[csbubbles]

I find that relatively quiet and less complex music works better for me – such genres as downtempo, nu jazz, trip hop.

While I enjoy a very broad spectrum of music in general (from classical music to death metal, and from avant-garde jazz to hardcore gabba), fast, complex, loud or noisy music seems to get pretty distracting in many cases.

But that might depend on your job, actually. If you are a football player and you spend most of the time working out or outdoors, energetic music may work much better. Or, if you are a factory worker, where you have to deal with 120dB noise over your shift. I don't think ambient would be a good choice there, rather thrash metal or hardcore. :)

If you need some specific examples of "calm" music that works for me, please let me know, I probably could recommend something in particular.