This music stands the test of time. Richard, whatever you were doing at the time, the melodies on this LP still resonate deep within. I feel like I could write 1000's of words on this LP, all I can say is if you think you know the music of Aphex, if you got into him post '95, please please listen to this LP. This is some of the best music, not just electronic, but the best music of any genre ever produced. Exquisite melodies, under- but not over-produced, just incredible electronica that was the foundation of growing up for me, in England in the 90s. Thank you, Aphex Twin.

Ambient produced by Richard D. James. It is very hard to believe that these brilliant tracks were written/produced between 1985 and the year 1992. These tracks sound at least ten years ahead of their time imo.

The A-Side contains two absolute gems: Xtal has an incredible bassline, perhaps a bit too loud, but it creates a very special atmosphere. Tha is a very downtempo pure ambient track.
Highlights of the B-side are for me are Ageispolis, nice melodic ambient, and Heliospan, brilliantly composed, tending a bit more towards IDM.
We Are The Music Makers is a very nice downtempo ambient track, Scottkey 7th Path is my favorite track of the bunch, great production, full of subtle sounds.

Ambient enthusiast or not, a must for your ears, wether you like the Aphex Twin sound or electronic music as a whole, you won't be disappointed.

Although Aphex twins First ambient work is very well designed I never quite understood why it was so praised. When I started listening to other ambient works from the same time I realized... Other ambient works during the 85-92 streak seemed more like his second release, which isn't ground breaking at all, Just more Biran Eno wanna be stuff. Or were just electronic drums with no heart to it. Aphex Combined Synths and drums beats like no one else had quite done yet, but were very soon to once it was released, he he.

But the big difference is, these are just so well produced! and even if they're are other tracks just as good, which they're are... don't let the Aphex hype fool you. these are good enough to keep you entertained in his music without even having to listen to the other stuff. It kept me entertained enough until his Analogue bubblebath series kicked off and the Brilliant ON EP. So to sum it up, it's not amazing, but its damn fine work, and good enough so that you'll have all the ambient goods you need for a long time.

Richard D. James was well beyond the curve when he released this. Furthermore, works from 1985 were on the album - 20 years on, holding their own amongst current IDM producers.

Without a doubt, his best work. Green Calx is still a favourite today with it's acid bassline burbling and bubbling just beneath the surface.

Who can seriously criticise this album? This is the album above all else that got me hooked on electronic music from uk indy boy roots. In fact it set me off on a whole life path. A real work of beauty, with Pulsewidth being perhaps the most accessible and resonant track, and Schottkey 7th Path being the most disturbingly eery. Almost every tune gives me the shivers. A must.

This album freaks me out every time I listen to it. It's so dope! Compared to his later material its like two different artists! I know he is very creative, and explores the abstract, but this is an exclusive. The slick arrangements & flowing layers of percussion, the old school house beats and wicked analogue synths hold their own and beyond. Absolutely brilliant.

Breathtaking ambient, too bad the cutting is ridiculousely poor.

Much nicer than all of his later crazy material, Selected Ambient Works is one of my all time favourite albums. I could never really understand the inclusion of Green Calx though, theres no denying, it's a top track, but it's ping pong beats and acid mentalness are completely at odds with the rest of the album.

This is Aphex Twin's best album in my opinion. The first half in particular is simply breathtaking. An absolute must for your collection.
My copy of this has the rather odd cat no. of AMB LP.

An essential release for a new way of listening in ambient in 1992. I heard a part of the track "Agaispolis" in radio at this time and was looking after it for 5 or 6 years because I had no information about it. When this album was rereleased and I listened to it in the recordstore I remembered immediately that this is the one I wanted to have since I was 15...