Tantra is a restaurant and lounge in Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood. With its high-class, award-winning fusion cuisine, lush, colorful, and perfectly appointed décor, and Hollywood cachet, Tantra is the kind of place that has to inflate the price of its elaborate martinis just to clear its operating costs. While the lounge features a rotating lineup of local DJs, the eclectic mix is spiced heavily with Indian textures that suit the incense-flavored air and mottled surroundings of Tantra's elaborate lounge area. This compilation CD is designed to deliver the same feeling, even if you aren't clutching one of the establishment's signature "Tantrini" cocktails. Tantra Lounge features ambient and downtempo lounge music appointed with samples of Indian instrumentation (sitar, tabla) and snippets of Hindi vocals, and includes tracks from notables such as Banco de Gaia and Transglobal Underground. While nothing on this collection is a standout, that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the album definitely succeeds as a cohesive mood-maker. After all, Tantra the lounge isn't about dancing so much as it's a location to be seen, a spot to sip aphrodisiacs and revel in the expensively produced surroundings. The collection effectively replicates that feel with its upscale sound. It isn't adventurous, but it'll definitely help you get your groove back. Nitin Sawhney's "Sunset" is a standout, weaving a scratchy traditional vocal sample and tabla backbeat into smooth, London-style urban soul. Govinda's "Static Aparition" is notable as well, with its sharp percussion, analog-style synth washes, and hip-hop-inspired programming. The song rehashes many of the clichés that are typical of worldbeat chill music; however, no one at your next "Tantrini" party will notice, as Tantra Lounge's weaker moments will be lost under the pleasant din of their conversation. Just make sure you charge each guest an exotic $7 per drink. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide