320kbps
1. 0:00 Xtal
2. 4:53 Tha
3. 14:01 Pulsewidth
4. 17:49 Ageispolis
5. 23:13 I
6. 24:29 Green Calx
7. 30:35 Heliosphan
8. 35:29 We Are The Music Makers
9. 43:13 Schottkey 7th Path
10. 48:21 Ptolemy
11. 55:35 Hedphelym
12. 1:01:39 Delphium
13. 1:07:09 Actium
this music is great for eating bamboo
Years ago, back in 1989 in fact, a guy started work in the company I worked for in north london. I can't remember his name it being so long ago but I remember he came from Hinckley in Leicester. I remember he used to talk highly of Aphex twin, This Mortal Coil and 4AD records who I had never heard of before. he had a friend who had a sound system of very high quality back then and they used to listen to Aphex twin etc whilst getting stoned. I was more into Hip hop at the time and wasn't that clued up about ambient, that came a year or two later. I introduced him to NWA and he loved that, anyway I digress, He became a good friend over that summer and we partied at the town & country club in Kentish Town (Wendy May's locomotion) but i never listened to any of the music he spoke so highly of. Fast forward 26 years and I'm listening to this and it's blown me away. Wow i wish i got into Aphex Twin back in the late 80's/early 90's when he first spoke about them. Time flies fast and the years roll by so very quickly. I turned 50 two months ago. I have a happy marriage, I have a good career. What have i learnt over the years? It's important to unplug via what ever method is your choice/poison. Don't ever listen to negativity, keep pushing forward. Love your family and your friends, no one else is that important. I wish I could meet my old friend from hinckley back in 89.
+Alan Taylor Thanks for sharing a piece of your story Alan
The guy was 13 when he started producing the music for this album. Imagine that: a middle-schooler likely invented IDM.
Well, Boards Of Canada started to produce some IDM/Braindance at that time too.. also Mike Paradinas.
Obdyjteck and autechre maybe
WheresPoochie O.o
WheresPoochie i think IDM was inevitable...EDM....quantum physics....theory evolution.... these guys were the first to notice something that was already there so I would not use the word invent but I get u. Much respekt for Aphex Twin he's still relevant with this album 30+ yrs into the future.
dnbjedi edm is CRAP
Now I know where DIE ANTWOORD got their riff for the 'Ugly Boy'. 18:10
Riff? They Basically stole the whole fucking thing lol
Tyger Gill sampling is ok in hip hop
yeah makes me sort of upset that aphex got no credit at all, no mention for the basis of their hit song. It was the catchiest part of the whole song. Still love die antwoord tho
Tiffany Backe Chris Cunningham (the guy who made videos for Aphex Twin) was involved. There are some subtle hints. www.mtv.com/news/1993062/die-antwoord-ugly-boy-fashion-behind-the-scenes/
untrialser Die Antwoord has stated repeatedly that they are huge fans of Aphex Twin and he is their number 1 fav artist, they even said it was an honour for them when Aphex helped them out with their latest album.
I'd be interested to know which of these tracks was actually from 1985
The first time I listened to Xtal was yesterday and I liked it but I didn't know why everyone thought it was so good. Today I told my history teacher that my classmate was being bullied, I asked him to speak in private at break and we went into to another room and I told him what was going on and I broke down because I was bullied for a long time time before and it really resonated with me because I thought in my head that I was being the hero that I wished was there for me. I hope you never feel the helplessness of crying in front of your history teacher, but my tears then could have prevented thousands more tears for my classmate. It was only then as i was writing in my diary 5 minutes ago about this, (I want to record all my experiences for when I'm older, I'm 15) when I noticed myself humming Xtal in my head. Now I cherish this song
+David Reynolds Hey, it's good to see another one like myself. (your realization collides with mine) Keep it simple and never truly stress.
+David Reynolds a beautiful thing you did brother
Valterain xD I try not to judge myself but sometimes I think that too, then I realise I could have saved that kid from a lot of crying, so I did so he didn't have to. It's called humanity.
+David Reynolds Just wait till you're older and discover MDMA for the first time, then listen to Xtal again.
+David Reynolds That was beautiful to read. Thank you for sharing your experience... I know that feeling very well, just having to cry because you feel so much love for the world. I hope it brings you great things. Actually I feel kind of sad since I've been depressed for so long that I sometimes crave that feeling so much, yet I can't seem to reach it... and then sometimes, suddenly it is there, like an unexpected ray of sunshine... and I know I just have to let go and be open and love myself, yet I'm so scared to do so, to feel like I am really living again... I'm so afraid to even write my thoughts down but when I saw your message, David, I just had one of those moments and so I am writing this right now, I don't even care that it is publicly on KZhead, at least I am suddenly writing about my feelings again. I got new medication that's supposed to help me against anxiety but something tells me I shouldn't put even more mind-altering shit in my brain, just meditate more, dare to go to the park more, hug a tree, love myself... but it's so hard. I want only good things for the world, I want the world to be a perfect place of love, but I always shape myself to the needs and desires of others until I have nothing of myself left... and even telling someone that I would like a little more room to exist feels like a sin. I wish I would write more often. It feels so good. Thank you so much for sharing your story David
Xtal is the sound the Sun makes when it rises above the Horizon..
Xtal might be the most perfect piece of electronic music ever produced.
Let me fix that for you----SAW might be the most perfect ALBUM of electronic music ever produced.
Fix#2: ...amongst the other 10000 most perfect albums...
+Lemonade Warrior don't forget Björk's Homogenic
perfect for a hungover rainy sunday
+Zach Brown Coming down off a wave of emotion
+Zach Brown amen
+Damien Mayne Not everyone has substance abuse issues like you buddy
oi chill out lads, i'm sure Richard would not appreciate this kind of arguing
just listen to the ambience and chill out
The fact that these tunes were produced while Thatcher was still prime minister blows my fucking mind.
Wow shit man. Never thought of that
I first came across Selected Ambient Works when rooting through a box of random tapes I found under the bed in my first student houseshare. It was a grim October and I was living in a house on the cliffs of Rottingdean near Brighton, miles from campus and my friends, and I was feeling rather lonely. When I played this album, it was like my mind was being hugged and bought a pint. From the opening synths and gentle boom of Xtal, Ambient Works is a cosy duvet on a bleak February morning, a Mars Bar after swimming, a snow-covered hill on a sunny day - full of soothing melodies and quiet spaces. Now, 13 years later, I still put it on when I can't sleep, or when I feel cold or sad, and it greets me like an old friend. I played the tape til it broke and had to buy the CD. I was very much a rock fan when I came across this album, but it introduced me to a side of electronica I hadn't previously been aware of - the after-party, the come down, the morning after, the walk in the park with your headphones on. Apparently it was massively influential and I suppose that is one reason for picking up this piece of history. But a far greater reason is the timeless beauty of the music. Buy it, love it forever.
Great share! Love it how memories stick with the music that we've listened to at the time. Listening to this right now while I'm reading stuff about space. Sets the mood just right. Just pure brilliance. And one more thing,you're deffinitely spot on about the 'post party,park stroll' electronica description. And there's so much more to be had in the genre.
Man you now how to play with words, it gives me cheels...!
That was a beautiful description
Cool Jamie. Spot on.
That's what all of this should be about. Sharing experiences and stories, not cold and sterile 3minutes-long jingles.
3 Million views. He's officially completely mainstream.
SimplyHaffar "Yeah, that's right"
Sasha Xpander "Orange"
*kid laugh "Hehe he"
Sasha Xpander I love this side of KZhead.
SimplyHaffar aphex was always mainstream
You know an album is good when you're listening to it and you forget that you're sober.
Friday nights in 92/92, getting the 18.36 Thameslink from Farringdon to Leatherhead with this on my Walkman. Beautiful.
first two tracks are among the best things made on this planet
Hi Ben! I'm Beatrice. Nice to meet you.
Remedios Lynch How do you do.
***** And I am Dorothy, Dorothy Zbornak, former Petrillo. Thanks for the upload!
N Bauer I'm just a me
Bonjour à tous je suis yasmine
Remedios Lynch My name is Colt, Colt Bond.
time is an illusion.
+Paul Ferrell Time as a dimension isn't an illusion, but the apparent passage of it is. ;^)
+Hi, I'm Ben. Well put friend, well put. I must say tho: +paul Time is but an illusion - Lunch time, doubly so!
+Paul Ferrell You're an illusion.
+Hi, I'm Ben. As a 'dimension', it is an illusion. Human beings create the concept of 'time' and 'dimensions'; reality is ineffable and can't be conceived at all by any limited mind existing as a small part or facet of that same reality. Our mental constructs are only tools and not representative. The sense of time's apparent passage is part of the same network of illusion.
+FrogmortonHotchkiss You're essentially saying everything is an illusion, which from a human standpoint I'd of course agree with. I was speaking from our most refined view of reality offered by physicists today. kzhead.info/sun/YMqThrWymqOvfo0/bejne.html
i keep coming back to AFX when winter falls
Kangaroos are the T-Rex version of deer
xtal has more bass than most r/b bangers. My sub eats this song
I'm just discovering Aphex Twin. Really rather splendid
AnAmbientGrey haven't you heard about The Tuss? You've been missing out
***** The Tuss really isn't beginner Richard IMO, but I suppose everyone can take their own path.
Some other artists you might like: Squarepusher, Ceephax, Luke Vibert, μ-Ziq. These are all WONDERFUL music, it's a universe I'm sooo glad to have found, and not much people are really aware of it, which it only makes it more interesting and magical. Have a good journey!
Good on you! :)
***** Play both the Drukqs cd's at the same time (I used software to burn both cds onto one disk meshed together) - it's how the album is meant to be listened to - at times it syncs together perfectly.
Oh my god the tune of Xtal had been the aural screensaver in my brain for about 6 months and I just couldn't remember which artist, which album, which tune. I put a BoC playlist on as I was working and it must've run out and just continued to this. The joy and relief I'm experiencing right now is immense.
cx1735 Dude this just happend to me. Nice :)
cx1735 It's funny... To think of a time when discovering this for the first time or in your case not recalling where it was from... I've long since been subject to such surprise. Started litening at 16... 30 now.
Yeah last time I heard it was when I was about 16!
cx1735 last week or 16 yrs ago?
Xtal is still one of my favourite tracks - a masterpiece of beauty, an amazing melody mixed with bliss sonorities, god
Walt Kovacs Your Avatar is the pic that popped up when I googled my name. apparently I have the same first middle and last name as this guy and I was born in the same year.
David James ? Congrats man you've got a legendary name, go kiss your parents
+Chip Douglas Congrats, you have the same name and birth year as the person who created this.
Selected Ambient Works 2085-2092
NO ADS!? Amazing.
Sounds like Brian Eno broke into Krafwerk's laboratory, stole some old rusty tubes and circuits, flew behind the moon for 3 months, compressed the years of 1978-1989 into fuzzy purple and silver acid & DMT capsules, fused it with his own DNA and came back to earth with a half-frozen 2" tape reel. cool stuff man
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."
This album helped me calm down for tests all the time, passed my finals thanks to this one.
+lunchbox997 lol
+lunchbox997 I always use this album to study, I get you brotha
cuz its power of idm
100% I've used this album to study and read to for over 10years and I never get tired of it. And I know I never will, till the day I die. I would go as far as to say that this music is eternal
useful for way more than pre-test jitters, this is my anxiety medication.
absolutely mental considering when they were made, way way ahead of its time!
I cannot begin to tell how much this album means to me. I don't care what Mr James has done since, this is as important as anything by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk or Joy Division when it comes to innovation and creativity. This album kept me warm when the world was dark and cold.
That last track's glitches only confirm that AFX was ahead of his time.
Ptolemy has to be his catchiest tune. That bassline.
Oh yes, yes! And Ageispolis! But Ptolemy is the best!
PYRO!
You're burning out your viewers, man
Imagine Heavy and Medic dancing to "Ptolemy". XD The bassline is Heavy and the organ Medic. Scout is lively Heliospan, Pyro the mysterious/crazy Hedphelym, Engie the calm Actium...
Do you even AFX,GAK,Caustic Window,Bradley Strider,user48736353001?
I read somewhere that the fourth track was actually co-composed with Bach when they studied supermassive cluster formations together with Jimi Hendrix in the Brookins Institute in the early '50s for CIA.
You inhaled too much chemtrails bro
The most important thing to remember is all of this album is a heartfelt emotional expression through music. It is not a way to make money. It is not an attempt to have a 'Hit' record. It is not an attempt at becoming famous. It is simply someone making music because that is what they are driven to do. I had a copy which I made on tape and took it with me on a solo adventure and it was always a comfort to listen to, as well as a novelty for others I met.
Listening to this while studying for a macroeconomics exam.
+Tyrell Wellick Good luck with the Economics. PS: JMK or Milton Fried-Egg?
MatthewPJ Lewis Keynes
+Tyrell Wellick Top man!
+MatthewPJ Lewis They are both delusional neo-classicalists.
+dropmarkcult i read some jerk wrote that music without vocals will never make it,,,but this records are good...and bujidisike neither have notes
I´ve been listening to this album more than 20 years!!!!! and still so fresh!!!! I never get tired of hearing it....
i come back to this album periodically whenever i need "spiritual support"
I usually suffer anxiety attacks on the train home, social situations Rev. Thought I'd try listening to something 'ambient' and came across this. Didn't realise how much I like aphex twin. Proper chilled out all the home. Thanks for putting this on KZhead. You helped someone today. 😋
+ Adam Godfrey Take a high level EPA Omega Oil, also take ZMA before bed for Magnesium. Plus a multi vitamin i the morning. Make sure your body get's what it needs brother. A lot of panic attacks can be reaction to EPA deficiency or Magnesium deficiency due to the body not being able to work properly. www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/super-omega-3/10615610.html?affil=thggps&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gclid=CNiPvJXf4MgCFecKcgod1_IIEA&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CP-vw5Xf4MgCFWxX2wodOooOdA&variation=10615611 www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/zma/10529452.html?affil=awin&awc=3196_1445883373_e5d4067bf00a33d33f3de3eacd9cbc6a&AWin-85386&AffiliateWin
+Adam Godfrey this comment made me smile :)
+Adam Godfrey hope your anxiety gets better, you're not alone..
I listened to this genre of music from when I was very young. There is something otherworldly about this genre that cannot be found in today's electronic music. This is one of Aphex Twin's best albums. It is something Yuri Alekseyevich should have listened to when he was in the cosmos)
From the day i was born i use to listen music like this. With Kismet all began
2010, Barcelona Razzmatazz club is packed - crowd including myself literally started chanting the melody of heliosphan when Richard started playing it.. The chills man. Best gig I ever been at. May the cosmos bless that man
Like a Pink Floyd fan decided he was going to make electronic music. I can dig this.
Not really anything like pink Floyd aside from being psychedelic friendly
Suttree Lowery very atmospheric. Lots of gradual build ups into more complex music towards the end. Reminds me of Floyd a lot.
LISTENING TO THIS WHILE LOOKING FOR JOBS FOR JSA AT 5AM
peanus weanus gl
+peanus weanus Hope you found some work dude
+Nefarious Nilbog im hoping you dont
+Nefarious Nilbog bless the lord i found one a month ago. i wish you all similar fortune...godspeed
+ᅚ Great to hear, all the best with your life :)
Xtal, Pulsewidth, Heliosphan, Ptolemy, Actium; the best!
Beginning of Xtal makes me cry. Simple as that.
JOSEPPPPHHHH and I have no fucking clue why. Just beautiful.
JOSEPPPPHHHH I'm crying right now listening to Xtal. It just brings back a lot of mdma comedown memories
diogenesious Well..there is a disturbing video clip to this track...
VakiPitsi Yup. Come back from a club and stick this album on and begin the comedown process. Sublime
VakiPitsi haha i always listen to it on dxm & get flashbacks of when i was on dxm when i listen to this.
Richard D. James is an innovator of electronic music. He's already a legend I say.
He was a legend when this came out... if 85' is a real date. He was like 8 years old when he made some of these tracks.
Joey Fish he was born in '71. do the math
xylic on my birthday :D
Been a legend. "Richard D. James is Techno"
He doesn't make techno
17:49 Die Antwoord stole it lol
14:01 is neat
If this was released this week nobody would ever realise as it's still very much current and fresh sounding till this day....Timeless!
This is a timeless masterpiece of musical innovation
this reminds me of sitting on the bus playin this in my walkman back in 93... long bus ride home coming back from raves... part of me forever... makes me wanna cry then takes me to xstacy
Awesome memories
Best Ambient Album ever created IMO. Its not IDM but Ambient Techno.
+Richard “Abraham” Brice Listen to SAW II if you think this is the best ambient album.
+Richard “Abraham” Brice Groundbreaking, genre defining and trailblazing album... humanity got a little brighter when this album dropped.
+Richard “Abraham” Brice Who said? and stop making stuff up, its music x
+Richard “Abraham” Brice lol, the ambient oracle has spoken x
+Richard “Abraham” Brice who the fK cares techno it is or alternative 8-bit brutal death anything. it is ART.
Clicking through random albums in the recommended section, this comes up an you're like WHOAA
Heliosphan activates the creative mode of my brain on ultra settings
Doing a relisten of all his albums to get hyped to see Aphex in Houston this december. Can't wait!
Masterpiece
Selected Ambient Works 85-92 Selected Ambient Works 85-forever
+Brayan Argandona Florentino :-)
This is so innovative. Surely Aphex Twin is one of the greatest electronica producers to have walked this earth
Surely Aphex twin is THE BEST Electronica/(add100-150GenresHere) Producer to ever walk this earth, prankster, DJ, God, Secretive, Amazing, Enchanting, The only man that gets me on my knees. He has SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much out there. Check it out.
This is really good, I can see why this album got so much praise. Listening to this, I bet how much it influenced electronic music in videogames.
I added this album to "watch later" some few months ago and didn't listen to it, waiting for the right time. I dare say, this album is well worth the wait.
listen on the bus....... best experience imo
Phonatacid is for sure my favourite night bus travelling music.
omg i don't think i've ever heard this so clearly and just perfect. thanks!
I love this type of music. Makes me wanna sleep and have a lucid dream. Thank you Aphex Twin.
I'm convinced that Xtal is what you hear when you're in your last death throws -- the recap of your life flashing back through your eyes syncing beautifully to this emotionally crafted work.
feel like calling my drug dealer whenever Ageispolis get's on
This album is definitely exceptional. Very ambient and minimalistic but at the same time full of warmth and energy .How can it be so beautiful, melancholic, positive and electric at the same time? I love it, specially Heliosphan
It's plausible sound's warmth gives these tunes a very delightful, envigorating even (if I can say as much about ambient!) taste. Meesa like it.
peaking on lsd, taking two hours to roll one spliff, smoking it to bring you back up. circa '94.
The one that goes beep beep boop boop?
+NoBeatsNoProblem Nice Pete Rock picture.
I'd like you to play that song that goes beep boop boop beep No man it goes beep boop boop bop Beep boop boop beep bop? Fucking mr krabs
Bee boo boo bop, boo boo beep?
ageispolis?
heliosphan
I'm listening to Ageispolis and looking at the utterly chilled expression on my cat's face while she hears this, and I get a glimpse of the meaning of life. AFX is a genius!
Best selection that i've heard so far I think, absolutely sublime! Thanks ben!
Hey ben. Not sure if you still read theese comments anymore but. If you do. I'd just like to thank you for posting this on youtube. It is currently the single thing I have listened to the most on this planet. And will continue listening to. It's what makes my inspiration in pursuing the long journey of learning to make this kind of music. And i'd just like to say thanks, man. To you, aphex twin. And everyone listening. I hope you all got a lovely day, and will continue having good days.
KZhead loading circle fits perfectly with the vinyl holes '-'
k
Nycon Nascimento www.ufotube.org
Nycon Nascimento you need a hobby
Nycon Nascimento It's been very long since I've seen a loading circle...
Well how about that.
wow, was obsessed with this album in school, haven't heard it in a long time, thanks uploader!
I loved this record 20 years ago - and hearing it now it's still as good as when I heard it all those years ago - this is rare. I have never listened to this and found it boring... Some of the best electronic music I know of this is...The bass line at 22.43 is amazing...
I knew which bass line you meant before I heard it, its bliss
This is a masterpiece its no wonder why aphex twin is respected.
I love this album so much. It acts like a safe, beautiful place for me to hide inside whenever I play it.
I had admittedly never heard this album before and I'm really liking it. A few days ago I heard for the first time the song "Ugly Boy" by Die Antwoord, and I loved it. Then I'm listening to this album for the first time on the same day, and suddenly at 18:16 it's like, "What!!? Why is Ugly Boy playing?" Die Antwoord sampled from Aphex Twin, but I had no idea of this. It was a strange coincidence to hear them both (original tune and re-dux track) on the same day for the first time.
In the video "Ugly Boy" a guy looks like Aphex Twin (God). They did a little tribute to him in that video.
LOL, its like i wrote this comment :)
highquality1979 Actually it's not a guy that looks like him, it ís him. Thought you'd like to know!
Keith Dick RIchard was wearing the mask? X ^^
***** No, in the "Ugly Boy" video he has dark skin, a fro, make-up and that everlasting grin as you have of him in your avatar! :)
best ambient album ever made. Simple as that! massive thanks to hi I'm ben for putting this out there!!
Thanks for the upload Ben mate!
Literally the best album ever.
It can't get any better than Ageispolis, it has it all. Bass, Ambient, and Up-Tempo all at the same time because Aphex is a freaking genius.
Unbelievable. My own fault I haven't discovered them for myself for so many years, being enchanted by Vangelis, Jarre and later BT, Fluke and others for two decades or so
Just one guy. Amazing huh.
Better late than never :-)
I thought I was late to the party finding AT 18 years ago XD
better late than never mate, This album started it all for me in the mid 80s :) Also try his alter moniker Quoth, Surfing on Sine Waves album surpasses this imo.
You should try boards of Canada probably too
Thank you Benjamin!
Studying fungi for Biology right now. It's strangely fitting...
#1 sound,brings me to late 80s early 90s where i was starting to listen electronic music,i was fascinated!so do i now after 30 years!oooww thanx aphex...
Aphex Twin is the only artist who can make aggressive ambient music if that makes any sense. You HAD to be very talented or whatever to make this kind of music in "85 being only 13 or so. Kudos to Richard.
+verapamil07 no he's not x
+moreteamrshifter yes he is :)
I don't really listen to techno, and I don't like any of Aphex Twin's other stuff, but this album is just beautiful. It feels like being alone at 2:00 am in the morning in the heart of a cold winter. I bet this goes great with ketamine.
give a listen to Selected Ambient Works II
listen to squarepusher's tundra
bread_n_butter nah, I did not care for it.
Atli Mar Sigurdsson You don't find Cliffs or Rhubarb beautiful?
bread_n_butter if I listen to the whole album I'd get impatient and frustraited. has got a few good tracks though :)
Listening to this while modelling an architectural project, it's all very artsy now, thank you Aphex Twin.
To think that most of this would have been in the 80s is a little creepy. so ahead of its time....
Ben, you're awesome.
an awesome album, I love listening to this- thankyou for posting.
Hey ben, thanks for posting this fantastic album.
A masterpiece in tone, texture and transcendence.
Music creates mind spheres unknown to reality which connect with all possibilities
ty for your awesome uploads Ben !
I can never tire of this record - been on rotation since uni days in the 90s. A masterpiece!!
I could listen to that 1st song on repeat for hours flying my UFO
Usually when I listen to music while i'm doing something that requires focusing, i lose focus. But for some reason I can focus just fine listening to AFX. Thank you Richard, your music is medicine for procastination and it's also super awesome
disc 2 #3..what a beautiful song. love aphex twin thanks for this upload! his ambient works are great!
creepy forbidden archives unexplained mystery shocking documentary
oh no D:
Whoa! the shocking truth has been revealed!
My favorite electronic album of all time. Nothing touches this. Pure sonic brilliance. God bless the day I randomly picked this out of the electronic music aisle based on a hunch in 1994. This album blows me away to this day.