Electronic > UK Techno Electronic > Techno > German / Euro Techno > Detroit Techno > Warp > A > 1990 to 1999

Advantages: Ground breaking endlessly fascinating music for gazing out of windows to
Disadvantages: Not one for fans of heavy metal or people who only like songs with words etc.

...his best ever. Unlike Selected Ambient Works one, there are hardly any beats on this - and instead most of the tracks are a series of interesting trips through the echo chamber with some beautiful drones and tones to accompany you. Yet despite the minimalist nature of the sounds here, the production means that you rarely get bored of these sounds. Also because they are so distinctive, they haven't dated at all really. Evocative of Brian Eno's work ...
...progressions build a series of thumbnail sketches. The moods conjured range from euphoric and calming through to eerie, nocturnal and in one case downright terrifying. None of the tracks have titles and instead are represtned by picutres. Really though the need for titles is rendered meaningless by the lack of lyrics. Instead, just listen to the tracks and soak in the atmosphere. If I have one criticism of this album it's simply that it's not very ... Read review

Advantages: some great drum n bass moments
Disadvantages: not up to his usual standard?

...signee to his Rephlex label), Richard D. James' third major-label album as Aphex Twin was his first to work with jungle -- though, to his credit, he had released the breakbeat EP Hangable Auto Bulb almost a year earlier. Contemporaries Orbital and Underworld were beginning to incorporate moderate use of drum'n'bass in their work as well, but this album was more extreme than virtually all jungle being made at the time. The beats are jackhammer quick ...
...is a child-like ode that gradually deteriorates into a bizarre fantasy concerning the milkman's wife. With all the Aphex Twin's curious idiosyncracies, though, Richard D. James Album is a very listenable record and a worthy follow-up to I Care Because You Do. [The American issue features the English EP "Girl/Boy."] ... Read review

Advantages: Intelligent and inspirational.
Disadvantages: It's an aquired taste

...ambient, house, techno and others. I find that, unlike most 'dance' music, the Aphex Twin can be extremely emotional, even spiritual, shown here on tracks like 'Acrid Avid Jam Shred', 'Mookid' and (my favourite) 'Alberto Balsalm'. Richard is often recognised for writing 'odd' music, ignoring the fact that he writes excellent melodies. At times it can be abbrasive, particularly the single 'Ventolin', but it's never noise-for-the-sake-of-noise. It ... Read review

Advantages: Great mixes, full length
Disadvantages: none

I have actually got Spiller "Groovejet (If This ain't Love)" single on vinyl. I bought it from HMV, in 2006 for about £3 brand new. It has two tracks on it; "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)-Extended Vocal Mix" with Sophie Ellis-Bextor 07:27 and "Groovejet-Solar Stone's Jet Groove Dub Mix". 05:55 It is essentially a DJ's copy but I play it myself. Two great mixes of this cult classic on Positiva recordings. It came out in 2000 and can still be ... Read review

Advantages: Great mixes, chilled, value for money
Disadvantages: Two weak tracks, nothing major.

This 2CD compilation by Jay Burnett is very, very good. CD1 is relatively poor compared to CD2, which is amazing. Alternative mixes of Dido, Spiller "Cry Baby", Motorcycle "When the rush comes". David Bowie vs Scumfrog appears with an excellent "Loving The Alien". "Janeiro" by Solid Sessions is so, so chilled and takes my mind to another dimension. Maybe there is two weak tracks on the album being Moony "Dove" and Kylie Minogue "Love At First ... Read review