I don't listen to it much, every now and then, but it seems to be one of the more versatile electronic music genres. Generally it meanders around the spacey style, but there's plenty out there that is more warm and melodic. So I'll start off by listing my very limited list of ambient/downtempo I've gotten into recently, any suggestions in the same vein would be appreciated.

Clue To Kalo - Come Here When You Sleepwalk

Fantasic downtempo album with some ambient tracks thrown in to boot. The closing track: 'Do You Know That Love Can End' is a set-starter I've used occasionally. The male vocals are implemented well throughout this album.

Helios - Unomia

About the best ambient album I've heard in a while, darker and more organic.

Helios - Eingya

Latest album from Helios, and this time the overall mood is far lighter. Not entirely as memorable as Unomia, but it still provides a natural feel.

William Orbit - Hello Waveforms

Exceedingly famous 'Adagio For Strings' remixer with a fairly seminal release of ambient/downtempo. The entire album is one happy cloud ride, even 'Spiral' which has RnB vocal influences provided by Sugababes.


Secede - Bye Bye Gridlock Traffic

Secede - Tryshasla

Both albums are mint. Uncanny production and a truly organic approach. Smooth ambient, and every now and then a faster-paced breaks track thrown in just to keep things interesting.

Brian Eno & J. Peter Schwalm - Drawn from Life

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles Brian Eno & J. Peter Schwalm - Drawn from Life

lol, I knew it wouldn't take too long before Eno got mentioned. I really need to get more of his stuff beyond 'An Ending (Ascent)'.

That's a great tune. I also have the album (CD) from which that originally comes, but I forget the name at the moment. I'll dig it out...

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles That's a great tune. I also have the album (CD) from which that originally comes, but I forget the name at the moment. I'll dig it out...

discogs > you digging it out

http://www.discogs.com/release/28741

It's called "Apollo - Atmospheres & Soundtracks" and was made to accompany a film of the Apollo moon missions. Good stuff.

I first heard "An Ending" on the soundtrack for the movie Traffic, where it was used very well, I think.

"Deep Blue Day" from that same album is on the Trainspotting soundtrack.

Should also mention Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works."

[Edit: Ha! Beat me to it.]

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles Should also mention Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works."

Second time this was mentioned in a thread in the past week to my recollection, so it looks like I should go and get it. Besides, it's Aphex Twin, so I couldn't really go wrong, now could I?

Richard D. James is a brilliant man. I have yet to hear anything from him that I haven't either liked immediately or grown to appreciate.

For some downtempo stuff, I have to mention boards of Canada, of course. I have Geogaddi and The Campfire Headphase, and I recommend both very highly.

Jimmy Tamborello (under "Dntel") puts out some great eclectic downtempoish stuff. His "James Figurine" alias is good, too, but more upbeat.

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles For some downtempo stuff, I have to mention boards of Canada, of course. I have Geogaddi and The Campfire Headphase, and I recommend both very highly. Jimmy Tamborello (under "Dntel") puts out some great eclectic downtempoish stuff. His "James Figurine" alias is good, too, but more upbeat.

Nope, can't forget Boards of Canada. One of the main interests in Jimmy Van M's new Balance is that downtempo disc with all those BoC tracks on it.

The Orb! How could I forget them?

"A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld."

Another group that makes downtempo/trip-hop...

Sneaker Pimps

6 Underground is still a ch00n despite the mainstream overkill.