Customer Reviews

SAHARA LOUNGE

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was initially attracted to Putomayo's Sahara Lounge because I was idling the minutes away in a record store and it had just been released. "Shiraz" pulled me into it. I found out later that that song, the opening piece, was the product of Ramin Sakurai, of Supreme Beings of Leisure fame. It's a great way to kick off what is largely a sensual, intimate-feeling album. While Silk Road Café feels like relaxing "store" muzak, this album has a less restrained feel. "Organic" and maybe even "earthy" describe it well, despite the obvious touch of electronica running through the songs. Other album favourites are "Fly" for its poignant melody and Ilhan Ersahin's stripped-down vocals. Since I like French-language music, I enjoyed "Lili s'en Fout" with its strong beat and alternating French and (Arabic?) lyrics. For the first week of owning this disc, I put all of the songs on my MP3 player and walked around a rainy campus silently, taking the combined effect in. It felt like I was in a trendy (yet solemn) music video, which was nice. Overall, the album is better suited to lovemaking than dancing, but that's why it's called "Sahara Lounge." Cozy up to it.

I'm not sure why another reviewer claims that there are "quite a few" of the same songs on this compilation as on Arabian Travels 1. I have both and can vouch that there is only one track that the albums have in common, the Sonar remix of Dahmane El Harrachi's "Ya Rayah". Indeed, the two albums have a very different vibe, overall. Sahara Lounge is more organic with a rootsier flavor and Arabian Travels has a more electronic, techno flavor. Both are nice albums with different approaches to similar movements in the world and electronica music scenes.

I really love the Putumayo series, they generally have wonderful compilations, and generally put together quite a nice set of music for the region they are representing with thier CD compilations. I like the fact that when you buy a CD, part of it goes to charity.

I liked many of the tracks on this CD, the problem is, its called Sahara Lounge, and a lot of the tracks are not even from the Sahara region. There are tracks from the US as well as the UK. There are also many, many from Lebanon and a sampling from a few other middle eastern/north african contries, but for the most part there is nothing from Iraq, Iran, Israel, Syria, also north Africa which contains most of the Sahara region is very poorly represented.

For the tracks that were put in, most of them are pretty good, and would make a nice backround for a hip middle eastern themed dinner, or music to play in an exotic lounge.

This is one of the best music from the Mediterranean. All songs are great Putumayo really did a great job here. Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and so are the women, I know I live here! Click on all the songs and you will agree with me, listen to the samples.
Towards the end on my Army tour in Europe, I heard some music in a Mediterranean lounge that made an impression on me. My girl friend realizing my interest in the music, informed me that it was Moorish music. We danced all night to the captivating sound that was being played in the lounge that night. At the end of the night I noticed the CD cover on top of the DJ's table, it was "Sahara Lounge", This CD is one of the best recordings from this enchanting place, it brings back the romantic days of the desert caravans. I have recently retired from the army and now I reside in Tangier (Morocco) it's close to the sea and the scene it's beautiful, the people are real nice and the region is full of stories from the days of Spanish/French (see Casablanca movie) times. I wake up every morning to the call of the Imam and listen to the rich intriguing music in the Cafe Lounges and play my Moroccan drums. Most of the people speak Spanish or French and are well educated. On weekends I can travel to Southern Spain (Tarifa) and enjoy more exotic music blending the Spanish/Moorish sounds (check Radio Tarifa Band) and its rich culture. My ex girl friend (now my beautiful wife) she is Mediterranean and the dancer in our band, she blends greatly with this region. Not only buy this album but visit Morocco, travel to Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, Who Knows, maybe you will find your other half! Until then Salem Alekum!

If you are into chillout lounge type of music and have an ear for oriental sounds you will love this CD. However, lots of my friends who are not known to be great fans of arabic music loved this compilation as well. It is great for long train rides, for a relaxing breakfast or as background music for an evening with friends. My favourite song is the haunting Elama. The songs all blend nicely into each other, this is one of Putumayo's best compilations!

Come with me to the Casbah....so we can chill to the sounds of Sahara Lounge. Is it just me, or is Putumayo getting better and better?

Sahara Lounge is a mellifluous, spicy journey through the exotic fairy tale lands of Persian palaces, Arabian sands and Maghrebine courtyards, jumbled up and sifted through European downtemps beats and postmodern cool. It's smoother, cooler and more tongue-in-cheek than Putumayo's other Middle Eastern gem, Arabic Groove, but complements it beautifully for the quieter moments of your day.

The word is subtlety: subtle melodies, subtle vocals, subtle fusion. But unlike so many of these "subtle fusion" musical attempts, the shimmering Middle Eastern soul of the music is never lost in the electronica elements. It's not just smoke, mirrors and camera tricks as is a large majority of downtempo music, being based on genuine and ancient musical traditions. We find artists featured from right across the Islamic/Middle Eastern world, from Iran to Lebanon to Morocco, in addition to some European DJ's.

Enjoy it on a early summer's morning, with a steaming glass of mint tea in one hand and your favourite book in the other!

"Sahara Lounge" is a highly underrated album.It's got a glorious diversity of music,showing the Middle East in all its exotic glory.When I first heard this CD playing in an imports store,I was entranced.

The opening track,"Shiraz",is a powerful instrumental from Sharif that draws you in.Bahia El Idrissi uses his background in Sufi chant to sing an enchanting song.The lyrics aren't in the liner notes,but they aren't necessary.One can hear the vastness of the desert in his voice.Maya Nasri's "Khallini Bilijao" is a powerful song of unrequited love.Soap Kills' "Dub4Me" is another great instrumental."Cleopatra in New York (Zim Zam Mix)" doesn't seem to do much with Cleopatra,or New York,but it's wonderful.Yasser Habeeb's "Elama" is a hypnotic chant.Ilhan Ersahin,who also has a track on "Euro Lounge",plays his special blend of Turkish jazz.The Jasmon mix of Mohamed Mounir's "Hanina" is delightfully loungy;if you want to hear the original,check out Putumayo's "North African Groove." Justin Adams' "Desert Road" is a great meditation on the North African desert.Finally,there's the lounge mix of "Lili s'en fout." It's been taken too seriously by some reviewers.It's meant to be fun,and it is.

"Sahara Lounge" is a perfect downtempo,chill-out companion to "Arabic Groove." It shows the breadth and diversity of Middle Eastern music.It's a perfect introduction to Arabic music.

I've heard several Putumayo compilations, and most of the Lounge series, and this is by far the best. Ambient, exotic, and endlessly listenable.
While living on a kibbutz I lost my iPod and had only this album for several weeks. I spent many hours in the apple packing factory listening to nothing else, and still am not tired of it.
This is also an excellent introduction for those (like me) to whom 'authentic' Arab music like Umm Kulthum is still almost impenetrable.
Highly recommended.

I am a teacher in a classroom filled with 2 year olds. I LOVE music from different countries and different cultures and firmly believe that our children should be introduced to worldly music. I put this CD in for the first time as the children were waking up from nap. One girl started bobbing her head and arms to the first track, and others followed suit. It's not a fast pace dance cd like they're used to... so they had to listen, and figure out how to move, it was very interesting, and fun.

I love putting this CD on in the background while we do activities and work. The flow of this CD is beautiful! I love it!

During the summer this CD never leaves my changer. Its awesome chill music with an eastern vibe.