Beginning with his acclaimed debut, British producer Richard D. James aka Aphex Twin, became one of the most influential new voices of the 1990s. A true pioneer, Aphex Twin minted the subgenres Intelligent Dance Music and ambient techno.
That title of his debut, Selected Ambient Works 85-92, refers to the year Belgium-based R&S Records released the album. Home to some of the most beloved avant-garde producers in electronic music, Joey Beltram, Biosphere, and Lone all released music on the label. While R&S went dormant at the turn of the century, it returned to the forefront with Nicolas Jaar and early James Blake. Building on the legacy of Aphex Twin, acts like these cemented R&S as a cornerstone of electronic music.
The Bedrock of “Heliosphan”
The Aphex Twin catalog boasts many celebrated compositions. Still, one of his earliest breakthroughs was “Heliosphan” from Selected Ambient Works 85-92. Acting as a bedrock for the artist’s later work, “Heliosphan” grows atop busy hi-hats and alternating bass and snare drums. James created the groove with the Roland TR-909.
Introduced in 1983, the TR-909 predates Selected Ambient Works 85-92 by only a few years. Misunderstood at first, electronic producers like Aphex Twin soon found much to love in the silver drum machine. Over time, the 909 became a favorite among the pioneers of techno, house, and acid. Its precision, mechanical tones made the 909 an essential tool in these new genres.
Yin and Yang
Balancing these near-manic rhythms, modular synthesizer tames “Heliosphan.” A sequence of languid pitches, mimicking the sound of a stringed instrument, provides “Heliosphan” rich low end. While the beat drives the track forward, these simple, drawn-out notes hold it steady. This inherent push-and-pull grounds “Heliosphan” in IDM while keeping the track engaging.
"Acting as a bedrock for the artist's later work, 'Heliosphan' grows atop busy hi-hats and alternating bass and snare drums. James created the groove with the Roland TR-909."
Almost to prove the importance of both its yin and yang, the drums drop out around the two-minute mark. Here, Aphex Twin provides some ornamental, high register tones to pique interest. Still, the absence of drums feels like a true intermission.
The gap gives the song (and listener) a chance to breathe. Finally, as the break ends, the track asserts a need for both elements to create balance. By the time the drums re-enter, “Heliosphan” proves its point: it needs a push and a pull.
Enduring Impact
Ultimately, Aphex Twin’s attention to detail and careful minimalism contributed to the success of “Heliosphan” and Selected Ambient Works 85-92. Lauded by Pitchfork as “the best IDM album of all time” and by NME as one of the “100 best albums,” the record is timeless. Beyond critical praise, this seminal piece in the electronic canon continues to impact artists and fans globally.
