Richard D James, aka Aphex Twin, is not exactly a household name - you're more likely to hear his music soundtracking some gritty urban TV drama than on Top Of The Pops. Even so, his claustrophobic brand of ambient, classical and dancefloor music has inspired some critics to christen the maverick London DJ 'the Mozart of techno'. James's fifth album is a typically sprawling affair, 30 songs spread over two CDs, ranging from chaotic drum'n'bass to restrained classical piano pieces. It's more or less impossible to take in all in one go, but the best of these tracks contain some of the most inventive music you'll hear all year. Credit where it's due - while James's egotism may irritate at times, his album is still a welcome antidote to the sheer predictability of so much contemporary dance music.
