ASIAN LOUNGE

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 8, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B000BF0DCY
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,740 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #95 in Music > World Music > India & Pakistan > India

Track Listings

1. Fukaki Umi No Kanata

2. Koyal

3. Ja Name

4. Oceans of Ecstasy

5. Campuhan

6. Angels of the Island

7. Space in...

8. Funky Guru

9. Eastern Journey

10. Water Down the Ganges

11. Dreams of Happiness

Editorial Reviews

There has long been a cultural exchange between the East and the West. Marco Polo and the Silk and Spice trading routes began the process that, over time, has led to the creation of new musical styles. Putumayo presents examples of this ongoing musical interaction with the release of Asian Lounge. Travel from London to Bombay, Bali to Tokyo with this compilation of innovative Asian fusions, the sixth in Putumayo’s successful Lounge series. More than half the tracks on Asian Lounge have never been released in North America, paving a path for those who like to stay connected with ever-evolving music scenes.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album will be donated to Oxfam America and Novib/Oxfam Netherlands in support of their development efforts in Asia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Putumayo Lounge, November 14, 2005

By 

Julian Marcus "JM" (In the Heart of Putumayo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ASIAN LOUNGE (Audio CD)

Aside from Arabic Groove, this has to be the best flowing album in the Putumayo series. The songs blend together, although diverse in sound, style, country, instruments, and voices. If you're not paying attention, you don't even realize when one song has stopped and the other has begun.

The opening track of the Yoshida Brothers is a great opener and sets the pace and tone for the album. Ancient Future appears again (Music From the Tea Lands) and continues with more beautiful, lounging rhythms and instruments. Deepak Chopra also contributes once again to a Putumayo album. If you almost liked his track on Latin Lounge, then you'll probably really enjoy the one on Asian Lounge.

I think Funky Guru will be one of the most popular, although Koyal should be appreciated for its haunting music and sweet vocals. In my opinion, Water Down the Ganges is the best song on the album. Probably the only reason that an 11+ minute song would even make a compilation like this. It's a song you don't get tired of listening to and contributes heavily to the lounge theme.

If you've already listened to Music From the Tea Lands, this is the Electronica version, with deeper bass, synthesized music, and cool vocals.

Well done, Putumayo!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eastern Grooves for Chilling Out, October 1, 2006

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: ASIAN LOUNGE (Audio CD)

Another stellar release from Putumayo, this CD focuses on ambient/lounge music from Asian artists. The whole CD works as a wonderful compilation. As others have said, theres not a single track to skip over. Many of the songs are completely new, and have never been released in North America until now.

Needless to say, the strongest influences on this CD come from the Indian subcontinent. Nitin Sawhney's "Koyal" has a mellow Bollywood sound, complete with flutes and female vocals. Deepak Chopra and Biddu Orchestra both showcase South Asian percussion, while sitars are featured in Nataraj XT's "Space In...". And then theres "Water Down the Ganges", collaberation between Prem Joshua and Manish Vyas that runs for more than 10 minutes! But theres also other stuff too. "Campuhan" by Blue Asia and "Angels of the Island" by Bali Lounge draw upon the rhythmic music of Indonesia. Ancient Future weave together a lively blend of Indian and Chinese sounds. And the Yoshida Brothers mix ambient sounds with traditional Japanese instruments on "Fukaki Umi no Kanata". The final track, "Dreams of Happiness" by XCultures, draws upon and reflects all the same influences as the others and is a perfect ending to the CD. It'll stay with you long after going off.

This is an incredible CD, whether your dancing to it, driving out someplace late at night, or just chilling at home. You'll get hooked on this CD after the first song. Especially, as others have already pointed out, if you liked Putumayo's other CD "Music from Tea Lands". Like that CD, this compilation showcases artists from across the Asian continent, but in this case there is a more ambient/electronica feel to the songs. Nonetheless, the two CDs complement one another perfectly. Indeed, the band Ancient Future is featured on both CDs. If you liked one, then you'll certainly like the other. So do yourself a favor and go out and buy this CD. Your ears will thank you later.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ageing hippies find Asian instruments at garage sale, April 20, 2009

By 

P. Spielman "SpielArts" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ASIAN LOUNGE (Audio CD)

Sounds as if some old hippies are doing re-hashed old blues licks on Asian instruments they found at a garage sale (Sitar etc.) and passing it off as "Eastern". Very sophomoric instrumental work with some slicked-up production to pass it off as exotic. Dissappointing that with the whole eastern world of talent to choose from, these extremely boring selections were made. Two cuts by Prem Joshoua are the only saving grace but they can't rescue this cheese-puff fast-food version of authentic Asian talent.Trip-hop indeed! I will take the trip back to my local Library to return this. . no loss. Save your Rupees and research real musical talent, of which there is no lack in "Asia".