Search - Various Artists :: Putumayo Presents: Asian Lounge

A True Putumayo Lounge

Julian Marcus | In the Heart of Putumayo | 11/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aside from Arabic Groove, this has to be the best flowing album in the Putumayo series. The songs blend together, although diverse in sound, style, country, instruments, and voices. If you're not paying attention, you don't even realize when one song has stopped and the other has begun.



The opening track of the Yoshida Brothers is a great opener and sets the pace and tone for the album. Ancient Future appears again (Music From the Tea Lands) and continues with more beautiful, lounging rhythms and instruments. Deepak Chopra also contributes once again to a Putumayo album. If you almost liked his track on Latin Lounge, then you'll probably really enjoy the one on Asian Lounge.



I think Funky Guru will be one of the most popular, although Koyal should be appreciated for its haunting music and sweet vocals. In my opinion, Water Down the Ganges is the best song on the album. Probably the only reason that an 11+ minute song would even make a compilation like this. It's a song you don't get tired of listening to and contributes heavily to the lounge theme.



If you've already listened to Music From the Tea Lands, this is the Electronica version, with deeper bass, synthesized music, and cool vocals.



Well done, Putumayo!"

Solid Indian Trip Hop

KC | Northern CA | 02/25/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"All the tracks are Indian flavored so while it's Asia, it's a pretty narrow focus.



It's not really 'loungey' in the correct dance sense, it's more trip hop - at best, you might call these tracks mid-tempo chill but a more accurate description is trip hop.



Unlike some other discs masquerading New Age as Trip Hop, these are all fine tracks with solid musicianship and are real trip hop tracks.



Other than KOYAL which is a flat out spooky track (and the only actual chill/lounge dance track) - the others all blend into each other - nothing really wrong with consistency but nothing else really outstanding."

Eastern Grooves for Chilling Out

Zekeriyah | Chicago, IL | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another stellar release from Putumayo, this CD focuses on ambient/lounge music from Asian artists. The whole CD works as a wonderful compilation. As others have said, theres not a single track to skip over. Many of the songs are completely new, and have never been released in North America until now.



Needless to say, the strongest influences on this CD come from the Indian subcontinent. Nitin Sawhney's "Koyal" has a mellow Bollywood sound, complete with flutes and female vocals. Deepak Chopra and Biddu Orchestra both showcase South Asian percussion, while sitars are featured in Nataraj XT's "Space In...". And then theres "Water Down the Ganges", collaberation between Prem Joshua and Manish Vyas that runs for more than 10 minutes! But theres also other stuff too. "Campuhan" by Blue Asia and "Angels of the Island" by Bali Lounge draw upon the rhythmic music of Indonesia. Ancient Future weave together a lively blend of Indian and Chinese sounds. And the Yoshida Brothers mix ambient sounds with traditional Japanese instruments on "Fukaki Umi no Kanata". The final track, "Dreams of Happiness" by XCultures, draws upon and reflects all the same influences as the others and is a perfect ending to the CD. It'll stay with you long after going off.



This is an incredible CD, whether your dancing to it, driving out someplace late at night, or just chilling at home. You'll get hooked on this CD after the first song. Especially, as others have already pointed out, if you liked Putumayo's other CD "Music from Tea Lands". Like that CD, this compilation showcases artists from across the Asian continent, but in this case there is a more ambient/electronica feel to the songs. Nonetheless, the two CDs complement one another perfectly. Indeed, the band Ancient Future is featured on both CDs. If you liked one, then you'll certainly like the other. So do yourself a favor and go out and buy this CD. Your ears will thank you later."