Buddha Bar III

Buddha Bar III

DJ Ravin takes the wheel behind <I>Buddha Bar III</I>, the namesake compilation from Paris's answer to Studio 54. Ravin forgoes the Dinner/Party division that Claude Challe opted for on previous installments of the series, and instead casts <I>Dream</I> versus <I>Joy</I> on this two-disc set. <I>Dream</I>, leaning on the traditional (syrupy Greek strings, Japanese bamboo flutes, Persian harmonists) and New Age Enigma/Deep Forest side of things (Oliver Shanti & Friends, Vangelis engineer Frederick Rousseau) is frankly too restless to be truly dreamy. The frenzied run through so many styles, seemingly solely for the sake of diversity alone, ultimately feels about as sincerely global as a mad dash through Disney's Epcot Center. The second CD in the set, <I>Joy</I>, pays a tad more attention to a general vibe, resulting in a much better overall effect. Rhythm rules the day here, from tabla-riffic entries by Mercury Prize winner Talvin Singh and fellow Outcastes Badmarsh & Shri to seven-drum troupe Kodo. And don't forget Ekova's <I>Starlight in Daden</I>. Nothing that features Deirdre Dubois's glorious voice can be all that bad. <I>--Bob Michaels</I>