Customer Reviews

Buddha Bar V (Unibox)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to admit I had high hopes for this cd, not saying its bad by any means, just not what I expected from listening to the past releases. There are some wonderful tracks on this cd. Many dreamy tracks of world music, and even a few good beats. If you were expecting Euro lounge or Euro chill-out beats you will barely find any, but if you keep an open mind you will be joyfully surpised at the wide range of tunes and earthy beauty of many of these sounds from around the world. The first cd is much more layed back and mellow, but a pleasue to listen to. The second cd is a bit more up beat, and has a few steller tracks by the likes of dZihan & Kamien. A few other stand out tracks are by Refractory featureing J.C. Sindress and Youn Sun Nah, Trupet Thing, and David Visan and Mickael Winter featuring stunning vocals by Ani Choying Drolma, I won't list them all but there are plenty of wonderful songs on here. Yes this cd is rather "light" and "sweet" but it is a pleasure to listen too, and who knows maybe you will find a whole new type of ethnic music to indulge in. If you really want to splurge and get some great world chill-out music, buy the Karma Collection and the Karma Collection 2003, they are true gems!!!!!!!

Be careful if you play CD#2 (Drink) while you are driving. The tempos build as it progresses and you may find yourself doing more seat dancing than driving. If you like the Buddha Bar, Nirvana Lounge and Chill Out in Paris CD series, you will love this CD, especially if you like the Middle Eastern and Asian influences. CD#1 is perfect as background music for dinner while CD#2 will get you blood flowing. I find it hard to comprehend the criticisms leveled at this CD by a few "purists" and can only wonder what it is that I am missing. Frankly, judging by Buddha Bar IV and V, the Buddha Bar series is getting better.

This is my favorite Album of the Buddha Bar Series..but i think CD2 had a little bit too many arabic tracks in a row (for me it's not a bad thing since it's my native langauge)..
"GIA" remains my favorite song..

I own all Buddha-bar CD's and must say that I really enjoyed the entire concept in the beginning. Claude Challe did a great job on buddha-bar 1&2. After that, his friends/business partners started to chip in. This CD is mixed by David Visan, who also was responsible for volume 4. Let me tell you, I bought 4 and I prayed they'd stop this madness. (see review) Of course I got suckered into this once more and bought volume 5 as well (got to have the entire collection). Frankly, I am not sure which one is worse, volume 4 or 5. As usual, David selected middle of the road new-age tracks, mixed up with extremely boring & soulless vocal tracks (CD1). CD2 is supposedly dancy (I managed to tap my left finger once). Also, David felt it was necessary to add two of his own creations on this CD which basically tells it all. Like all other lifestyle series, this volume very originally celebrates eating and dancing because that was never done before(ahum). If you walk into any large department/record store you can buy the best of buddha, goa, world music etc. etc. for 10 bucks (a 4 CD set). You are better of spending it on something like that. This CD is truly horrible. Oh yeah, just looking at the price of this CD, buy yourself a nice meal and a drink instead. Trust me that's a better way of spending your money.

I recently became a big fan of the Buddha Bar imprint. The only two cds I own that is with the Buddha Bar imprint is the second volume of "Chillout in Paris" mixed by Dave Visan and "Buddha Bar Presents:The Living Theater vol.1". Both cds were simply fantastic and some of the best chill out music I have ever heard in the past couple of years. "Buddha Bar V" is my first official copy of the "Buddha Bar" compilations. Without hesitation, I knew I had to buy it. The track list says it all. I am familiar with Emma Shaplin (well name recognition only) and Operatica. After hearing the cd for the first time today, I was completely swept away by the gorgeous melodies and beautiful vocals on this cd. Both cds are absolutely wonderful. The Dinner disc is more laid back while the Drink disc is more dancey. I loved both cds equally. Then entire feel of both cds ranges from Asian to French. I especially thought the songs on the Dinner disc flowed well tother. Dave Visan does a remarkable job of allowing the cd flow from one song to another. I really loved the opening songs on the Dinner disc. I thought they had a particular Asian feel to the songs. On the Drink cd, Dave Visan picks up the beat with more dancey type songs which is a contrast from the Dinner disc. I thought he did a splendid job at mixing. After listening to "Buddha Bar V", I am definitely hooked on this series. Although pricey, the quality in the music is simply outstanding.I especially enjoyed tracks #1,#7, and #9. Those songs simply took my breath away. Unlike a lot of chill out compilations, the songs chosen for the Buddha Bar compilations are truly unique and different which appeals to me a lot. I get sick and tired of seeing the same ol' song on every chill out compilation I come across at the record store. I find listening to this wonderful compilation thoroughly relaxing, especially when I am at the office. After hearing "Buddha Bar V", I most certainly plan on acquiring the other compilations in the series as well as other cds with on the Buddha Bar imprint.

This is just another new age music album with boring new age strings that are looped on basically every track.. The vocals do not add much in the area of soulful harmonies either. Check moby's and st germain's vocal sampling for a reference point.

Basically this series has run its course. How many new age albums can one person own, only to pretend that they are listening to some pathetic yanniesque DJ at this parisian touist trap restaurant. If you want the true version of French underground electronica then go get Paris Under A Groove and hear the various stylings of new cutting edge musicians from Paris including a rare unreleased downtempo hit from St germain the godfather of french electronica.

Paris Under A Groove reflects the spirit of the contmeporary french artist/ musician that works in his studio drinking wine and smoking incessantly, while creating a unique fusion of jazz, funk and electronica that is unique to the region. Check it out.

This music is so amazing, full of varying moods & rhythms, I just love it. I never tire of listening to it. Just like the rest of the whole Buddha Bar series, this CD is full of suprising twists and interpretations. I have given it as a present to my friends.

My wife and I own about 5 of the BBs and this one has been our favorite by far. CD1 is more mellow and CD2 is all about fast beats and great rhythms. I don't understand any negative reviews of this CD. We love it!

I have a deep respect for music being just music, and the artists that create such a wonder. When reading some previous reviews that comment about how Buddha Bar V is not as great as the previous albums, it baffled me. Music should be listened to with an open mind, without expectation of it supposing to be better than its older sibling(s) if it has any. Buddha Bar V contains music that stimulates the mind and takes you on a journey that seems almost mystical. Try closing your eyes and focus on just the music, and experience how your mind seems to flow with it.

The first disc of the album is called "Dinner." The songs within are more relaxing and have a slower tempo than the second disc, labeled "Drink." The beats liven up in "Drink" gradually as the album progresses. As there are certain favorites to each disc, I recommend at least giving each song a chance. Allow the album to play straight through once, perhaps you will appreciate the simple flow from song to song. While diving into this easy flow of music, perhaps a little appreciation can be accreditted to the people that have put this album together. If ever there is a series of albums such as Buddha Bar, I suggest listening to each without the expectation of it being better or worse than the original. It makes the music much more appreciative, and the experience much more exhilerating, so I have found. Buddha Bar V is a great compilation album of various artists that has captivated my mind and livened my appreciation for music and all that it does. Music speaks to each one differently, but as there are many voices to be heard around the world, it helps to approach each voice with an open mind.

The Buddha Bar collection has brought forth some great mixes of the best dinner/partin'/loungin'/chillin' music of this past decade. Areas of smooth tranquil beats humming just beneath your conversation that morph seamlessly into hip, funky, up-beat grooves that the body just *has* to move to. A definate asset to the lounge music lovers' collection!!