Ambient music suggestions...

Discussion
1

Howdy all.

It has occurred to me lately that I don’t have enough ambient music in my collection. Now when I say “ambient” I am not necessarily referring to the sub-genre of electronic music known as “ambient” but simply music that provides a pleasing background ambiance in which to read, cook, clean etc without giving too much conscious focus to the musical structure, something that won’t distract.

I’m not sure exactly what I’m looking for, so let me describe the best way I can.

  1. No vocals would be ideal, or if vocals are used they are not used to sing lyrics or words, or at least not English lyrics and words. An example would be monks chanting compared to rapping. The sound of monks chanting would not distract me from reading a novel whereas the rapping would compete with the words I’m trying to digest from the novel.

  2. Something soothing, but definitely not elevator music or “smooth jazz”. Something with more of a groove and a beat than analog blips and bleeps, but not so much of a groove and a beat that I want to get up and dance. Also something that is not too edgy, for example most of COIL’s ambient work or Download is just to nerve racking to listen to when one is trying to relax. It can certainly be “dark” in spirit but not edgy. And certain classical music surprisingly enough can be a little edgy at times, especially with all the starts and stops, loudness and softness etc.

Some of the music that seems to work for me for the purposes I’ve described:

Angelo Badalementi/David Lynch selected pieces
Delirium (mostly earlier stuff)
Selected Hip Hop pieces without the rapping
Dub
certain classical peices

Any suggestions would be helpful. As a music love to throw on a record and just listen giving it my full attention, but sometimes it’s nice to just have it in the background as well.

2

I’ve been listening to the first three Mortiis releases a lot lately.

3

I LOVE ambient music, but the really minimal droney stuff. I’d also recommend:
Final- Solaris
Lull- Cold Summer, Moments
ANYTHING by Oophoi- but I’d recommend Forgotten Rituals, The Spirals of Time, or Upuaut.

I’ve discover Oophoi this year and literally purchased 12 or 13 releases in the span of a few months- that’s how impressed with him I was.

4

Brian Eno - Ambient 4: On Land
Aphex Twin - Saelected Ambient Works Vol II

5

Id like to reiterate Aphex Twin; ‘Selected Ambient Works Vol. II’ as good ambient music. Also try Boards Of Canada, particularly ‘Music has the Right to Children’ & ‘The Campfire Headphase’

6

Torch Song - Toward The Unknown Region (1995): Quite possibly the best ambient album I own. The music can best be described as ‘ambient dub’. Lots of low end, no vocals (a few distant female voices here-and-there, mostly as treatments), subtle, low-key rhythms, very electronic-sounding. I call this one my ‘rainy day’ CD. It’s very ‘dark’ sounding, too. Look it up online and you’ll see rave reviews everywhere. Torch Song is William Orbit, in-case you didn’t know. Highly recommended, and definitely ideal for reading.

Jens Gad - Le Spa Sonique (2006): This guy was half of the talent in Enigma, and this album has very mild, slow rhythms, no singing (the occasional female/male chants, but not Gregorian like Enigma), some subtle guitar work, and layers of synths. I heard this playing in a used book store one day, and snagged it. As good as Enigma’s best work (definitely better than Enigma’s last two albums, ugh).

Thom Brennan - anything by this guy is great. I recommend “Mist”, “Mountains”, or “Vibrant Water”. It’s total soundscape music, so it’s all synthesized atmospheric music - no rhythms (except for the occasional bell percussion). This guy likes his music long, so expect albums of 4-6 songs, with tracks clocking in between 10-20 minutes apiece. I find this to be great soundtrack music for reading.

Michael Brook - Cobalt Blue: Features some percussion, slow rhythms, and Michael’s trademark ‘infinite guitar’ work (which U2’s Edge incorporated into his guitar sound). All instrumental with ambient melodies. This guy was actually on 4AD back in the day.

Paul Avgerinos - Muse Of The Round Sky (1992): I guess this guy is some sort of classical bassist, but this album is all synthesized soundscape music, with tinges of Middle Eastern influence and subtle, tribal rhythms. One of the first ambient CDs I ever owned, and still one of my favorites.

…and I second the earlier suggestions of Eno and Bowie’s “All Saints” (collected instrumentals). Of course there also the great Blade Runner soundtrack.

1002

7

I’ll second the Boards of Canada suggestion.

I also really like Rapoon, Reformed Faction, Lustmord, Tim Hecker. Also, if you like the sound of analog synthesizers Mother Mallards Instant Masterpiece Company’s track “CAGE” from the 1970s is one of my most-played ambient tracks, I love it.

Finally, I might as well get a little self promotion in. I’m involved with the Ka-baalim project which has a couple of (I feel) nice ambient releases on www.darkwinter.com Just search under the audio links. “Western Angels” has remixes by Rapoon and Ministry’s Max Brody.

8

Speaking of ambient… You guys should check out the internet radio station(s) SOMAFM. They’ve got two stations that I really listen to almost everyday. “Groove Salad” and “Secret Agent”. This is the only intertnet radio i listen to - you guys should check it out.

http://somafm.com/

9

more shameless self promotion in this thread:
www.myspace.com/versusreality
www.myspace.com/theinfinitevortex

10

I can’t recommend Boards of Canada and Tim Hecker enough. I’ve had those two running on constant repeat for some time now. Agree on Eno’s Ambient 4 On Land, Aphex Twin Selected works vol 2 and Final 3, their best in my opinion. Autechre’s “Amber” album might be worth checking out, much more mellow and ambient than some of his other work. Leviathan put out a really good dark ambient album called “A Silhouette in Splinters” which I highly recommend. If you dig David Lynch’s stuff you should snag the Inland Empire soundtrack which has quite a bit of ambient music on it. Lynch also just released an album of ambient drones called “The Air is on Fire” which is really damn good as well. I’m very fond of the green death’s “Ka-baalim” project as well. It’s worth checking out!

11

Final // Lull // Tim Hecker all covered good, good.

for something a bit different but still fitting the bill:

Blockhead - for instrumental Hip-hop

William Basinski - tape looped pieces. Esp good: Disintigration Loops // A Red Score In Tile // The River

-E

12

Might want to check out Main.

13

I’m very fond of the green death’s “Ka-baalim” project as well. It’s worth checking out!

Cool, thank you!

14

I also recommend Boards of Canada. I’d also say check out Cevin Key’s side/other projects: download, plateau…If you don’t care on whether or not it’s electronic or not, i’d recommend Godspeed You Black Emperor. It’s really considered “Post-Rock”, but i’ve always figured it’s had it’s ambient-like affect with their music. Aphex Twin is a must also. Richard D James album is my favorite, followed by Drukqs. Either way, some very good stuff there.