Arabic Lounge

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 2, 2003
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Buddha Lounge [Stu]
• ASIN: B0000A1WK2
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,113 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Welcome to the Arabic Lounge, an enchanted land where the Arabic world meets the West in a diverse blend of sublime beats.

The true essence of the ancient Arabic musical tradition is brought alive and expounded upon within this inspired mix as Arabic artists share space with today’s contemporary producers to create a breathtaking milieu of melody and rhythm. Join well known world musicians including Natacha Atlas and Nitin Sawnhey along with a host of electronic music’s most talented ambassadors on another unique and awe-inspiring audio journey that could only be brought to you by the genre bending minds at Buddha Lounge!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Disc 2 alone makes this worth it., April 18, 2005

By	H. Nijem (San Ramon, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must admit it has been over a year since I've listened to disc 1, but disc 2 is still in the rotation. I believe disc 2 is by one artist/band called "Lots of Arabs." I have all the Buddha Bar series as well as dozens of other compilations in this genre (Ravin, David Visan, Ibiza, Cafe Del Mar, etc) and I can honestly say Disc 2 is up there with the best of the best. To play it at a party or background music you can just let it play. It is not "dance" music and doesn't have House beats over traditional instruments however, it is a very new sound and it has great energy. I play it when I teach yoga and for relatives who are from the Middle East. It gets a great response whenever it is played. It makes great driving music as well. I do have to rearrange the order of the songs when I play it in Yoga which speaks even further of how dynamic this CD really is. Personally I think "Lots of Arabs" should have released this as a single/solo album and it would not have gotten clumped into that "oh, another compilation" category.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cultural Clutter, August 24, 2006

By	Samer A. Al Taher "Abu-Samra El Sokkara" (washington, d.c.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Definitely tripped out, very loungy, great use of eastern sounds and instruments, awesome choice of tracks with good mixing & progression. Everything a lounge/downbeat fan looks for.

Unfortunately, it seems like whoever compiled the tracks, can't seem to distinguish between middle-eastern/north african sounds from east-asian/indian ones. I fail to understand how the sitar, surbahar or indian-tablah can be incorporated into a mix thats's titled, "Arabic Lounge". But then again, its a Buddha Bar release... so I guess that could be why.

Of course, I love the east asian sounds, especially classical hindustani and indian sounds in general. So don't get me wrong, its a great mix, go ahead a buy it. But, if you're looking for specifically Arab-sound influenced lounge music (like I was), then this is not exactly for you.

3.0 out of 5 stars Alright..., August 7, 2006

By	A. Hector "Big a" (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I like the cd, but after buying Bombay Lounge, it kinda paled in comparison. And there was a track on this that was already on Bombay Lounge. Which i would have preferred to hear a new song in it's place.

But...I enjoy the cd, just not as much as the previous one I bought.

I guess when you get your hopes up, it's not a good thing. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I heard it before the previous one.

It does it's job however. Nice 'n relaxing...

Big a