Customer Reviews

Asian Travels 2: Six Degrees Collection

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Asian Travels 2 is a collection of mostly downbeat ethno-techno music. Generally speaking, it's more appropriate for background music than for intense listening. This is today's equivalent of the exotica movement of the 1960s, and its stars include Talvin Singh (not present on this album), Karsh Kale, and DJ Cheb i Sabbah.

The focus of Asian Travels 2 is on Asian countries like India and Pakistan rather than China or Japan. Techno crosses over into the realm of qawwali and bhangra to produce a complex album that is pleasant and nonobtrusive. Tablas and sitars meld seamlessly with drum and bass rhythms.

Standout tracks include "Red Earth" by Outside (melancholy but hopeful breakbeat), "Aaja Re" by MIDival PunditZ (featuring the gorgeous voice of Bollywood star Lata Mangeshkar), and Karsh Kales's "Deepest Blue (KK's Deepest Brooklyn Mix)" which reminds me a little bit of a slightly hiphop-tinged Passion-era Peter Gabriel.

The album finishes up with some ambient tracks courtesy of Bob Holroyd (reminiscent of 808 State's "Bird") and DJ Cheb i Sabbah (extremely organic).

I highly enjoyed this cd... I do prefer AT1 - but don't pass this one up... My favorite tracks was Karsh Kale - Distance (Banco de Gaia Remix) and Banco de Gaia - How Much Reality Can You Take? Though imho there's not a bad track on it... and it is a good mix from begin to end... and if you're a nu world dj - get it... Amor y Paz - DJ Dakini NYC

With a title of "Asian Travels," I was expecting the music to represent traditions from across Asia, but instead it focuses on South Asian music. That's okay, I love Indian music, but I was hoping for some examples from East Asia too.

Most of the album is more like background music than foreground music, an aural wallpaper that is entrancing. A few of the songs drag on a bit too much-the last three tracks plus the one by Makyo-but the majority are interesting beginning to end.

There are two especially notable highlights. The album opens with a Banco de Gaia remix of Karsh Kale's "Distance." If only the whole album were this fabulous! The song has a fast-moving, light and airy feel to it with a kind of pan-Asian sound.

The high point of the album is Banco de Gaia's "How Much Reality Can You Take?" Unlike the calm, slow pace of most of the album, this instrumental track jams with sitars up front. Totally cool!

I got this album in 2003 and have listened to it a lot, both last year and this year. Of the albums I acquired in 2003, this ranks among my top 15% favorites. It has an enchanting sound that brings pleasure to the ears and relaxation to the soul.

This cd seems more repetative. Not as upbeat or diverse as the first one.

I LOVE the first one though. It has been one of my favorite cd's since I bought it a year or two ago. I highly recommend it if you like eastern music with slight western influence.