Listen to Selected Ambient Works 85-92by Aphex Twin on Slacker Radio, where you can also create personalized internet radio stations based on your favorite albums. Buy Selected Ambient Works 85-92 by Aphex Twin on Bleep. Available on Vinyl LP. Download MP3, WAV, FLAC.
One of the indisputable classics of electronica, and a defining document for ambient music in particular, Selected Ambient Works 85-92 is Richard D. James' earliest and most fully realized achievement. Reputedly created on homemade equipment deconstructed from standard synthesizers, the music within takes its cue from club beats and the techno rhythms of rave and acid-house culture. Upon these foundations, however, Aphex Twin weaves melodic tapestries of great subtlety, beauty, and atmospheric texture. 'Tha,' for example, contains a muted bass-drum pulse that becomes the center for evolving patterns of sound - a kind of aural mandala.
The more driving rhythm of 'Heliosphan' also gives rise to the ethereal play of melody. Several tracks, such as 'Schottkey 7th Path' and 'Hedphelym,' have a tense, telescoping ambience that evokes paranoia and a sense of gravity-free floating at once. Other selections show Aphex Twin working more firmly in the techno-dance idiom, but even these display a complexity, elegance, and delicacy rarely heard in the genre.
This landmark recording is one of the essential building blocks of any electronica collection. Anthony Tognazzini.
Music does not have to be complex to be beautiful. 'Selected Ambient Works 85-92' is the perfect example. A turning point album during the golden age of electronic music back in the nineties. The tracks take you through many emotions such as happiness with 'Xtal', fear with 'Hedphelym' and daydream with 'We Are The Music Makers'. The most incredible is that some tracks seem to have been created when Richard was only 14 years old.
The ambient atmosphere associates with some acid sounds and minimalist beats. 25 years old now but no feel of dated music or obsolescence. An absolute must have for any decent person interested in electronic music. One of my most played and treasured albums.I bought this when it was first released and have been mesmerised with it ever since. The music is delicate, eerie, and extremely beautiful and absolutely ingrained witht the typical Aphex Twin sound. The haunting use of sampled vocals is utterly genius and partly why i absolutey adore this album.
This album will always hold special place in my heart and rightly has its place as one of the best electronic ambient albums ever produced!!!! A landmark album and way ahead of its time!! Utter genius and a flawless 10/10. Belgian release in November/December 1991?? My memory is not the best, but I swear I bought this as in import (into the UK) from Belgium a few months before the UK release in Feb '92, can anybody correlate this? My tip-off was of course the venerable John Peel.
Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Vol 2
My Vinyl version is definitely without barcodes so is definitely a 'first pressing' but not the white label as such. However, I'd be surprised that R&S would label a release as 85-92 and release in 91. Open to suggestions either way!