Product Description

There has long been a cultural exchange between the East and the West. Marco Polo and the Silk and Spice trading routes began the process that, over time, has led to the creation of new musical styles. Putumayo presents examples of this ongoing musical interaction with the release of Asian Lounge. Travel from London to Bombay, Bali to Tokyo with this compilation of innovative Asian fusions, the sixth in Putumayo's successful Lounge series.More than half the tracks on Asian Lounge have never been released in North America, paving a path for those who like to stay connected with ever-evolving music scenes. Japanese stars, the Yoshida Brothers kick off the collection with "Fukaki Umi No Kanata" (Beyond the Deep Sea). The brothers have achieved fame in Japan by reviving the popularity of the tsugaru-shamisen, the 16th century instrument they've mastered and incorporated into their modern sound.A revival of another kind brings us Nitin Sawhney's "Koyal" (Songbird), a song he composed for the soundtrack of a recently restored silent Indian film. Sawhney is perhaps the best-known musician featured on Asian Lounge. As an artist of Indian heritage currently living in the UK, Sawhney's eclectic musical offerings incorporate everything from drum and bass to classical Indian music, making him a leading figure in Britain's "Asian Underground".Also pulling from the rich heritage of Indian music is the German artist Prem Joshua, whose "Funky Guru" blends Sufi chants, Sanskrit poetry and Indian folk music with Western electronica. Joshua has become a music star in India and frequently records with noted Indian musician Manish Vyas. Their successful collaborations include "Water Down the Ganges," the 11-minute opus.

Track Listing

1. Beyond the Deep Sea (Fukaku Umi No Kanata) (Yoshida Brothers) - Yoshida Brothers
2. Koyal (Songbird) (Nitin Sawhney) - Nitin Sawhey
3. Ja Nam (Ancient Future) - Ancient Future
4. Oceans of Ecstasy (Deepak Chopra) - Deepak Chopra
5. Campuynan (Blue Asia featuring Yoichi Ikeda) - Blue Asia
6. Angels of the Island (Bali Lounge) - Bali Lounge
7. Space In... (Nataraj XT) - Nataraj XT
8. Funky Guru (Prem Joshua) - Prem Joshua
9. Eastern Journey (Biddu Orchestra) - Biddu Orchestra
10. Water Down the Ganges (Prem Joshua & Manish Vyas) - Prem Joshua & Manish Vyas
11. Dreams of Happiness (Xcultures) - XCultures

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59599 in Music
• Released on: 2005-11-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds