Well-known DJ Ravin launched the latest in his series of Buddha Bar albums at the first “W Happening” to take place in the Crystal Lounge of the newly opened hotel last night. At the event organised by Qatarsis, a company which aims to bring “world class events and premieres” to Qatar, Ravin played a set to a crowd of VIPs late into the evening, performing extracts from the album, as well as other music. Ravin, the Paris-based Buddha Bar resident DJ, told Gulf Times it was his first visit to Qatar, although he has played in other Gulf countries in the past, and added judging by what he has seen so far, he would “very much like to return in the future.” Ravin’s repertoire is a fusion of world and electronic music, which he describes as “unique,” and in his own words, the latest release is “a continuation of the journey and the combination of ethnic and electronic music.” “The only thing I look for when choosing other artists is that they are unique,” he said, adding “I am also very interested in traditional music, and artists producing modern songs that are influenced by their roots.” The DJ explained that the main inspiration behind his music is travel, and that he spends much of his time moving around the world, meeting artists and learning about new music which he then remixes for his albums. Although he occasionally uses artists who have achieved some degree of fame, he prefers to work with those who are basically unknown, so he can remix their music the way he wants and surprise people with music they have never heard before. He said his favourite places to find new music include Turkey, Greece and Brazil, but his albums have included a “beautiful bouquet of music,” from all over the world. The eleventh album in the Buddha Bar series offers both “chillout, lounge music,” as well as “club-based house music” on the first and second CDs respectively, he said. Ravin described the venue at the W Hotel as “beautiful,” and said the atmosphere and design of the Crystal Lounge was a perfect match for his music. “I like to present all kinds of mixtures of music, and to give people emotions and a unique style,” he said, adding “I am not just one style – I like to surprise people.” Last night event certainly surprised people, as Ravin is one of the world’s best known DJs and has been resident at the Paris Buddha Bar since 1996. His choice of Doha as the venue to launch his latest album will be seen as a sign of the city’s continued emergence on the international music scene. Qatarsis producer Frank Merenda promised: “There will definitely be more similar top quality events and premieres in Qatar in the future.” http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=278163&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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