[JonnieCache]

76:14 by Global Communication is an undisputed classic of the genre, however you might find it distracting because it's so good.

And of course there's Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92, which should go without saying really. Again, you might not be able to work because it's such a good record. Also, it's not ambient in the sense of having no beats. If you've never heard it before you should probably just stop working right now and listen to it. Also he did a SAW vol. 2 album which is more beatless, but it's not as good.

You can't go wrong with Future Sound of London. It's a bit dystopian, but utterly amazing stuff.

The "minimalist" (he hates that word) work of composer Steve Reich is also very good for zoning out. All the other people in the modern "ambient" genre are ripping him off to some extent or another. I suggest starting with Electric Counterpoint.

EDIT - some more:

Hecq - 0000

Almost anything by The Orb, especially The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. Make sure you get the proper UK version not the cut down US release.

Portico Quartet by Portico Quartet

All the Boards of Canada stuff

[jvdh]

Thank you very much for your suggestions!

I've bundled them together in a Grooveshark playlist: http://grooveshark.com/#!/playlist/Work+Ambient/87531575

[JonnieCache]

Should point out that it's Lifeforms by FSOL that you should be listening to. The later stuff isn't so ambient. Whatever that means.

Listening to it again now. Classic. Here they are in full effect back when that album was recorded. The CGI is all them as well. It's all very demoscene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tAx6-Fo6g

Those were the days. And to be fair looking at tumblr now, they've kinda made good on their promise.

[joshwd]

Another vote for SAW (and SAW Vol 2) as great ambient productivity music.

Also I'm a big fan of M83 Digital Shades Vol 1 for this purpose.

[amitdugar]

Thank you for suggesting Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works. I'd never heard of this before. Loving it :)

[JonnieCache]

Fun fact: if you believe the title, he wrote some of the tracks when he was 14 years old.

Personally I don't believe it for a second.

[hexagonc]

I don't find it surprising, especially for someone that is already a musical prodigy. I remember dreaming of beautiful melodies as a kid, but lacking musical talent, I was unable to play them on a musical instrument. Thus, the melodies were just stuck in my head and usually forgotten shortly after waking up.

[JonnieCache]

The thing is, RDJ is legendary for self-mythologising. As a result of this, everyone else mythologises him too. He's obsessed with messing with his fans' heads. He has openly stated in interviews that he lies about himself all the time.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-...

To be fair he could have written that stuff as a teenager. But then maybe he also owns one of Kraftwerk's original vocoders, modified to produce output in Cornish.

Apparently he also has a lookalike that walks around at his shows to divert the attention of fans.

Etc etc.