Marc Weidenbaum, author of the book Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II, in the 33 1/3 series, shared this collection of ambient favorites from the account of user18081971, aka Richard D. James.
James has shared more than 200 previously unreleased tracks via SoundCloud. Weidenbaum created the Selected Ambient Works Volume 3 playlist by identifying tracks that had similarities to tracks on the previous official release.
He notes:
What does and doesn’t belong in this Volume 3 is up for debate. I’m emphasizing material that has an apparent parallel to the material on Volume II, including tracks whose titles include a “SAWII” reference.
Arguably, a Volume III in the series would have a distinct character to the previous volumes, much as Volume II was distinct from 85-92.
Oh my lord, he should not have called this SAW III under any circumstance!
Those 33 1/3 books are utter garbage!
The 33 1/3 book on SAWII is good! Overall that series is hit or miss, since they’re all different authors! (The Daydream Nation one SUCKS!)
I have found a number (certainly not all) of the 33-1/3 books to be good, if brief, reads. I have Marc’s book, it qualifies as one of those good reads IMO. I’m going to enjoy this playlist.
Strongly disagree: I’ve read a couple dozen of the 33-1/3 books, and the one about SAW II was the worst by far. Talk about a blown opportunity.
I’m also not so sure about that. Meanwhile, user18081971 has been organizing some of the uploads into playlists over on https://soundcloud.com/user18081971/sets. Scrolling down, there’s one I enjoy titled “saw 1.5”: https://soundcloud.com/user18081971/sets/saw1-era
I’ve read a few of those 33 1/3 books, with mixed results:
Kid A – wonderful
“A Journey to the End of Taste” – virtuosically good
Another Green World – I didn’t enjoy it personally
SAW II – I am a massive fan of Aphex Twin and I found some interesting bits in this book, but it was even more detailed than I expected, and a bit dry.