Aphex Twin - Tha: The First Minimal Techno Tune Ever?
While I've always thought minimal techno came from Mika Vainio, Plastikman, Dan Bell, Robert Hood and the Basic Channel guys, seems like some foundations were also set up by Richard D. James with his Tha track, released on Selected Ambient Works 85-92 in 1992, but probably made much earlier. The track sounds totally different from other stuff from that compilation. Check out and discuss:
Track above its time. I haven't heard this before. Thanks for info.
___________________
"Well son, a funny thing about regret is:
It's better to regret something you have done rather than something you didn't"
Last edited by mphreak on Jan-28-2008 at 22:10
Jan-28-2008 19:51
denys envy
no scratch, no snatch...
Registered: Mar 2004
Location: falLAcy, CA
sounds like techno to me...
Jan-28-2008 19:56
noikeee
dubstep convert
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: lost and wandering looking for directions.
This is far more melodic than anything I've ever seen branded as "minimal", but then again I'm not an expert in minimalness.
Nice track.
___________________
sempre contra a corrente do jogo
Jan-28-2008 20:06
JakeC
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Birmingham
lol, minimal.
Read the Album title slowly.
Jan-28-2008 20:29
PETRAN
Like Antennas To Heaven
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Volos, Greece
OMG Selected Ambient Works 85-92, what a great album. I still give a listen from time to time.
About minimalism, i wouldn't tell that "Tha" can be considered minimal techno, just great a-la aphex twin spacey and loopy ambient (maybe "proto-IDM") experimentation. This is how aphex twin was working back in the time, taking sounds and looping them endlessly! Take note though, in cotnrast to modern minimal techno which is often made by very few elements (some of the more "maximal" examples like Gui Boratto and The Field still use very few), this has a considerable amount of chord progression (great spacey "moogy" synth in this one!), atmospheric pad tapestries, telephone conversations etc. making it quite "maximal" in comparison to modern "minimal techno".
I also love the first track of Selected Ambient Works "Xtal" (if i remember?) in which an uplifting chord and ambient chords are played side by side to a looped angelic female vocal (sample) which is taken by a Cocteau Twins record (Elizabeth Fraser ftw!). So many great tunes in the current album!
Last edited by PETRAN on Jan-28-2008 at 21:13
Jan-28-2008 21:08
Dublin Guy
your ole one
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: downstairs in berghain
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: downstairs in berghain
aphex twin is a legend thats what is has to do with this thread.
amadon
Jan-28-2008 21:47
chesco
out to lunch
Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Glasgow
em kraftwerk.
Jan-28-2008 22:09
PETRAN
Like Antennas To Heaven
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Volos, Greece
quote:
Originally posted by chesco
em kraftwerk.
Yeah right everything is "minimal techno" now.
Jan-28-2008 22:10
chesco
out to lunch
Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Glasgow
I'm not saying kraftwerk produce minimal techno, alls i'm saying is there are a number of their tracks which would quite easily fit this minimal techno tag as it is today.
