Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II

Just an incredible release album around, the pressing is on thick flat heavy vinyl that is dead quiet and very dynamic with deep loud bass, exactly what was needed for such a release. Couldn't be happier waiting for this

What’s to be said that hasn’t already been said about this album. A two and a half hour behemoth that takes you deep into your own psyche, kicking around like fragments of dreams you’re struggling to piece together the moment you wake up. Every note, every rotation of the record feels ancient, like some artifact that was recently unearthed and the vibrations contained within have just begun to shed their rust. It is the type of music that feels like it was always here, and always will be.

Needless to say, everyone deserves to have some pressing of this classic in their collection, but where to start? Obviously, after years of radio silence and one awful reissue (from 2012) the album was finally given the deluxe treatment last year, meaning you can get an incredible sounding new pressing of this for no more that 50 dollars. At long last!

So then what in gods name attracted me here, to an original, where many people would be lucky just to lay their eyes upon one let alone sell a kidney to get it? And what about the sound quality, just about everyone agrees that’s these records were pressed terribly, with the brown version being even worse. Well, when confronted with the opportunity to get one of these for half of its current asking price (a steal!) I simply had to jump on it and see for myself just what the issue is with these first pressings. My copy matches this perfectly, being the black version, and after a long sit down with the record I am very happy to report it sounds phenomenal. Indeed, the record is chock full of surface noise, as a result of small imperfections you can see all over the wax when held to the light. I think the rumor is right, these just weren’t pressed well. Despite that, the noise is so low level on my copy, that I found it hardly bothered me at all. The mastering sounds so damn good when turned up that at a point I found the occasional crackle to blend into the waves of ambient, becoming just another artifact of its many years of service to music lovers like myself. All in all, I am more than happy with this pressing and I’d imagine it’s very much luck of the draw whether or not you’re going to get a good copy. As for me, this is now my most prized possession, one I will be spinning for many many years to come…

Nothing much to say about this release, its just a work of art. The discs being completely flat, with almost no surface noise.
10/10.

One of the best pieces of my collection. Everything about this release is spot-on and flawless. From the packaging to the music itself, it all just blows me away. The album itself is one of the most immersive experiences one can ever embark on. If you're thinking about it, just grab it. You will not be disappointed.

To be frank, I feel both points for and against this box set are valid. For some of us, who simply are casually buying the album don't really get the idea of paying a huge chunk for essentially the same thing, but in a fancier box. However, I can see the appeal for some, since this is crafted and hand made, plus you do get some bonuses like showing how the process went in making SAW II. Honestly it just falls to the type of collector: either the one who just wants the record and that's it, or someone who's willing to shell out a BIT more for something truly special.

All four disks flat, with minimal surface noise. Impressively quiet, which is much appreciated given the nature of the music. Zero noticeable drawbacks from the biovinyl. Was tempted to label each lp/side after decoding the order for the first time, but the challenge is part of the appeal for sure.

Just noticed after 24 years of owning that two out of three of my discs are marbled with the third being solid brown.

https://www.discogs.com/release/10498799-Aphex-Twin-Selected-Ambient-Works-Volume-II States some copies have a brown swirl pattern but doesn't state whether this is across all or some of the discs only.

Labels are in black and white as per this release - at first wondered if the previous owner had mixed and matched versions or if this is straight from the plant at the end of a run/material switchover.

To back up some of the other reviews here, I think product is good and it does the album justice in the nice display box. I think the pricing was a bit heavy on this one but hey,thats a different conversation The only thing that truly matters to me is the music. I was lucky enough to be around when this was first released and even at that time I thought this album was next level. Believe it or not SAW II wasn’t really well received back in 1994 as it was too Beatless and extremely dark & minimal.
I collect Aphex twin records and have done since around 1992 and this sits alongside the original black vinyl version, brown vinyl version and the new UHQ Japanese CD box set. Obsession I know, but for a very good reason.
This album has Now has been made accessible to a different generation that seem to love its just as much as I do. It truly is a masterpiece!

I think all negative comments can be taken with a grain of salt if you are someone like myself, who experienced this album at a pivotal moment in life. Listening to it, having a beautiful box set with a handmade copper plate, provides yet another tactile dimension to this masterpiece that was not available previously.
I am very thankful to own a copy and it will go to whomever I leave my estate when I pass someday. Hopefully not for another 60-80 years, but still, it’s that important to me.

Can anyone tell what they think of the remaster by Matt Colton versus the original?