Buddha Bar Volume 18 (2016) – Volume XVIII
Buddha Bar Volume 18, officially titled Buddha Bar XVIII, is the eighteenth installment in the acclaimed Buddha Bar compilation series, released in 2016 on George V Records. Mixed by longtime resident DJs DJ Ravin and DJ Sam Popat, this 2‑CD compilation continues the series’ tradition of blending lounge, world fusion, chill‑out, and electronic beats into a rich, global music experience. It was released in May 2016, coinciding with the 20‑year history of Buddha‑Bar Paris and capturing both emotional depth and energetic world rhythms.
🎧 Album Basics & Concept
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Title: Buddha Bar Volume XVIII (Volume 18)
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Released: 2016 (May 13)
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Label: George V Records (Chall’o Music / Wagram)
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Format: 2×CD / Digital Album
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Mixed by: DJ Ravin (CD1) & DJ Sam Popat (CD2)
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Genre: Lounge • Chillout • World Fusion • Downtempo • Electronic
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Tracks: ~30 total across both discs
The album celebrates Buddha‑Bar’s 20th anniversary spirit — mixing timeless lounge vibes with fresh global sounds. DJ Ravin leads the first CD with a soulful, emotionally charged selection, while DJ Sam Popat takes the second CD into electro‑ethnic rhythms and world‑fusion territory, offering a dynamic contrast over two discs.
🌍 Musical Style & Sound
Buddha Bar Volume 18 reflects the signature fusion style the series is known for — smooth and sophisticated yet universally influenced:
🎶 Global Textures: Influences drawn from Middle Eastern, African, Mediterranean, and South Asian sounds, woven into downtempo and lounge frameworks.
🎛️ Chillout & Lounge Grooves: Seamless blending of ambient textures, ethereal vocals, and delicate percussion that set a relaxed mood.
🔥 Electronic & World Fusion: Upbeat, rhythmic tracks on CD2 bring a club‑influenced world fusion energy with subtle beats and creative production touches.
🌐 Remixes & Exclusives: Exclusive mixes and remixes created for the compilation, giving familiar songs a fresh lounge feel.
Together, the two discs provide a journey from soulful, slow burns to energetic groove and deep rhythms suitable for both lounge settings and personal chillout playlists.
📀 Disc 1 – Soulful & Ethnic Lounge (Ravin)
CD1 opens with emotion‑rich selections that blend melodic beauty with world‑centric influences. Typical tracks include:
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Ambray – “Azure” – A smooth, melodic opener with ambient warmth.
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Lena Kaufman – “Blessed Is Who Realized Himself (Thor Deep Trip Vocal)” – A mystical, vocal‑infused track blending spiritual tones with lounge beats.
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Thomas Blondet feat. Carol C – “Un Amor” – Romantic world fusion with gentle rhythm.
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55 Cancri E – “Vaggvisa” – Melodic ambient with soothing textures.
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Dom La Nena – “Menina Dos Olhos Azuis (Piers Faccini Remix)” – Sensitive vocal remix with intimate feel.
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Angel Tears & Sagi Ohayon – “Ya Mamma” – Dreamy, emotionally charged lounge.
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Kid Moxie – “Shadow Heart (HP Hoeger & Rusty Egan Remix)” – Atmospheric and introspective.
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Bombay Dub Orchestra – “Egypt By Air (Earthrise SoundSystem Remix)” – A standout world‑fusion remix full of cinematic ambiance.
This disc is ideal for sunset lounges, relaxed background music, or contemplative listening, offering both beauty and cultural depth.
🎛️ Disc 2 – Groove & World Fusion (Sam Popat)
CD2 picks up with groovier, world‑fusion and club‑influenced tracks:
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Dreamers Inc & Billy Esteban – “Aladdin’s Wish” – A rhythmic, mood‑setting track.
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Andre Rizo feat. Niyaz – “Tamana” – Deep world fusion with vocal richness.
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Dole & Kom – “Away” – Downtempo with global influence.
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Sam Popat – “Puga Land (Original Mix)” – Signature world groove by Sam Popat himself.
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Shaman & Sam Popat – “Karma Kandara” – Deep rhythmic exploration.
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Fabrice Dayan – “La Maza (Original Mix)” – A fusion track with energetic bounce.
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SIS – “Sombra India (Eduardo Castillo Remix)” – Exotic electronic world fusion.
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Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra – “Too Much Information (Laolu Remix Edit)” – Afrobeat‑inspired groove.
Disc 2’s emphasis on rhythm and groove makes it perfect for late‑night lounges, chill parties, and world groove playlists.
🎶 Highlights & Notable Tracks
💠 Egypt By Air (Earthrise SoundSystem Remix) – Bombay Dub Orchestra
One of the standout tracks, combining cinematic world fusion with lush electronic layering, capturing the spirit of travel and sonic exploration.
💫 Menina Dos Olhos Azuis (Piers Faccini Remix) – Dom La Nena
A beautiful emotional track blending folk vocals with ambient texture, perfect for relaxed listening.
🔊 Too Much Information (Laolu Remix Edit) – Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra
A rhythmic Afro‑fusion selection that adds energy and global dance flavor to the mix.
These tracks reflect the diverse influences — from intimate lull to rhythmic groove — that make Volume XVIII engaging and varied.
🌍 Themes & Listening Context
Buddha Bar Volume 18 works beautifully in a range of listening environments:
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Upscale lounges and bars
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Chillout and relaxed playlists
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Background music for dinner or social gatherings
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Meditative or contemplative personal listening
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Playlists inspired by global travel and cultural fusion
The deliberate contrast between the emotional, chill soundscape of CD1 and the dynamic world‑fusion of CD2 gives the album both mood and movement — a hallmark of the Buddha Bar compilation vision.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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Buddha Bar Volume 18 was created by DJ Ravin and DJ Sam Popat, both long‑time residents of Buddha‑Bar Paris and influential figures in the lounge music scene.
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The album was released as part of a spring tradition for Buddha‑Bar, which often debuts a new volume around this season each year.
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The compilation features exclusive remixes by artists such as Fabrice Dayan, Dreamers Inc, and Dole & Kom — produced specifically for this release.
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The split between Ravin’s emotionally driven CD1 and Sam Popat’s energetic CD2 gives listeners two distinct moods within one volume — a format common to many Buddha Bar releases.
📈 Series Context & Legacy
The Buddha Bar compilation series began in 1999 and has grown into a hallmark of lounge and world fusion music culture, blending ethnic traditions with chillout and electronic sensibilities. Volume XVIII sits between Volume XVII (2015) and Volume XIX (2017), showcasing how the series evolves while staying true to its holistic, cosmopolitan identity.
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