix).

The full version is almost 10 minutes long. Very disappointing.

I suspect the remastering is a hoax on the 2012 set. For example, why would the Lionrock Mix of "Nothing Can Stop Us" end with the wind-like sounds from the intro of the Psychonauts mix of "Sometimes In Winter", unless the tracks were taken directly from the 1996 version, where the tracks are segued (2-4 & 2-5)?
Another point is that there is no audible difference between the 1996 and 2012 versions. 2012 is very slightly louder, that's all.

The Sea (PFM Mix) was cut from the original lenght 9.36 to 4:50. Can't believe it. The original release from 1996 includes full version. How could they do it? They are butchers!

The Sea (PFM Mix) was cut from the original lenght 9.36 to 4:50. Can't believe it. The original release from 1996 includes full version. How could they do it? They are butchers!

Saint Etienne has always been receptive to electronic music, and their openness has served them quite well. CASINO CLASSICS, a collection of remixes, shows how forward-thinking they’ve been since the beginning of their career. While several mixes (Secret Knowledge, David Holmes, Underworld) are aimed squarely for the progressive house dancefloor —- an indication more of when this album came out than of individual taste —- there are plenty of surprises. Though the first disc features mostly previously released mixes, there are still plenty of treasures. Dub fans can go to the Aloof’s mix of “Speedwell” or Andrew Weatherall’s epic mix of “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” The Aphex Twin is also represented in all his clanging abstract glory with his landmark remix of “Who Do You Think You Are.” The second disc features mostly new mixes, and there are some doozies. The dancefloor breaks of Way Out West’s take on “Angel” shows them at their peak, while dirty funk erupts from Monkey Mafia’s “Filthy” and Death in Vegas’ “People Get Real.” But the real gems are PFM’s gorgeous and atmospheric drum ‘n’ bass on “The Sea” and Broadcast’s angular version of “Angel”--classics that hit the jackpot every time.