Buddha Bar 2 [Import]

Claude Challe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 2003)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Wagram Records
• ASIN: B00008KCOI
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,470 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Need You (Right Now) [Ambient Mix]

2. I Love You

3. Los Bilbilicos (The Nightingales)

4. Ali Baba

5. Desire (The Lover's Passion)/Do You Love Me/Come to Me/Desire

6. In Through Time

7. Onòn Mweng

8. Spirit

9. Funky for You [Space Hopper Original Mix]

10. Mambo Craze [Extended Version]

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. How Insensitive [Original Mix]

2. Daydreaming

3. A Loop in Time [Banco de Gaia Remix]

4. Drama of Japan

5. Cairo [Duke Monster Mix]

6. Tears Inshalla (Ya Salam)

7. After

8. Felicidade

9. Logozo

10. Escravos de Jos [Robust Horns Mix]

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars World music bollocks., May 24, 2001

By 

Andrew M. Schirmer "violist/student" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buddha Bar II (Audio CD)

Having become somewhat a connoisseur of downtempo electronica, I sought out Claude Challe's much lauded "Buddha Bar" series. Lured by the promise of blissful chill-out music and decadent packaging (all right, I'm a sucker for good packaging), I eagerly plunked down forty bucks for "Buddha Bar 2." The legions of five star reviews here on Amazon assured me and my soon-to-be empty wallet that my purchase had been a wise one. The album arrived, and I rushed home. I turned down the lights, lit a spliff, and laid down; my ears eagerly anticipating downtempo bliss...

Was I ever disappointed.

Halfway through the fifth track (Deepak Chopra's "Desire"), it became apparent that blissful downtempo is not Claude Challe's forte. "World muzak," however, is. You could really cut the pretension in this music with a knife. I recently read an interview with Monsieur Challe, and was amazed at the man's pretentiousness. I'm sorry, but it doesn't really take a rocket scientist to mix records.

"Buddha Bar" is split into two discs, a "dinner" disc and a "party" disc. Disc one is a slow, occasionally monotonous journey through India, Arabia, and Latin America. The only highlight for me was De-Phazz's cheeky "Mambo Craze." The second disc is a decent organic house set, with a few good tracks like dZihan & Kamien's "After," and Suba's "Felicidade." But unfortunately, so much of this music falls into the "muzak" category. How, you ask? Why?

Don't get me wrong, I like world music. The world is full of incredible sounds, and I make a point of seeking out the best. This is not the breathtaking Cuban "son" and "bolero" you'll hear performed by the Septeto Nacional De Cuba. Nor is it the sensual bossa you'll find in music by Jobim and Baden Powell. Nor does it even come close to the wonderful Indian music you can find in those corner spice stores. Rather, the music on "Buddha Bar 2" takes elements from [the music] and puts it through the washing machine a few times; expunging the raw and powerful ingredients and creating something smooth, bland and generic.

In much the same way the Tiki Bars of old bastardised Pacific Islander/East Asian culture, "Buddha Bar" succeeds in taking elements from "exotic" cultures (Arabia, India, Latin America) in an effort to extrinsicly create a new form. Please don't misunderstand; eclecticism is not a bad thing. "Buddha Bar" is not eclecticism, but rather an attempt to conjure up something pseudo-mystical, to confuse and astound the listener. Rather than sounding like something wonderful and eclectic, "Buddha Bar 2" comes off sounding shallow and conjured. Judging from reviews and talking with friends, the cuisine at Buddha Bar has the same problem.

"Buddha Bar 2" does have one particularly fine use. I found disc one espcially nice for making love to. The music does not require any attention, and fits well in the background.

P.S. Sorry about the British slang. I couldn't resist.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buddha Bar is the Greatest cd to Chill Out with...., January 27, 2002

By 

Mehrbod Mohammadi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddha Bar II (Audio CD)

If you love To chill, then this is the best purchase that you will ever make... Let me tell you something, I DJ and there is no better cd to have play in the background than the Buddha bar Dinner cd... It will give a whole new meaning to the word chill...
It sets a real cool mood to your party... and even if you are not a big partier...you can listen to the Buddha party and that is truley one of a kind cd....
ON this buddha cd you will here songs from all over the world mixed to make you move and chill at the same time...
The songs come from Greece, Persia, Arabia, Spain, Asia...it feels real cool to listen to a Buddha bar cd... it is an experiance that you will never forget......

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing collection of international music, December 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Buddha Bar 2 (Audio CD)

I just have good things to say about this CD, it's music is strong, colourful, full of spice & depth, eclectic yet homogeneous and harmonious.

I was reading a book at The Second Cup, a coffee shop close to my place, when suddenly this amazing sounds fill up the whole space, I couldn't concentrate anymore on my reading, spend the next 30 minutes listening to the music, when I was ready to leave I asked the name of the CD, Buddha Bar II, It felt like I had travel the world, without moving one inch.