Search - Ministry & More Dance Offer :: Karma Collection

Never Mind The Buddahs - this is the real deal

joczan@hotmail.com | Milan, Italy | 02/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the plethora of "Buddha Bar" lounge / supper club albums in the racks at silly import prices; it was only a matter of time until club compilation giants Ministry Of Sound waded in for a piece of the action. Happily, on this occasion, bigger definitely means better. This is by far the best album of it's kind in the marketplace, especially if you (like I) have found the Claude Challe albums to be all style and no content. 'Karma Collection' kicks off (predictably) with Jakatta's current cover hit of 'Ever So Lonely', and then hits you with a lovely sequence of Dave Pike's classic 'Mathar' (currently on the Jamie Oliver ad), Nitin Sawhney's sublime 'Sunset' and into Stereo MC's, Thievery Corporation and Massive Attack's mix of 'Mustt Mustt'. Special spotter points for including the snake song from 'The Jungle Book' sung by Susheela Raman, and for finding 90's Indie stars Ride's most cosmic moment in 'Rolling Thunder'. It then goes a bit 'sonic cathedral' with Marta Sebestyn, Moby and the Aled Jones On Ecstacy vibe of Dusted, before riding out with mellow masters Zero 7. Disc 2 is a bit deeper, with the odd Celtic moment thrown in (Clannad repositioned as veteran chill out masters - whatever next?); and has some sweet simple pleasures with Grant Lee Phillips and Horace Andy on 1 Giant Leap's 'Racing Away' and Bjork's barely there ethereal presence on 'Harm Of Will'. All this comes in a lovely red strokey tactile box, with pretty gold embossed letters. Will definitely look good on that Heal's coffee table. In conclusion, if you are a real fan of global beats, chances are you've probably got a lot of these tunes already, possibly on other comps. However, if you don't want to pay £30 for a French import; and you just want to relax to some sensual and seductive sounds from around our planet, or you are looking to turn on a friend to something which is definitely fresher and cooler than Another Bloody Chillout CD, shell out now amigos!"

Chillout with an Eastern Twist

The Groove | Boston, MA | 07/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Given the proliferation of chillout albums, it can be hard to distinguish one from the other. The venerable dance label Ministry of Sound has already branched out into the chillout arena, but on "Karma Collection," they've taken the genre to another level by releasing an album of downtempo gems and Eastern-influenced tracks. The end result is one seamless groove that contains some of the most traffic-stoppingly beautiful selections I have heard. The usual guests on chillout albums appear (Thievery Corporation, Moby, Stereo MC's), but the real standouts are selections from Clannad, Susheela Raman, Fug, and the ever-etheral touches of Dead Can Dance. The entire collection clocks in at 2.5 hours, and not once did I hit the "skip" button on my CD player. This is ideal music for dinner, working at your computer, or a Sunday afternoon brunch. As with all imports, the price on this one is steep. But the reality is this: if you want quality, you're gonna have to pay. Of course, you can take the cheap route and get the second-rate domestic compilations, but you're only cheating yourself. "Karma Collection" is required listening for all chillout gurus and beginners alike. Although I nearly cracked my wallet to get this, it's worth every dime."

Licensing muscle + worldbeat + diverse tracks

Richard Diaz | 07/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not one to miss a trend, Ministry of Sound has astutely thrown their hat into the worldbeat dance ring, the hallmark sound for dozens of swanky French bars and massage therapists. MoS dubs it spiritually enlightening chillout, a succinct description. And while one could just say their A&R exec sent out a memo to round up three dozen or so popular ethnic-themed tracks for mass consumption...The Karma Collection works for the simple reason that the Ministry knows their audience is the dance massive, and that audience wants an understandable, accessible entry into the ethnic sound. Much of these tunes are unabashedly floor friendly with a "worldly" instrument thrown in, a test of how much sitar you can sit through. Jakata's "So Lonely" is straight up charming psychedelic pop, dittos "Dave Pike's "Mathar." The lilting cabaret of Susheela Raman's "Trust In Me" beguiles, while Badmarsh & Shri's dreamy sunset ode "Sajanna" and Blue States's harp-filled folktronic remix of "Papua New Guinea" finally receives due recognition. This doesn't even include other hits by Nitin Sawhney, Dusted, and Zero 7. Disc 2's where they crank the global dial, world chill far removed from the dance realm. There's mandatory Talvin Singh with a flute & breaks "Light," some floating symphonies courtesy of Ghostland and Craig Armstrong (the breathtaking "Weather Storm"), and for good measure some Celtic gospel courtesy via Clannad's 1985 track "Caislean Oir." In fact, The Karma Collection has very few bumps in the road, barring the odd chanting ditty ("Mustt Mustt") or the spiritual sludge of Deepak Chopra's duff "Desire." Each disc has a completely different audience in mind, but the undeniable licensing muscle of Ministry of Sound insure at least one of these sets will connect with the listener."