Selected Ambient Works 85-92 [Import]

Aphex Twin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Msi
• ASIN: B000005RHR
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,039 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Xtal

2. Tha

3. PulseWidth

4. Ageispolis

5. i

6. Green Calx

7. Heliosphan

8. We Are The Music Makers

9. Schottkey 7th Path

10. Ptolemy

11. Hedphelym

12. Delphium

13. Actium

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

SAW 85-92 boasted the promise of an exceptional recording career for Richard D. James from the English county of Cornwall; a bedroom musician at age 12 in 1985 and an electronic music pioneer by 1998. From the adolescent sexual tension of the strings and basslines of "Ageispolis" and the militant rhythms and subterranean adventure effects of "Schottkey 7th Path," SAW veers to "Green Calx," a booty-shaking, soul-stirring techno song that has much in common with any single to emerge from Detroit in the early 1990s. The album hints clearly at influences from the prevailing dance music regiments of the era--new wave, house, techno, and industrial--but each track possesses a desire and an intention to break free of established formulas and enter a new realm. Subsequent works from James have been often more complex and almost always more menacing, but SAW 85-92 recalls the days of a kinder, gentler Aphex Twin, already on his game. --Tamara Palmer

Product Description

Re-released at a lower price for a limited time.1996 Belgian release on the R&S label featuring 13 tracks,including 'Xtal', 'Tha' and 'Actium'. Standard jewelcase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, June 5, 2000

By 

Mr. A. Pomeroy (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Audio CD)

*The* classic Aphex Twin album, 'SAW' is a collection of floaty, mostly ambient / unusual dance / chill-out tracks (except for one distorted hardcore tune), recorded on primitive four-track equipment from 1985 to 1992. Despite the great age, Richard James was so isolated from contemporary musical trends that it still sounds very modern, very alien and timeless. Shorter and easier to get into than 'Vol 2' (you can listen to this all the way through in one sitting comfortably), and more consistently good than any of his solo albums, this makes a great starting-point for your Aphex Twin collection.

It's worth looking for the similar, slightly more polished 'Polygon Window' album as well.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MMmmmmmbient works is more like it..., January 26, 2000

By 

DAC Crowell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Audio CD)

This collection of tracks from the early stages of Richard James's career and experiments fits not exactly into the sphere of 'ambient', as in Brian Eno, but 'ambient techno'. And in there, this release is one of the defining documents. Essential. Lush atmospherics + beats dominate here, and provide an experience that's as welcome in a chill-space as in one's own headphones. There are no duff tracks on this one, although those expecting the harder RDJ sound (see Caustic Window, or much of the recent Aphex material) probably will get thrown somewhat by the inviting feel of this album. But I doubt they'll be disappointed, honestly. My only regret here is that James doesn't pay much attention to this musical territory these days; his current work could benefit from revisiting these efforts, I think.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the finest moments of modern music history, July 28, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (philadelphia,pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Audio CD)

Since 30's electronic music production techniques has been a part of the industry but in the last three decades some frontiers like brian eno, has proved that a new way of producing music(not a new name in contlesss nad meaningless music genres pool) has been born.A way that dedicates itself to explore the physical possibilities of the sound, a way to question and change the fundamentals of the musical composition with the help of electronics. Similar to the unlimited freedom of expression and unlimited acccess to the information that internet brought into our lives; computers,synths and countless elecronic sound editors brought unlimited ways of expression and composition techiques to the musicians' hands. And in my opinion, Selected Ambient Works #1 has the most mature, most rewarding, most free musical pieces that electronic music has ever created yet. But yes, you are gonna be disappointed, if you are thinking that R.D.james is techno god that you remember from his raves cos' there is nothing to dance to over here. What you get is deep purification and meditation of mind thru his multi-layered and materfully composed music. I must say i do think the same way that Richard's fellow student Mu-zig think about this record,S.A.W #2 may have better sounding figures and it really is more easier to get into but without a question S.A.W # 1 is much more rewarding once you really get in to its countles layer's textures. Recomended to anyone who really "listens" to the music and a "necessity" to every eclectic soul out there.