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Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II album

Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II album
Performer: Aphex Twin
Genre: Electro
Title: Selected Ambient Works Volume II
FLAC album size: 1966
Style: Experimental, Ambient
Country: UK
Released: 1994

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Selected Ambient Works Volume II is the second studio album by Aphex Twin, the pseudonym of British electronic musician Richard D. James. It was released by Warp in March 1994. Billed as a follow-up to James' debut, Selected Ambient Works 85–92, the album differs in sound by being largely beatless ambient music. James claimed that it was inspired by lucid dreaming, and likened the music to "standing in a power station on acid.

The same could be said for much of Aphex Twin’s debut album, Selected Ambient Works 85-92. It’s true that, even at its most intense, SAW 85-92 was gentler than his abrasive, reputation-making early singles like Digeridoo or Dodeccaheedron. But the pumping breakbeats and drum machines of tracks like Xtal and Pulsewidth were light-years from the interesting if ignorable air fresheners that Eno had originally proposed. But with 1994’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II, James made a clean break-with his own prior catalog, and with virtually everything else that was being trafficked in the genre. Then, as now, the first thing you become aware of with Selected Ambient Works Volume II is its purity, its starkness, its emptiness. There have been quieter records, more minimal records, more difficult records.

As an album, Selected Ambient Works Volume II persistently evades the sort of consensual understanding that is usually accorded full-length recordings of note. There is no remotely satisfying cocktail-banter pithy summary. For a largely instrumental album whose limited verbal material is more syllabic than textual, Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II tells many stories. For one it is a tale of the populist flowering of British occultism, a rave-era echo of the Summer of Love. When in 1996 I interviewed Aphex Twin, who was then living in London, he described the Cornwall of his youth: It’s got a really sort of quite mystical sort of vibe to it: Lots of sort of folklore and folk tales and it’s full of stuff like that, and there’s lots of strange people, lots of sort of weird hermit.

Listen free to Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II ( and more). Selected Ambient Works Volume II, abbreviated as SAW2, is the second album by Aphex Twin, released in 1994. It is the follow-up to 1992's Selected Ambient Works 85–92. The album peaked at on the UK Albums Chart. It was number 62 on Pitchfork Media's "Top 100 Albums of the 1990s". Volume II differs significantly from the first volume in the series, in that it consists of lengthy, textured ambient compositions with minimal percussion and occasional vocal samples, in a vein.

On a practical level, Selected Ambient Works Volume II was a discombobulating experience. Instead of conventional track titles, there were pie charts paired with small photos of random scenes and household objects. These were painstakingly assembled by Paul Nicholson, who designed James's iconic logo, and taken by James's then-girlfriend Sam, who also shot the album artwork. Along with Selected Ambient Works 85-92, it remains his defining release, a record so beloved and influential it would end up altering the course of electronic music. Perhaps its most striking feature is its dominant mood. Ambient fans used to the bright and feel-good haze of Brian Eno were presented with an LP that was, for the most part, anything but: dark, tense, foreboding.

Aphex Twin – 1994 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II CD. :15. Aphex Twin – 1994 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II CD. :42. Selected Ambient Works Volume II CD1 (1994) – Curtains.

Name: Selected Ambient Works Volume II. Released: March 8, 1994 and April 12, 1994 (US). Genre: Ambient, Dark Ambient, Drone, Electronic. Length: 156:32 (UK CD/digital), 151:58 (. CD) and 166:40 (vinyl/cassette). Label: Warp and Sire/Warner Records. Producer: Richard D. Selected Ambient Works Volume II is the second studio album from Richard D. James (. Aphex Twin) by Warp, Sire and Warner Records.

Tracklist

A1 Untitled
A2 Untitled
A3 Untitled
A4 Untitled
B1 Untitled
B2 Untitled
B3 Untitled
B4 Untitled
C1 Untitled
C2 Untitled
C3 Untitled
C4 Untitled
D1 Blue Calx
D2 Untitled
D3 Untitled
D4 Untitled
D5 Untitled
E1 Untitled
E2 Untitled
E3 Untitled
E4 Untitled
F1 Untitled
F2 Untitled
F3 Untitled
F4 Untitled

Companies, etc.

  • Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warp Records Limited
  • Copyright (c) – Warp Records Limited
  • Designed At – Prototype 21
  • Published By – Chrysalis Music Ltd.

Credits

  • Producer, Written-By – Richard D. James

Notes

On black vinyl in stickered gatefold sleeve printed in sepia-tone ink with 12" by 12" semi-glossy single-sided insert.

Track E2 is not included on the CD version.

This edition on black vinyl is considered more rare than the 'limited edition' brown vinyl version, and has better sound quality.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

  • Barcode: 5 021603 021112

Other versions

Category Artist Title (Format) Label Category Country Year
WARPCD21 Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II ‎(2xCD, Album) Warp Records WARPCD21 UK 1994
9 45482-2 Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II ‎(2xCD, Album) Sire, Warner Bros. Records 9 45482-2 US 1994
WARPCDD21 Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II ‎(24xFile, WAV, Album) Warp Records WARPCDD21 UK 2004
WARPCDD 21 Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II ‎(24xFile, AIFF, Album, RE) Warp Records WARPCDD 21 UK 2017
WARPCD21 Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II ‎(2xCD, Album, RP) Warp Records WARPCD21 Europe 2006

Delaath
Does this version includes "Stone in Focus"? I do own the 1972 version though.
Mautaxe
Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress! Repress!
Dikus
Allegedly pressed in a quantity of 1000 copies, from what I've heard.
Stoneshaper
Even though Warp already called 1972's repress out as "not authorized by them" (though still licensed by Sire/Warner), it feels like they do not wish to repress this. Either that or RDJ simply won't allow, he's making his own plans to re-release his back catalog in "chrome or metal tapes". Still I remain hopeful that an official reissue.
Nikohn
Yes, some very interesting comments on his webstore - "Thinking about this now I'd love to try and get Warp to do high quality chrome cassette versions of all my Warp musics, maybe even metal ones if possible. If I wait a year or so for this I could include all the extras on the cassettes as there would be plenty of room, would have to sign the tracks over to Warp first for a physical release, something I don't have to do for this website but that shouldn't be too difficult." I would buy a cassette deck, just for this. Either way, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a vinyl release at the same time. We can but hope!
Abuseyourdna
Yep time for a repress, they would sell plenty irrespective of the outlay. Autechre have done the early represses so Apex time now!
Thundershaper
Just bought a copy of this for a fiver lol
Jugami
Found a copy for £10 so snapped it up. Following week I found a copy of it on brown vinyl for £20, so snapped that up too!
Katius
:) Thats great, its a nice when things just work out like that !
Cobandis
Someone know how it was packed?How was the inner sleeves?i received my expensive vinyls in a non Pvc horribles and dusty bags!!
Anicasalar
1117 want and counting. time for official warp repress?
Madi
well, we got the laptop cafe reissue, but things still look grim over here
FRAY
The thing is that even the original, black vinyl press isnt perfect, either. There is a lot of material on it and you have to live with some crackle and background noise and the dynamics are not overwhelming. So if you want to made the best out of it, you would have to press it on four or five records. Then again, you would have to get up every few minutes to flip the sides...so I guess vinyl isnt the best way to listen to this album, at least if you want crystal clear sound.I got to check out that Laptop Cafe album, sounds interesting - I am kind of confused because I have never heard of it!
Sennnel
Likewise, Quintdresden! Been following you for a while after coming across your comments here and there. I actually missed the comment from Warp on the SAW II repress. It would be a shame if this bootleg dissuaded Warp from officially repressing SAW II but Aphex has a lot of very passionate fans who would probably purchase an official repress that included Stone In Focus. I do wonder if Warp pays attention to the Discogs Community. There are quite a lot of people who want a repress of The Other People Place - Lifestyles Of The Laptop Café and some have even gone as far as to set up an online petition to get Warp's attention: https://www.change.org/p/warp-records-please-repress-lifestyles-of-the-laptop-caf%C3%A9-on-vinyl
Bev
Hi there! First of all, I appreciate your comments on Discogs, been stumbeling about them a few times now.Yes, I was refering to the 1972 issue. I guess its not really known if this is a bootleg...it certainly was widely distributed and was even sold in the biggest Electronics chain store here in Germany. But if you read the release page you surely noticed that someone quoted a comment that WARP posted on their facebook page, that this is not a licensed repress. I have not listened to it myself since I own an original pressing, but I am not against bootlegs per se, especially when they are well made. The biggest let down of that issue is, of course, the omission of "Stone Im Focus" which is widely regarded as one of afx's best Ambient tracks. I guess for the price it is sold, you cant really go wrong with it. And I am sure that quite a few people thought the same and just bought it without thinking twice - its kind of understandable since that album has been in high demand on vinyl for at least ten years. Of course, I would like to see an official repress to make the original track listing available for more people, but the repress came out in 2012 and, judging by that facebook comment, WARP should be well aware of the demand. On the other side - their repressing campaign only began three years ago and we have seen much needed reissues from many of their key albums. For me, I'd like to see Druqks get a proper repress (maybe in a 4xlp standard sleeve).
Nidora
Quintdresden You are referring to this Selected Ambient Works Volume II version, yes? This was put out by 1972 - do you (or anyone else) know if this a legit repress or a bootleg? After looking at the comments on 1972's page, it appears that they are not held in the highest regard. If this actually is a bootleg, Warp might be more inclined to repress officially?
Frostdefender
I think its rather unlikely, at least in the next five years. There already was a (abridged, cd-sourced) repress of this so most people who dont know any better are good for now.
just one girl
"Repressing a triple LP isn't exactly a cheap thing to do, not mentioning the artwork, jackets etc."Warp did it with Geogaddi, and I would imagine there is enough interest & demand for a legit SAW II repress to warrant a similar reissue.It's bound to happen, and hopefully soon.
Vobei
1589 want. I'm still waiting... I really want a Warp repress of this.
Erennge
Not discounting the fact that repressing a triple LP isn't exactly a cheap thing to do, not mentioning the artwork, jackets etc.I for one would love to see a repress but I'm not sure we'll see it for a while, frustrating as it is.
Mitars Riders
It's strange that Warp has reissued so many classics over the past couple of years, some of RDJ's included, but not this one. Unless of course they know people will buy it and are going to wait until all his new material has been out for a while.
Kabandis
So glad to have found a complete copy of this in good condition. I won't go into too much detail as this one has been reviewed to death (and it IS outstanding all the way through). I'll admit that I find this release much more ideal as a CD/digital release, mainly because I can get fully engulfed in it without changing sides, but it really does feel incomplete without the monolithic "track 19". Really puts the album into proper order. After listening to what basically feels like the universe unfolding for 10 solid minutes, you are brought into a wonderful, cathartic release of the blissful 20th track. You just don't get that 'ride' listening to the CD. Really is the most important song on the album as far as structure goes, and for that, this release is essential. Also sounds 1000x better than that god-awful brown pressing, and I think the coloured cover art makes a huge difference. 10/10
Walianirv
Just received in the mail. Disc two was missing (I already knew this) and I love the album as a whole but bought this of course for the elusive E2 'Stone In Focus'. So beautiful, ethereal, spooky, eternal, shivers, tears...
Whilingudw
Absolutely fantastic, even the more upbeat calm tracks have a haunting quality to them. Throw your headphones on, be ready to think. All the songs have such great textural quality in addition to their fantastic melodies. Recommended to the fullest degree. The black pressing (this release) as mentioned above has a far greater overall sound quality. In addition, the packaging and inside jacket images add a nice aesthetic touch, a visual addition to the sounds you'll be hearing. Enjoy.
Kelenn
It is true that the "regular" black edition does sound better, having said that - this album is a true ambient staple. What we have here is personally one of my favourite releases from Mr. Richard D. James (Aphex Twin). This wonderfully crafted album has a mood all of its own, a shape shifting creation that slowly crawls through your imagination. This album has been my good friend on many late nights in the dark. There are no actual track names (you can find ones given to them on the internet though, which are generally accepted), there are however pictures taken by none other than the artist himself, that correspond through pie charts to the tracks. In a supposed interview he mentioned that he wrote some or all of these tracks while in a dream like state or "lucid dreaming" where one is in control of their dream world. If this is true I do not fully know, but it sure sounds like it from listening to the album. These tracks are mesmerizing, and create their own worlds for you to enjoy. Dark, brooding, hypnotic, this is a real gem for ambient fans. Cherish this one!
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