VARIOUS ARTISTS
The Best of Lounge Music (Atoll Music)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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This two disc set from the French label Atoll Music collects 30 smooth grooves from around the world under a heading that might be deceptive to those that still think of lounge music as Martin Denny exotica or the swing pop of the fifties and sixties. Lounge has expanded its horizons considerably, and these cuts, from locales including Greece, Turkey, Spain, France, Egypt and beyond, provide a fine sampler of the current scene. Even the most avid follower of the genre is likely to be introduced to something new, and the newcomer will invariably discover something wonderful. If you can't afford international travel this summer, you can still treat yourself to a worldwide musical trip with this exceptional set.

Track Lists:

Disc One: Bliss/Kissing * Bonga/Mona Ki Ngi Xica * Aida Pekkan/Bir Gunah Gibi * Cesaria Evora/Carnaval De Sao Vicente * Manuel Franio/Sol Por Tu Amor * Los Ninos De Sara/Mizai * Wanda Sa & Celia Vaz/Agua De Beber * Grand Tourism/Les Courants D'Air * MC Sultan/Josaine * Soneros De Verdad/A Buena Vista * Suba/Felicidade * Suzy/La Blanka Ninya * Metin Arolat/Elveda * Hossam Ramzy/Aziza * Alabina/Shir Ha'Keshet (The Rainbow Song)

Disc Two: Deepak Chopra/Desire * Randy Crawford/Cajun Moon * Carlos Campos & Ravin/Nirvana Lounge * Ramasutra/The Story Of O * Emmanuel Santaromana/Chinese Bubbles * Omar Faruk Tekbilek/I Love You * Nino/ Amor Amor * Bia Mestriner/O Barquinho * Latif El Idrissi/Yah Rayah * Rhany Dik/Alila * Zehava/Ben Melech Amiti (A Real King) * Istar/Horchat Hai Calyptus * Nicos/Secret Love * Pamela/San Vathia Pligi (Like Deep Wound) * Sven Van Hees/Serrano Anthem (Amor/amor)

© 2002 - Shaun Dale