Indian Summer [2002]

The label arm of U.K. mecca Ministry of Sound unquestionably went for the downtempo market with great intensity during 2002, releasing a never-ending armada of titles all designed with different aspects of "chillout" in mind. Focusing on downtempo music with a Middle Eastern influence, Indian Summer was the first one off the assembly line. And while Indian Summer focuses on that particular style, it strays off into other territories as well, inviting well-respected German troupe Jazzanova and New York deep house legend Joe Claussell to bring their unique interpretations of Latin-influenced soul to the mix. It's not as well compiled as some of the other collections that came out later that year, but for casual listeners this is an excellent manual and sufficient blueprint into the world of chillout/downtempo music.