Buddha Bar V

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.

I was very pleased when I completed spinning both discs of this compilation. It was refreshing to listen to an "authentic mix" of South-Middle Eastern music. The previous Buddha Bars would rate about 6/10 with this one being 9.5/10. The previous recordings were a bit too electronic and didn't properly convey what this genre of music should convey. Although there are still a few songs in this compilation that I would have omitted, it still is superior to its predecessors and should be given serious consideration if you are looking for this type of music.

i disagree with the reviewers who have branded this compilation as unoriginal and not memorable. they have perhaps not listened to the first five songs on CD1, which in my opinion make the purchase of this album well worth it on their own. and there are some other good tracks sprinkled here and there throughout both discs; in fact i would argue disc one is very strong throughout.disc two is perhaps found wanting in comparison to buddha bar IV, but it's hard to blame David Visan for running out of some ideas after putting out 2 disc sets in successive years. but let me get back to the first five tracks on the first disc.starting with David Visan's own Nie Kantshaietsa, the listener is transported into what i picture as a natural reserve, hearing a woman telling a story about.. something :) enter a flamenco guitar, a piano softly in the background, and the voice of the woman talking about something that i can only describe as fascinatingly unintelligeble :Pit is really all quite captivating, cheesy as it may sound. this really is one of the best opening tracks on any buddha bar in my opinion, and fans of the series will know there have been many many a great one.the second track by Mikis Theodorakis is sort of grandiose, shorter track, that reminds me a bit of his fellow countryman, Vangelis. it too has oriental flavor however and makes a great lead in to the best song i have ever heard on any buddha bar cd (!!!!!) and that is no small honor..entitled 'Road,' track 3 is a collaboration among a few different artists, and the result is just stunning. the singer's voice is quiet, enchanting, seductive, and the music is there to match it; deep, resonant bass, catchy beat, unobtrusive background synths and sitar, and occasional, well placed trumpet. she sings both in english and some foreign, presumably eastern tongue that sounds delicious to my ears. not since Oliver Shanti's 'sacral nirvana' has a buddha bar track gripped me as this one has.. it is magnificent.track 4 by trumpet thing does not quite hold the same standard as 'road,' but it is a worthy follow up. slightly over-cheesy on the vocals, the production is nevertheless good, and the bassline is well appreciable on a good sound system.this review is getting long so i will wrap it up with a few additional comments about the rest of the album. this does not live up to the overall high standards of volumes I and III, but considering how soon it followed the release of IV, much worse could have been expected. and in 'road' it contains on of the all time greats of buddha bar. CD2 is not all bad either. the emma shapplin track is quite nice, as well as the Despina Vandi track, and David's reconstruction of Liszt in 'Czardas' is quite pleasing.4 stars for moments of brilliance and a job well enough done despite precious little time to do it.

This album does not dissapoint. I love to break these albums out when i chill after a long day at work or when i get tired of the music i hear on the radio. These are great albums to make love to as well. Your partner will always remember these albums and the experience they enhance.

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.

Discs were in excellent conditions; the music ; ok..not what I expected from buddha bar

Excellent, I loved it. Thank you!!

Great Album and compilation, thanks David Visan for contributing on the best music for Buddha Bar Series, I really miss you in charge.