American Reacts to How Aphex Twin Spurned 90's Dance Mainstream!

[@rorymackie4016]

Ambient Works 85-92 is an absolute masterpiece.

[@mossadon]

Timeless. Still sounds as good today as it did when it was released.

[@deetgeluid]

Xtal!❤

[@kelpkelp5252]

As a fan of Aphex since '92, thanks for this video! Appreciate someone reviewing Aphex's material etc with an honest / open mind.

[@reallygoodtv6613]

a longer form vid from you but i still love and the fact your learning about these british bands that are a little unknown to a lot of people across the pond in the US

[@LateBoomer-sl1dk]

I'd love to see him discover the Chameleons. One can dream.

[@AmirRazan]

I've already watched the video essay, but I gotta watch it back when you're reacting to it! (And also to refresh my memory)

[@JJLAReacts]

Thank you 🙏

[@garryallen7206]

Trash Theory’s content is fucking awesome. I love all of these recent music reaction videos. Their video on shoegaze is pretty interesting, as it explores the birth of the incredible ‘My Bloody Valentine’ - a band so loud live, that I have tinnitus to this day as a souvenir from one of their gigs.

[@JackMellor498]

The Boards of Canada mentioned at the end, their album Music Has The Right To Children from 1998 is imho, the finest electronic album of all time. Highly recommended for a listen. Aphex Twin invented IDM, Boards of Canada turned it into beautiful art.

[@350125GOW]

Nah.

[@KNURKonesur]

They are all amazing. The UK being a miserable windy and rainy country has spewed some amazingly inspired artists, couldn't really pick between Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, BoC, Autechre or u-Ziq, who the "better artist" is or who made a more perfect album. drukQs is up there with SAC, or exai, or Hard Normal Daddy, or Music Has The Right To Children, or Lunatic Harness...

[@gustoaudio8711]

Masterpiece, absolutely

[@isaiahromero9861]

I completely agree. Its just so perfect and agead of its time both conceptually and musically. Probably my favorite album in general tbh but its hard for me to pick a favorite album

[@SuperCholdi]

The Spectrum loading sounds form part of the soundtrack to my childhood. Also 10:14 to 10:24 Top of the Pops appearances with none of the equipment plugged in!

[@JJLAReacts]

I was wondering about that 😂

[@SuperCholdi]

@@JJLAReacts The show (BBC) was notorious for demanding that artists mime to a backing track. There are a few instances of bands pushing back and fooling around to make it obvious.

[@lynnejamieson2063]

@@SuperCholdi I think that’s in part due to how music programmes had always been. The forerunners to Top of the Pops like Ready, Steady, Go! always had their acts mime along too. I think they just saw it as the most logical way to avoid mishaps, ensure consistency of appearances and that the song played would sound exactly like the single bought. I’m not sure if the story of Pink Floyd’s early appearances is true but there used to be a story about how the appeared three weeks in a row to perform (I think) See Emily Play. The first week Sid Barrett was looking smart in his brand new outfit, the second he looked a bit rough and was only halfheartedly miming along and the third week he was still wearing the same clothes (looking as though he’d been wearing them constantly since the first appearance) and was practically catatonic. If that old story were even partially true and they’d been playing live, the performance would have been completely different on each occasion.

[@Peejay1966]

As a Dundonian, where so many of the ZX Spectrums were made (I was 15), mostly by female workers of Timex in the city, that sound is engrained in my memory. It's also why the groundbreaking computer is seen as the forerunner of Dundee's booming video games industry. Every house seemed to have one. You'll likely recognise Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto but there's also Autonauts and Phogs! made in the city. Also Minecraft really took off when Dundee company 4J Studios adapted it for consoles and handheld platforms in 2012.

[@2old4gamez]

You really need to look at The KLF. Their story will blow your mind. Oh, please do watch the Windowlicker music video...

[@djgray1200]

I was thinking the same thing when he watched Trash Theory on the Prodigy the other day. Sure Prodigy are kinda punk, but not KLF on Isle of Jura punk.

[@davidpriestley1650]

And then follow Bill Drummonds musical career back to Big In Japan (and the craziness that it is Eric's) and Zoo Records.

[@mossadon]

One thing i really credit James for is mere hours after receiving a Grammy award, he began releasing, free of charge, over ONE HUNDRED previously unreleased tracks online. The Grammy was definitely an Industry thing via his publisher, Warner Bros as James has always been an underground phenomenon while being big enough to be "known" at a certain level above ground. I think the Grammy made him uncomfortable (he refused to participate in the ceremony) and his answer to the swathes of fans all over the world was to drop all those tracks as a Thank You to them and to once again stick twos up to The Industry. The thing to keep in mind is that James, while being legendary, remains in the world of the electronic underground with friends and like minded searchers of HONEST audio entertainment.

[@JJLAReacts]

I respect him for that, thanks. His integrity keeps surprising me.

[@apefu]

Whenever JJ says "obnoxious" I am already thinking "this is so nice".

[@Shoomer1988]

Selected Ambient Works has some of the most achingly beautiful Techno I've ever heard, and on the same album just WFT tracks that defy classification. I've seen him live a few times and he had a habit of just having fake kit he made with wires all over place that did nothing, just to pee off the nerds trying to identify what he used

[@JJLAReacts]

Yes! I love that he sent the nerds on a goose chase 😂

[@triplexdread]

Ahhh the Spectrum. The pinnacle of early Home gaming

[@chrissloan8953]

this was your best yet JJ deep dive was great, i always associate Apex twin with the orbital as they were both underground at the same time early 90s growing up. thanks mate for the vlog.

[@nautilus4599]

The true genius of British music for the last 30 odd years 👍 nice curveball JJ 👍❤️

[@dmbassett]

Yeah as a 90’s student living in London ‘selected ambient works’ holds a special place. Crazy as I now live in ‘the Aussie bush’ and every now and then I’ll slap on the CD(yeh I own the CD) and I’m back in London, the 90’s, clubs, ahhhhh the memories.

[@JFinnerud]

I love how you really got in the mood for this brilliant take on Aphex Twin. Lots of memories from the 90's being one og the oddballs listening to this PS: I still have two "DR. OZIO" toy bears somewhere in the attic

[@IanDarley]

BTW 'windowlicker' is a derogatory noun used to describe riders of the short bus.

[@VelvetVoice]

I always assumed it was a derivation/translation of the French term for 'window shopping' ('lécher du vitrine', I think). At least that's what my seventh grade French teacher told us, anyway...

[@almostideal1306]

@@VelvetVoice Sounds more likely as we don't have a short bus in the UK.

[@snuffcassette7555]

@@almostideal1306yeah we do, theres a whole car park full of them near where i live and i see them after school time

[@DjStinger]

All of this whispering made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.. Thanks for that, I appreciate it.

[@barryleslie7727]

I've been into his music since 2001 and years later he's still an enigma. I can't take too much of his music at once as it challenges and unsettles me but I can't get enough of it. Nice analysis of his work!

[@wayn3h]

He did a song called 'Redruth School' which is about a 5 minute walk from my house. I met Aphex Twin at a rave down at Sandsifter (actually I think it's called The Rockpool now) which is a bar/restaurant on the beach in Gwithian. Check it out. It's Beautiful around there.

[@kennethoconnell8476]

I’m 70 and I quite enjoy this. I was brought up in Cornwall in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, so I missed this lad. By the 1990’s, I was away in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) and Angola. Fun days.

[@chiefaberach]

What a weird way to be introduced to Aphex Twin, to hear snippets from most of his career but not 1 complete song. The Richard D James album is so nostalgic to me - I was reminded of images of educational films from the 70s when I first heard it. A few seconds can sound jarring, where the effect of the full song is genius.

[@1982maxgill]

Window Licker, Come To Daddy and Avril 14th are some of my all time favourite tracks! Plus epic music videos, Aphex Twin Is awesome!

[@JJLAReacts]

Yes! So much talent and supported by a technical mind.

[@kurremkarmerruk8718]

Yeah, Avril 14th is a must-learn on the piano. Very simple but super beautiful.

[@carlosdeferrer3585]

ZX81 was the precursor computer to the ZX Spectrum, they both had the same loading noise.

[@lynnejamieson2063]

I lived in London, on a street that ran onto one of the ones that was part of the route for the funeral cortège on its way to Diana’s burial (Finchley Road). About a week or two before she died I was in a 24 hour convenience store on that very street looking at all the headlines claiming that she should be tried for treason due to her behaviour and what she had said. Yet the flowers that had been thrown to her cortège had been (to a large extent) left to decompose (I expect because sweeping them up and disposing of them may have been deemed too disrespectful…it is far too easy to cross a line where people’s grief is involved) on the side of the road. So I’d say that at that time people’s feeling regarding Diana were changing into the almost mythological status that she now has. Withdrawing a record means that they would stop any new copies being sent out to record shops. So the only copies that could be sold for that week were the ones that the record shops already had in stock, which likely wouldn’t be enough to make an impact on the charts…it would also of course mean that those who REALLY wanted the single in question would traipse around their area going to all the record shops and shops that sold records to try and find a copy. Oh and if you’re planning a deep dive into Fatboy Slim, you have to go back to when he was the bassist in The Housemartins…weirdly he still looks pretty much the exact same as he did in the Housemartins days back in the 80’s.

[@shadybacon3451]

Richard D James is a genius. His ambient works is a fantastic album. Brian Eno is a pioneer, his music for airports is excellent. As a more modern genius, I recommend listening to Phaeleh, his influences included Brian Eno and Aphex Twin, as well as Boards of Canada, another one worth a listen.

[@kelst75]

The Come to Daddy song and video was something else

[@alexc.c.4025]

Ambient Works 2 selected ambient works 85-92 are 2 amazing albums. Ambient works 2 is very dark, but a masterpiece. Electronic music would not be the same without Aphex Twin. Had the change to see him a couple of years ago. It was phenomenal. Glad you found it interesting and will look more into his catalog of music. He’s a genius.

[@ukdnbmarsh]

analogue bubblebath is quite a famous tune

[@Flint_Westwood]

As others have already stated, Selected Ambient Works 85-92 is a masterpiece. If you're not familiar with Aphex Twin, I would listen to that first. I usually listen to that one, later at night, on some decent open-backed headphones. Sublime.

[@ChrisCSunshine]

Nice. I have Power Pill on 12" still O.O JJ you should check the KLF (chillout and later white room vid. Album White room was just epic). Early 90's was amazing.

[@JJLAReacts]

Yeah, I filmed a reaction to The KLF, should be out this week! Amazing story!

[@ChrisCSunshine]

@@JJLAReacts Oh bro can't wait for that one. Loving all your vids tho I should say.

[@djalice]

Love Aphex Twin! I was at that Field Day in 2017 right at the front and they face swapped me onto the big screen projections. I was their for 8 hours before AT came on. My ears didn’t stop ringing for 3 days! The Windowlicker video is my 2nd favourite of all time. My friend lived on the same street as Chris Cunningham. She used to drag me to his house to stalk him but never saw him. You gotta check out KLF and the documentary about them burning £1,000,000 and their book, The Manual: How To Have A Number 1 The Easy Way (with a guarantee) and a few did!🤠

[@duncanny5848]

I discovered Aphex Twin by pure accident only a few years ago, and never have seen any of their videos, but I love the majority of sounds he makes. And Aphex Twin has more than one incarnation/name anyway! Love his/their work. Really his of course.

[@fishtigua]

There is no Spectrum ZX81. The Spectrum came after the 81. How do I know? I've got an 81 just 1 foot away from me.

[@eebangpromotions]

I just discovered you, I'm so glad I did. Your persona is beautiful and the antithesis of most, with your calming and engaged demeanor, velveteen but with a darkness. If it came out that you were a fallen angel that was 4.6 million years old id be like, yeah I can see that...

[@amnril]

The Sinclair Spectrum was called the Spectrun ZX, not the Spectrun ZX81. The Sinclair ZX81 was an earlier Computer which came out in 1981, prior to that was the ZX80 that came out the year before.

[@ianbell6680]

This is shit embedded in my soul, when you are tripping your bollocks off this shit is amazing, the varied mashup is totaly the best way to go pushing boundries and taking the norm to the storm, Craig Armstrong weatherstorm with the bong sound with thunder is awesome shit that needs something to take it to the next level, love the vids bro keeps me focused on what i am

[@johnlocke9437]

He's like the Beethoven of techno/ambient/house. Truly ahead of his time in terms of ability and creativity in the genres, and it seems that he did it for the love of it, never clamouring for limelight. The sheer genius of using sound to create an image of his face in spectrogram, a visual signature made of noise 👌

[@fireeye9221]

Love watching your reaction to our british dance genre legends the surprise at their genuine genius and influence.

[@VelvetVoice]

Whenever I hear tracks from 'Selected Ambient Works Vol.2' now, I immediately think of the many sketches that featured them in Christopher Morris' 'Blue Jam' comedy series (which, as it later turned out, was also the first place I ever heard 'Windowlicker' itself, too).

[@jamesmccavana2942]

Windowlicker and Come to Daddy both shine a bright light on another British creative genius, Chris Cunningham, who directed the music videos. Through the 90s, Chris Cunningham was one of the most sought after music video directors, along with Michel Gondry and Spike Jones, and made some of the most original visually stunning videos, even by today's standards.

[@YTRiku0990]

@JJLA would love to see you react to Jori Hulkkonen some day! If that's too farfetched then: Tiga, the Canadian producer/singer who was brought up by parents partaking in the original Goa-trance events. His show "Last party on Earth" is a cornucopia of legendary artists giving their take on how the last party they'd ever play, would play out!

[@JJLAReacts]

Thanks!

[@TheDidymusBrush]

Love this channel's output. You should check out their video on The Klf!

[@Connnor]

I have been re-immersing myself into aphex in recent weeks, I think the algorithm knows too much!

[@JJLAReacts]

It totally does 😂

[@KNURKonesur]

Shame Spotify is still lacking in music like that, you have to be a serious vinyl collector or use peer-to-peer networks to get a wider array of his music under other names

[@steveparkes]

I hate to be that guy but it's the ZX Spectrum. The ZX81 was the machine before it. I used to work with the chap who wrote Commando for the Spectrum (the game shown loading) he's still in games :)

[@JJLAReacts]

We need guys like that! Thanks for clarifying 🙌

[@chrissloan8953]

@@JJLAReacts i had the ZX SPECTRUM 48K RUBBER KEY with memory expansion via 232 if i recall also to use the joystick and wrote the programs out the book at about 8-10 years old before the big boys lol also ofcource had Atari 2600.

[@BassandoForte]

They should have used "Come To Daddy" at Diana's funeral... 🤣

[@wulfgold]

Maybe they'll use it for Andrew'?

[@TfL1901]

I recently met the guy who designed the Aphex Twin Logo… he was a cool dude ☺️

[@esbee666]

Everyone should add Selected Ambient Works to their collection imo.

[@andysadler6432]

absolute legend, one of the true pioneers of electronic music.

[@djquiz6425]

I went to an Aphex Twin show 30 years ago in Baltimore. Sneaker Pimps and Death in Vegas opened for him. When he came on, they brought out a couch and a coffee table. He came in opened his laptop and put it on the coffee table and laid down on the couch, and hit a button and music started playing and continued laying down on the couch. Every now and then he would lift his head and hit a button on his laptop and lay back down. Did that the whole time. The guys in the furry costumes would come out and dance around. Was a great show.

[@wulfgold]

A "window licker" would be someone that sat on the short bus. It's especially impressive in context of when it came out. I think as well Richard James is a good way of summing up a particular... Brit appreoach to success sometimes. Well worth diving into the catalogue. You should check out some Harry Partch - great American "outsider" artist/musician, HUGE influence on Tom Waits and a couple of good documentaries on here.

[@NerdicusGoblinski]

That nine inch nails remix was actually my first introduction to Aphex twin, but it would take two years to realize it

[@bimwho]

Enjoyed that. Have not thought about aphex twin in years but drukqs was a huge album for me growing up. That was a wierd cross over episode I wasn't expecting but very interesting

[@Ade2bee]

In the 90s part of the DJ seen you could do that you didn't sign yourself you signed the record in the artist that made it, but you could be as many artists as you wanted to be

[@JJLAReacts]

Ah freedom!

[@moodswinggaming2972]

Great reaction mate ! My music taste is really eclectic so its really amazing to find out you worked with Andre3000. I'm both a fan of his work under Outkast and his most recent album also. Anyway, if you read this.... it would be amazing if you reacted to "The Summer Of Rave 1989 (Full Documentary HQ)" on the channel "robotsistrom" here on KZbin. It's an old documentary about the early buddings of the UK electronica and rave scene that went onto spawn Jungle, Drum&Bass the prodigy and more that you've covered recently. I think it will be good for the flow of your recent videos on the UK music scene etc. Algorithm feeding wise. :)

[@robayre482]

Richard is like the god of electronic music. I’m proud to live here in Cornwall where he grew up and was inspired by so much.

[@kennethoconnell8476]

For something a bit more contemporary maybe look at the life and times of Ren, and his music.

[@VelvetVoice]

I think my favourite Aphex Twin track is the sublime 'Avril 14th' - just gorgeous melancholia.

[@annalouisa223]

I love these Trash Theory videos. Hope you do the MADchester one.

[@pmc8451]

The Richard D. James album is surprisingly listenable. “4” is a masterpiece.

[@matthewdearsley123]

Select Ambient works is probably my fav album

[@KNURKonesur]

I don't blame you

[@BladeofAkire]

Give Aphex Twin's music the ceremony it deserves and listen to all of it in an almost sensory depravation state, lights off, lay still, headphones on and don't stop, not even for the tracks that seem more grating/disturbing. Also start with the "Classics" album; Didgeridoo and Polynomial-C are masterpieces. In later albums Xtal and Fingerbib are also masterpieces, among numerous others.

[@elizabethsimpson4430]

I listened to the spectrum 28k, so nostalgic 😂

[@JJLAReacts]

😂

[@elizabethsimpson4430]

@@JJLAReacts I got the computer for doing well in my exams. My brother instantly took ownership. 😭

[@npotufsstrugas6390]

Discovering aphex twin in late 90s changed my life.

[@CosminDuru]

AT is legend. I remember that MTV partyzone interview, Simone is the presenter and she was one of the few whom Richard opened up to on camera. you should also check TT's video on the KLF, their story is amazing and also from the perspective of how music industry worked back then

[@HybridCult]

You worked with Andre 3000 and Squarepusher? That is wild!

[@MARKSTRINGFELLOW1]

I know what he means about the Spectrum sound

[@emcr1]

Love his assertiveness and dedication to his work, and will definitely be looking up some of his music videos. Some of the tracks are cool, but do feel like most are something i could only listen to if someone else in the room had chosen it to play, but not something I'd pick myself. I have my headphones on all day at work, and Aphex would definitely throw me out of sync. I need a beat, the stronger the better 😆

[@MFewwy]

Aphex is a legend. His music is amazing. Listen to Ambient works 1 & 2 and Drukqs. All three are really cool and different

[@stevenlewis2997]

man, I always go back to ‘4’ from the RDJ album.

[@duncanny5848]

I like Quoth (wooden thump mix) as a great sound mix from Aphex Twin, but of course, I have many others.

[@bariantmanci2125]

Ambient works 1, KLF chill out, FSOL Lifeforms, The Orbs adventures beyond ultraworld, as mentioned Boards of Canada to or go very minimalist check out 'Warrington-runcorn new town development plan'.

[@thedutchhuman]

Funny, we used to have a ZX Spectrum too...and those sounds...very recognizable😁

[@JackMellor498]

It is so sad more people don’t know who Aphex Twin is. Like he says in the video, the anonymity of electronic acts really hits them hard. My Mum (52) who loves all sorts of music, had never heard of Aphex Twin ever when I told her I had really started listening and loving the music, she didn’t remember the infamous logo at all. But as soon as I played the Pirelli Tyres commercial for her she was like “oh yeah I do kinda remember that” Shame really. The Minecraft comment is so funny, I’ve played Minecraft with music turned down and AT music instead and it fits so well.

[@JakeWarrington]

I would massively recommend Druqs, probably the easiest of his records to listen to and is just absolutely beautiful

[@Renzsu]

Hey JJ, you may like this BBC documentary on The Hacienda, an almost legendary club in Manchester that was owned by the guys from New Order, in a time when nothing like it existed outside of London. It's easy to find (yellow thumbnail.. I can't seem to post direct youtube links). Lots of cool history and bands, very cool interior as well. Unfortunately it no longer exists, too much drugs and mismanagement..

[@Kelly-MarieLott]

KLF Chillout little fluffy cloyds and pink floyds division bell were my go to chillout records after too much 'aving it'

[@emmalouisa1975]

I was listening to Avril 14th on Spotify just before seeing this! Talk about coincidence! 😜

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

11:55 - plenty on the net to react to about The KLF!

[@Nebuloid1]

Drukqs is sooo good, lived that album for years back then.

[@ben1210]

Id like to hear your persoective on the best mixtape ever, 70 Minutes of Madness. It was Coldcut's contribution to the Journeys by Dj series. Nothing comes close, change my mind 😂

[@rubyreign3759]

That Aphex twin (pmo) condition would be terrifying it'd be white stick time, no new glasses perspiration for me...

[@JJLAReacts]

lol yeah, better to opt out of sight!

[@NotAFoolNamedHuggy]

It’s not my bag. The deconstructed non-liner nature of it reminds me of jazz. Music that has a place, but just doesn’t resonate with what I like. You do you Richard. There is a place for everyone in this world.

[@kennethoconnell8476]

Actually the music I enjoyed in the ‘90’s was Korai Öröm. They also used a didgeridoo, amongst their equipment and instruments.

[@evertoaster]

Windowlicker is an amazing track.

[@Ayns.L14A]

LOL you normally find windowlickers on, as you say in America, The short bus.....

[@YTRiku0990]

This video made me go back to listen to Flim

[@Robhalifax]

Selected Ambient Works is beautiful. I prefer it to the glitchy stuff

[@bramscheDave]

The ZX81 pre-dated the Spectrum by a year, those were two distinct different models. The ZX81 didn't have sound or colour.

[@yphonichs]

you're so lucky to have heard those 3000/squarepusher tracks...

[@taffygeek]

Can't say I'm a fan of Apex Twin - I'm of an older generation. But I'm also glad that, alongside pop, rock & R&B, the UK found room for experimental music in its charts. A 60 year old, like myself, shouldn't feel comfortable with all the music in the charts. A culture needs the new, brash, the difficult and even the offensive to resist ossification.

[@philiprowney]

OMG @ 6:30 that DIgereedoo beat rang a bell... I love Blade II and have the soundtrack in my playlist... Listen 'BT feat The Roots - Tao Of The Machine' and tell me the 'breakbeat' is _NOT_ very close? [ if not the same!?!? ]

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

many (uk)men over 45 grew up on that loading sound......

[@gabrielshansen]

Dane here! Still, 'Here comes the good part...!' (Sounds of a picture loading...!)

[@maranoblet]

Come to daddy is a nightmarish video I agree, but Aphex Twin's track "rubber johnny" has a way more disturbing video. Watch it at your peril! You won't ever forget you saw it!

[@KNURKonesur]

think both were made by Chris Cunningham? :D

[@maranoblet]

@@KNURKonesur They were yes.

[@badm0t0rf1nger]

Kid-A *absolutely* is Radiohead "doing" Aphex Twin. LOL

[@splinterborn]

RDJ, Boards of Canada and Autechre. Innovators.

[@conollytom7049]

34:54 he did a song for mother Teresa, “sandals in the bin “

[@garki1369]

Can someone explain to me the "Sweet Dreams" comment as far as an example of selling out.

[@mary-y8x8h]

Ahh the Sinclair spectrum!

[@benjames9158]

There so much for everyone to listen to in richards discography

[@benjames9158]

its either harsh noise, atmosphere, or nursery rhymes for ravers