Aphex Twin

Richard David James

He is called "Techno's Mozart" and is admired by everything from contemporary composers to heavy rockers. Aphex Twin revolutionized the electronic music in the 1990s.

On one of the tracks on the fresh remix collector 26 Mixes for Cash, Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin, makes a twist on contemporary composer Philip Glass's string version of David Bowie's "Heroes". The remix was close to never being finished because James demanded to use the original masterpieces with Bowie's vocals, but four days before the deadline he got his will.

The result was amazing: At first it sounds like you arrive at a big ball and are received by an obvious and conversational Bowie - complete with background noise - before the music turns into an intense and chaotic climax. Still, both Bowie and Glass are more famous names than Aphex Twin, but when the 20th century music story is to be written, they deserve as big chapters.

Groundbreaking rolemodel

Aphex Twin is one of our premier musical geniuses. What fascinates me is that he does not look like someone else and that he has managed to create brand new things. He is groundbreaking and a great example for many in electronics, techno, metal, contemporary music and jazz. And his music is not only good craftsmanship, but sometimes also amazing songs and tunes.

"The music style is undoubtedly electronics, but at the same time he is inspired by everything from contemporary music to metal. I feel very well again in this disrespect for genres, and one of his secrets is that he uses the energy and mindset of a music form to use it in his own expression. A song like "Come To Daddy" is electronic music, but uses the aggressiveness and pace of metal. In this way, Aphex Twin creates something new even though he is clearly inspired by something else.

The best proof of the genre of the Aphex Twin is the long list of artists who have been inspired by him. Philip Glass has arranged his music for strings while the metal band Dillinger Escape Plan has recorded a version of "Come To Daddy". He was an important model for Radiohead in their work with the album Kid A, and he has agreed to cooperate with major artists like Madonna, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot.

His references start with electro, house and techno from the 1980s, and then he has gradually assimilated more and more genres through the 90's drum 'n' bass. But Aphex Twin has such a personal voice that it does not sound like a pure genre mix. One can also talk about the genre "Aphex Twin music". Today, there are hundreds of small Aphex Twin copies out there.

Aphex Twin - Rhubarb

@kiimo