AirFunk Lounge Series Vol. 1 by Maxime dB
AirFunk Lounge Series Vol. 1, a very special project that blends deep musical curation with a personal touch. This 18-track compilation brings together 20 international artists from diverse musical universes and has been carefully mixed into a smooth, cinematic listening journey. It’s an invitation to take a breath, unplug, and let the music carry you.
The inspiration for this release goes way back to my teenage years when I would listen endlessly to compilations like Buddha Bar, Hôtel Costes, and Café del Mar. Those compilations had this magical ability to transport you and create a journey. That same spirit of warmth, sensuality, and travel is exactly what I wanted to capture with this AirFunk lounge edition.
With AirFunk Lounge Series Vol. 1, I wanted to honor that spirit while bringing my own contemporary vision to it, something that speaks both to the nostalgia of those timeless compilations and to today's sonic landscape.
Guided by the Masters…
A huge source of inspiration for me while creating this compilation was Claude Challe. His work on the Buddha Bar series shaped my understanding of how music can tell stories without words. Claude Challe is more than a DJ, he is a visionary. Someone who blended cultures, emotions, and ambiences into seamless, cinematic journeys. l've always admired his ability to create spaces of warmth, sensuality, and connection through sound.
An inspiring figure I recently met… Marco Attali is a French musician and composer with a fascinating journey. He collaborated with many artists and explored styles ranging from chanson to electronic and lounge music. In the 1980s, he released cult tracks like La Relève du Matin.
What struck me most was his attention to sound the way he crafts atmospheres, textures, and emotions with such subtlety and irony. He contributes the beautiful track “Smoothie Cocktail” on the compilation.
We’re also preparing to reissue some of Marco’s work on AirFunk, celebrating his legacy and inviting a new generation to rediscover his universe through a contemporary lens.
Another key inspiration for this project is Yoshinori Sunahara and his timeless album Lovebeat. His music uniquely blends electronic precision with emotional depth, futuristic yet nostalgic. Lovebeat embodies that delicate balance between rhythm and stillness, a sonic space where ambient textures and cinematic grooves meet. That spirit deeply shaped the compilation.
From ambient jazz to downtempo, trip hop grooves and dreamy textures, each track builds a narrative. You’ll hear contributions from artists like Sweely, Amine Laje, Janeret, Paul Cut, Felipe Valenzuela & Argenis Brito, Adam Collins, Barem, Penelope and more…all coming from different generations and sonic backgrounds yet perfectly aligned in mood and intention.
Tracklist
01 PAUL CUT - INTRO
02 AMINE LAJE - QUIET PLACES
03 SWEELY - AIRFRANCE
04 MAXIME DB & MICKAËL BAKER - COSMIC TIMELESSNESS
05 JANERET - CRUISIN
06 VELVET VELOUR - UH HUH
07 MARCO ATTALI - SMOOTHIE COCKTAIL
08 BRIAN SNR - MY PROZAC
09 FAER - IMPARABLE
10 PAUL CUT - DERANGED
11 BAREM - AMPLITUHEDRON
12 PENELOPE - FORWARD MOVEMENT
13 HOSTOM - BEYOND THE APEX
14 ALINE BROOKLYN - ASKO
15 ADAM COLLINS - I <3 U BAE
16 MARKUS SOMMER - THE LIFE OF ROCCA
17 GREG PAULUS - SOMETIMES IT’S ABOUT US
18 GHOST FROM THE OCEAN - WHEN WE SWAM TOGETHER
It’s been a big honor to see the project featured on FIP Radio, which means a lot to me. FIP’s curation has always been top-tier, and having them support this compilation is truly special.
To reflect that feeling visually, I designed the cover myself using AI tools, pushing for something soft, surreal, and a little otherworldly like the music itself.
The digital version is available now on Bandcamp, and a limited triple vinyl (3×12") is available now through Yoyaku and more. It’s been carefully mastered and pressed to give the full physical experience !
This compilation is a love letter to chill-out culture, reimagined through the AirFunk lens. Whether you're floating at 30,000 feet or just lying on your couch. I hope it brings you a sense of calm, curiosity, and escape…
