Following a couple of excellent Underground Resistance mix CDs comprised exclusively of tracks culled from the Detroit label's deep catalog, DJ Rolando recorded a relatively mainstream effort for the British Nite:Life series that once again showcases his deft mixing skills and unique track selection. It's somewhat refreshing to hear Rolando expand his horizons here. His UR mixes (The Aztec Mystic Mix [1999], Vibrations [2003]) were fantastic and showcased the merits of Detroit techno exceptionally well, but it was somewhat frustrating to hear such an obviously gifted DJ confined, even if the confines were relatively vast as in the case of the UR catalog. Rolando culls his selections on Nite:Life 016 from a variety of sources. There are of course a few Detroit tracks, most notably "Quetzal," a beautiful collaboration between the DJ and Gerald Mitchell as Los Hermanos; "No UFO's," Juan Atkins' 1985 classic (as Model 500) that sounds absolutely standout here alongside its fellow inclusions; and "Love Got Me High," another Motor City classic, this one an uplifting house anthem produced by Terrence Parker (as Seven Grand Housing Authority). And there are also a number of big-name selections (produced by Nick Holder, Gene Farris, Aril Brikha [remixing Adam Beyer], Joey Beltram, Technasia, DJ Hell, Steve Bug, and Jeff Mills), as well as some relatively obscure productions that are nonetheless impressive. What's most astounding, however, given the breadth here, is how trademark this mix sounds -- this 21-track set plays very much as a whole, morphing easily from track to track and climaxing often, as if it were totally comprised of tailor-made productions. Without a doubt, here on Nite:Life 016 Rolando certainly lives up to his lofty billing, turning in a mix that is very much his own and wonderful at that. Hands down one of the most trademark entries in the long-running series. ~ Jason Birchmeier|

Rovi

Following a couple of excellent Underground Resistance mix CDs comprised exclusively of tracks culled from the Detroit label's deep catalog, DJ Rolando recorded a relatively mainstream effort for the British Nite:Life series that once again showcases his deft mixing skills and unique track selection. It's somewhat refreshing to hear Rolando expand his horizons here. His UR mixes (The Aztec Mystic Mix [1999], Vibrations [2003]) were fantastic and showcased the merits of Detroit techno exceptionally well, but it was somewhat frustrating to hear such an obviously gifted DJ confined, even if the confines were relatively vast as in the case of the UR catalog. Rolando culls his selections on Nite:Life 016 from a variety of sources. There are of course a few Detroit tracks, most notably "Quetzal," a beautiful collaboration between the DJ and Gerald Mitchell as Los Hermanos; "No UFO's," Juan Atkins' 1985 classic (as Model 500) that sounds absolutely standout here alongside its fellow inclusions; and "Love Got Me High," another Motor City classic, this one an uplifting house anthem produced by Terrence Parker (as Seven Grand Housing Authority). And there are also a number of big-name selections (produced by Nick Holder, Gene Farris, Aril Brikha [remixing Adam Beyer], Joey Beltram, Technasia, DJ Hell, Steve Bug, and Jeff Mills), as well as some relatively obscure productions that are nonetheless impressive. What's most astounding, however, given the breadth here, is how trademark this mix sounds -- this 21-track set plays very much as a whole, morphing easily from track to track and climaxing often, as if it were totally comprised of tailor-made productions. Without a doubt, here on Nite:Life 016 Rolando certainly lives up to his lofty billing, turning in a mix that is very much his own and wonderful at that. Hands down one of the most trademark entries in the long-running series. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Rovi