Universal Language

I miss any club scene where I can vibe to anything other than the mainstream music played on the radio, which is best listened to on the radio. But when its time to dance, time to venture beyond the borders of ‘the states’, without needing a boarding pass, something more energetic and multi-dimensional is required. Through the years I’ve vibed to house, alternative and techno.However, thedesire for a more exotic, rich, ethnic sound has recently surfaced as a result of exposure to the multi-cultural experience back in college—ergo homage to some of my favorite artists ranging from the Persian, North African influenced sounds of dj cheba i sabbah to the multi-ethnic beats of The Buddha Bar Series.

“As a DJ, you have ears,” says Sabbah. “This is your instrument; you know what you want to hear on the dance floor. A lot of genuine world music artists are fantastic musicians, composers, vocalists, but they don’t know how to master and mix for the dance floor. They are not acquainted with the technicalities of how to construct songs that are DJ-friendly with breaks or stops, so you can go from here to there.

With this insight and understanding, it only made sense to forge forward with producing world music for the dance floors, founding a new approach to the process, bringing our two worlds together. It’s only in the last ten years that DJs have become producers, and you could say that we compose music.” The possibilities in this new realm are endless, and Sabbah makes no secret of the thrill that freedom gives him. “Musicians don’t like to hear this,” he says, “but DJs have no limitations.

Tantra Lounge features ambient and downtempo lounge music appointed with samples of Indian instrumentation (sitar, tabla) and snippets of Hindi vocals, and includes tracks from notables such as Banco de Gaia and Transglobal Underground. While nothing on this collection is a standout, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the album definitely succeeds as a cohesive mood-maker. After all, Tantra the lounge isn’t about dancing so much as it’s a location to be seen, a spot to sip aphrodisiacs and revel in the expensively produced surroundings. The collection effectively replicates that feel with its upscale sound. It isn’t adventurous, but it’ll definitely help you get your groove back. Nitin Sawhney’s “Sunset” is a standout, weaving a scratchy traditional vocal sample and tabla backbeat into smooth, London-style urban soul. Govinda’s “Static Aparition” is notable as well, with its sharp percussion, analog-style synth washes, and hip-hop-inspired programming.

Buddha Bar is a Parisian bar and restaurant, located in Boissy-d’Anglas street, in the 8th district of Paris, famous for its unique oriental, chill-out atmosphere. Following its success the franchise has expanded with similar Buddha Bar venues created around the world, as in Greenwich Village, New York, Beirut, Kiev, Prague, or Dubai. A new venue is slated to open in the District of Columbia in 2009.

Similarly to Cafe Del Mar and Hôtel Costes, the “Buddha Bar” music series is a compilation of lounge and chill out music with touch of world music released by George V records.

The Buddha Bar series was Created by the DJ Claude Challe who compiled and produced the first two albums. The series continues with different DJs including DJ Ravin, Sam Popat, David Visan. Later, The first original Buddha Bar came out “Buddha Bar Nature” composed and produced by Arno Elias (also composer of Amor Amor, Buddha Bar 2) included also a DVD of Nature footage directed by Allain Bourgoin Dubourg.