Buddha Bar Volume 16 (2014) — A Global Lounge, Chill‑Out, and World Fusion Masterpiece
Released in 2014 (often found reissued in 2017), Buddha Bar Volume 16 — also referred to as Buddha Bar XVI — marks another compelling entry in the iconic Buddha Bar compilation series curated by Claude Challe, David Visan, and DJ Ravin. This edition continues the long‑running tradition of blending world music, ethno‑lounge, chilled beats, and modern electronic production into a sophisticated and immersive listening experience that transports listeners through exotic soundscapes.
As part of a series that began in 1999, Buddha Bar Volume 16 retains the signature global rhythm fusion that has made the brand a staple of lounge culture worldwide.
Series Background
The Buddha Bar series was born from the Buddha‑Bar lounge and restaurant concept in Paris, created by Claude Challe (music director) and Raymond Visan (founder). The compilations, released under George V Records, aim to capture the ambiance of global lounges and fuse world music with chill‑out and electronic elements, creating a soundtrack for relaxation, exploration, and cosmopolitan nightlife.
By the time Volume 16 arrived, Buddha Bar had become a global music phenomenon, regularly influencing the lounge, world, and ambient chill‑out genres.
Musical Style and Sound
Buddha Bar Volume 16 blends a variety of musical colors and cultural influences, featuring:
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Ethno‑lounge and ambient electronic beats
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Traditional instruments like tablas, sitar, darbuka, flute, and ethnic percussion
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Deep basslines, downtempo grooves, and mystical melodies
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Vocal textures and chants sampled or remixed for atmosphere
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Smooth DJ‑style mixing that keeps the album flowing like a continuous set
The music is designed for lounges, chill‑out rooms, yoga and meditation spaces, spa environments, and relaxed home listening — all while fostering a cultural journey through sound.
Tracklist Overview
Buddha Bar Volume 16 appears as a 2‑CD set featuring a wide range of international artists and deep chill tracks.
Disc 1 (Charango):
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Lovers in Paris — Jacob Gurevitsch
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Tamazight — Soul Avenue
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Who We Are — Ambray
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Nowruz — Thor
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Carry You Home (Thor & Ravin Rebirth Remix) — Ganga
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Zaprosi U Sni — Max Chorny
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Aman Aman — Cambis & Florzinho
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Medina Blues — Sigh
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Promise — Michael E.
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Let the Music Do The Talking — Laidback
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Deep Inside — Akshin Alizadeh
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The Hunt (The Hunt 2013) — Niyaz
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Shir — Angel Tears
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Midnight Caravan — Stan Kolev & Matan Caspi
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Opaque (Transparent Remix) — Nacho Sotomayor
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Baba — Dreamers Inc & Makis Ablianitis
Disc 2 (Bombo):
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Deny (Holmes Price Remix) — Yasmine Hamdan
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La Calatrava — Parov Stelar Trio
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Coupe Decale (Drumspyder Remix) — Adham Shaikh
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Hidden — Mercan Dede
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Far from Here (Drumspyder Remix) — Desert Dwellers
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Damer I Pels (Deep Vocal Club Mix) — Hinano
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La Paloma — Wareika
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Play the Guitar — Anthony Romeno feat. Lady Vale
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If You Go Away — Rebeat feat. Shirley Bassey
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Upon Burning Skies — Sable Sheep
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Walking With A Ghost (Alceen Remix) — Kadebostany
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No Man’s Land — Riva Starr feat. Carmen Consoli
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Dualis — Serdar Ayyildiz
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Albi Hasses Fik (Club Mix) — Elissa
(This tracklist reflects the most commonly circulated version of the compilation.)
Standout Tracks
“Lovers in Paris” — Jacob Gurevitsch
A chilled, romantic opener with lush melodies, setting the tone for a global mood of longing and atmosphere.
“Tamazight” — Soul Avenue
Infused with North African rhythms and hypnotic percussion, this track bridges ethnic roots with lounge sophistication.
“Deny (Holmes Price Remix)” — Yasmine Hamdan
A standout vocal track with hauntingly beautiful Middle Eastern‑inspired vocals, perfect for late‑night listening.
“La Calatrava” — Parov Stelar Trio
Funky and jazzy, this adds a Jazztronica twist to the chillout mix.
Lyrical & Thematic Elements
While many Buddha Bar tracks are instrumental or feature sampled vocals, the themes throughout Volume 16 revolve around:
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Global cultural fusion (blending musical traditions from various regions)
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Relaxation and ambient atmosphere
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A musical representation of travel and reflection
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Mystical and introspective moodscapes
This creative fusion places Buddha Bar Volume 16 among the quintessential chill‑out and lounge compilations of its era.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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DJ Ravin, one of the contributors to Volume 16, has been a recurring figure in the Buddha Bar series, blending world sounds with electronic chill beats.
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The album was originally released around 2014, but many editions are labeled with a later date (e.g., 2017).
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Some tracks on Volume 16 are remixes exclusive to the compilation, making this edition unique among collectors.
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Artists range from traditional world fusion producers to contemporary electronic artists, creating a diverse sonic palette.
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The series has helped bring ethno‑lounge and chill‑out music into mainstream appreciation beyond the Paris lounge scene.
Commercial Performance and Cultural Impact
Buddha Bar Volume 16 contributed to the ongoing global popularity of the Buddha Bar series, particularly in Europe and Asia. These compilations are known for charting in world music and lounge categories and often serve as soundtracks to upscale restaurants, lounges, spas, and hotel environments.
The Buddha Bar brand has been credited with popularizing world fusion and chill‑out music internationally, influencing a generation of DJs and producers in the lounge and electronic music scene.
Most Famous Tracks from Buddha Bar Volume 16
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Lovers in Paris — Jacob Gurevitsch
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Tamazight — Soul Avenue
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Deny (Holmes Price Remix) — Yasmine Hamdan
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La Calatrava — Parov Stelar Trio
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Baba — Dreamers Inc & Makis Ablianitis
These tracks exemplify the global, relaxed, and eclectic vibe that defines Buddha Bar Volume 16.
Buddha Bar Timeline (Selected Volumes)
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Buddha Bar Volume 1 (1999) — The original ethno‑lounge launch
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Buddha Bar Volume 5 (2003)
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Buddha Bar Volume 9 (2007)
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Buddha Bar Volume 10 (2008)
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Buddha Bar Volume 13 (2011)
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Buddha Bar Volume 14 (2012)
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Buddha Bar Volume 16 (2014)
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Buddha Bar Volume 20 (2018)
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Later volumes continue annually into the 2020s
Keywords
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