Customer Reviews

Selected Ambient Works 85-92

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
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*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.

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.

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.

What more can I say, except that XTAL is probably one of the most incredible journeys you will ever experience... I recommend this CD to everyone, it's changed my life and the way I see everything.. Richard D james is a genius... A cd that compiles work between 85-92, noting that Richard was only 14 when he did his first tracks of the album. Will say no more!

My only experience with Richard James had only been through Windowlicker and Come to Daddy, music that is ANYthing but ambient or relaxing. When I found this I thought it was maybe some kind of ironic title. No. This is simply the best ambient album I have ever heard, even though it's not all that ambient. Whenever guys try to make music that lets your mind wander, they seem to think that it has to be tepid and boring and very very cheesy. That is not the case with this compilation. If I close my eyes and chill to this music, I have a very intense experience and don't really think about going to sleep. ... One last thing, I have a hard time believing this is really from 1985...it sounds as contemporary as anything done today...clearly ahead of its time.

I just want to tell you that there's also a cheaper import version of this album available at amazon.com. It's mistitled "Select Ambient Works". You can find my public review there. Best regards...

Mind-numbingly gorgeous. That is the only way to describe this album. Spanning the years 1985-92 in Richard D. James' (Aphex Twin, AFX, Caustic Window, Polygon Window, Powerpill, Bluecalx, half of Mike & Rich, countless others...) music career, this is some of his most beautiful work ever. Culled from his back catalogue of 1,000+ songs, this collection represents the best of his early works. This is the Richard that critics hailed, before he grew jaded by pop culture and decided to release intentionally difficult music (e.g. SAW2). The songs are instantly accessable, with synths that seem to come from heaven above. The music is full of boyish glee, and with good reason: James was only 15 when he made the earliest songs on this cd... using only synths that he personally built or reconfigured.

If you are not familiar with Aphex Twin, this album is the most gentle intro to the alien world inside his head. If you are already an ardent fan, it will provide a break from his harsher and weirder, though none-the-less spectacular, material. There is no reason for anyone with even a passing Aphex interest to not own this album.

I've owned this Aphex Twin album for many years and find it a great way to overview Richard D. James and his early development. He would go on to much more experimental stuff in the years after the early 1990s but this album is a great jumping on place for people who need an easier place to start before getting into his later electronic/ambient experimentalism.

First thing you'll notice is that this album is not as ambient as advertised. You're not getting the kind of background sonic wallpaper that you find with Brian Eno. The tracks here are much more involved and up tempo with a mostly firm beat. It's an honest electronic score with even more techno parallels than usual. That's not a bad thing of course. There is much gorgeous melodic content to be found here and can be used as an outstanding album for relaxation and contemplation. Seriously, this is no masterpiece but it should not be out of print and hopefully finds it's way back onto the market soon.

This album is very typical of Richard D. James' ealier works. Catchy melodies are coupled with distorted drums. This isn't one of James' best works, but it is quite good when compared to other dance albums. Although, if you are expecting true ambience, this album doesn't quite hold true to the title. This album does however live up to the term "ambient techno" which James is credited with either inventing or pushing to the mainstream. If you take out the drums, you have a very beautiful album. If you leave the drums in, you have a very beautiful album that you can dance to. Also, you cannot be expected to believe the dates on the front of the album either. In '85 James would have been in his early to mid-teens. Although, when listening to this album when compared to his other albums, it might be true that he made some of these songs at an ealier age because, although they are very good, they do not compare to many of his other works. Even with that being said, this album does hold its own against almost every other dance album out there today. If you are looking at this review, you probably already know about Richard D. James' other albums and how they sound (hopefully), so I do not feel the need to go into detail and explain how the album sounds. This album sounds much like the albums I Care Because You Do, Classics, and the albums under James' other aliases. So if you like James' other albums, then buy this one and enjoy.

I'll try not to cover what's been said before in so many rewviews. What moves me in this cd is the deph of emotions and musical craftsmenship. An exelent cd to work, think, sleep, dance, or most of all make love to. As the music moves, so in the state of consciousness will you too progress. Movement, so jentle yet so compelling.