Amazon.co.uk Review
Karma Beats follows the same ethnic bent as its predecessors
Buddha Beats and
Krishna Beats. Few chillout compilations can claim to be quite as well travelled as this 2-CD selection and volume three,
Karma, distinguishes itself from the raft of chillout/comedown offerings by rounding-up relaxation material with a far-flung feel. CD1 ("Joy") comprises tracks from relatively obscure ethnic inspired artists, totally obscure ethnic inspired artists and Craig Armstrong--whose menacing "Rise" was used in a Citroen ad and isn't even slightly ethnic. Apart from Armstrong's resolutely European sound, sassy Latin sambas (Da Lata's "Pra Manha", Buscemi's "Ramiro's Theme") and Anglo-Indian tabla/sitar/synth/trip-hop concoctions prevail--or both in the case of Christophe Goze's "Mañana". It's an endearing, if slightly chaotic selection. Less imaginative, but easier to digest, CD2 ("Tranquillity"), eases through more familiar down-tempo territory with a Parisian tango from
Gotan Project and the gorgeous loungey sway of Kinobe's "Slip Into Something More Comfortable"- star of Kronenbourg's 1664 TV ad. Of the two, the second CD is better equipped to soothe, but both have an abundance of curiosities that'll intrigue and provide hours of "guess the continent" entertainment. --
Dan Gennoe