series: Artificial Intelligence country of origin: UK style(s): Ambient techno essential releases: Artificial Intelligence (Warp/Wax Trax, 1993) Artificial Intelligence II (Warp/Wax Trax, 1994)

Warp Records started life as a humble record shop in Sheffield, England and became one of the most important and pioneering of all the "intelligent" techno labels that flowered in the 1990's beyond techno's birthplace of Detroit USA. Warp's output over the years has been broard, from earbleeding industrial noise (Aphex Twin as his most demanding) to mutant drum 'n' bass (Squarepusher) to tuneful softcore beats and glacial ambient atmospheres (B-12 and Speedy J). For ambient fans, the two various-artist albums from the Artificial Intelligence series are favourites and remain seminal ambient techno releases, released on the wave on post-rave creativity that gave birth to downtemp labels like Silent Records, Rising High and Fax Records. Also from the A.I. series are six artist albums, the greatest of these being Speedy J's sublime Ginger (1993).

These compilations are ample proof that the re-emergence of ambient via the dance music scene was - far from being the fad some accused it of - one of the most exciting and creative developments in late 20th century music. From a less heady perspective, both CD's are simply great chillout records. Artificial Intelligence II is the more melodic of the two, highlighted by the meltingly beautiful "Arcadia" by Link (aka Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard). This extraordinary track was made around the same time as their classic ambient album 76'16 (1994) which was released under their better known pseudonym Global Communication. The similarities between the two are obvious and "Arcadia" is as fine a track as the duo has ever produced. Darker, more edgier tracks also feature from names like Autechre and Seefeel, acts whose vaguely disturbing but still subtle sounds are an effective foil to the sweeter moments.

Warp uses the term "electronic listening music" on the sleeve notes, a term that was popular for a time. Such a colourless label may or may not sit well with fans nowadays but what really matters is that these albums have both aged extremely well. Consistent across both CD's is an aesthetic: clean, detailed machine music with ultra-precise rhythms yet possessing a heart as well as a head. Kraftwerk's vision of mankind melding with machine lives on.

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