Various - Café Del Mar - Volumen Cuatro

Year Released: 1997

Genre: Downtempo, Ambient, Lounge, Chillout, Electronic

Description:

Café del Mar - Volumen Cuatro is the fourth compilation album in the iconic series curated by legendary resident DJ José Padilla. Released in August 1997, it followed the success of the first three volumes and further cemented the "Café del Mar sound"—a genre that was quickly becoming a global phenomenon. The series, named after the famous sunset-facing bar in Ibiza, is a collection of tracks specifically chosen to evoke the peaceful, reflective mood of watching the sunset over the Balearic Sea.

The album's sound is a masterful blend of ambient, downtempo, and chillout music, with influences drawn from electronic, jazz, and world music. Padilla’s skill lies in his ability to create a seamless journey with the tracks, moving from mellow and introspective pieces to more rhythmic and soulful grooves. The compilation is not about a single artist but about a unified atmosphere. It features a diverse mix of artists, many of whom were relatively unknown at the time but gained a new audience through their inclusion on the album.

Volumen Cuatro is a standout in the series. It features the ethereal "Offshore (Ambient Mix)" by Chicane and the soulful "Troubled Girl (Spanish Version)" by Karen Ramirez, which became a staple of the chillout genre. The album also features contributions from artists like Fila Brazillia and John Martyn, showcasing Padilla's eclectic taste. As with the entire series, the album's success was not just about the music itself but also about the lifestyle and feeling it represented: a sense of escape, tranquility, and a sophisticated, sun-drenched European cool. The album solidified the Café del Mar brand and helped to popularize the genre on a global scale, making it a favorite for late-night lounges and a soundtrack for laid-back moments around the world