Works of a genius (Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Aphex Twin)

Member Name: yesac-kram

Product:	Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Aphex Twin
Date:	10/01/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning analogue electronics

Disadvantages: A tad dated

As an electronic music fan, I found myself embarrassed and slightly ashamed that it took me so long to get round to listening to this startlingly beautiful collection of early Richard D. James works.
The opener 'Xtal' is one of the most gorgeously uplifting tracks you are ever likely to hear, on this compilation or anywhere else for that matter. 'Tha' follows in much the same, spacey vein with James employing techniques that strike many blows in favour of arguments extolling the virtues of analogue as opposed to digital.
Some tracks are of their time, especially 'Green Calx', but it suffers not as a result (the title is a bit of a giveaway, I suppose). The most startling aspect of all is that James was just 14 years old when he first began to make some these tracks. That he made them on primitive, self-manufactured hardware is testament to his undeniable genius.
His later, much more challenging work may alienate and even confuse many, but if it's genre-spanning, pre-to-mid rave era, and very often, simply beautiful electronic music you're after, this is essential.

Summary: If you like electronic music at all, you need this in your life