Middle Eastern Sounding Music

Any recommendations on Middle Eastern sounding music?
It doesn't have to be world/folk music or authentic Middle Eastern music, but it must have that Middle Eastern feel.

BroSpence wrote: For some sweet mid-east/fusion check out Anour Brahem's first few albums.  They're very good.  He plays a variety of instruments I believe but mostly Oud.  Jan Garbarek plays on his second album.  Good stuff.  Also check out Hamza El Din for some more Oud music.  He is absolutely amazing.  Great player and singer.  His early recordings are more traditional in sound, while his last album has more of a western influence, but still deeply rooted in his Egyptian classical training. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was from Pakistan, so mid-east-ish.  He's got the flavor you're looking for though.  Great singer.  You probably won't find a bad recording of his.  If you want something of his that has a western touch check out the Mustt Mustt album. Michael Brook adds his interesting guitar work to them. Also search for Setar and Dutar music.  A lot of it come from Iran and is very cool.  Richard Thompson experimented with mid-east sounds as did Jeff Buckley (on occasion: Dream Brother, What Will You Say). Anyways try those for now.

You know your stuff. I'll check those out, thanks.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is featured on parts of the Passion soundtrack I believe.  He and Gabriel were buddies (and Nusrat was on his label).

You should check out the Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack.  Great score, some arabesque flavors.  Great film too.

Maybe a bit different cup of tea, but Marcus Miller got inspiration from a Turkish, clarinet like instrument on his last album. It sounds fun, have a listen if you get a chance.

Secret Chiefs 3.  Although they mix it up with other styles, it's mainly based in Middle Eastern musics.

Embryo are of course to be mentioned too. try "Embryo's Reise" for a start; also the solo albums of Roman Bunka, their guitar and oud player

For completeness: the Marcus Miller album is called Free, and the song that is (most) influenced by the Turkish instrument is called Blast.

in terms of progressive music, ozric tentacles include a lot of middle eastern influence in their music.

it's not exactly middle eastern, but there is a genre of music that originated in Algeria called Rai that I really enjoy. The more modern stuff is kind of a mixture of Algerian folk, French, and rock music. Some good artists would be Rachid Taha, Khaled, and Faudel.

For old school prog with eastern tinges, you could do worse than try Rennaisance's 'Shehezerade' (especially live at Carnegie Hall) or even Robert Plant & Jimmy Page's album 'No Quarter' (classic Zeppelin songs backed by a Moroccan orchestra).

Sean mentioned the great Rachid Taha - quite a hard album, but I'd recommend 'Made In Medina':



Steve Hillage works with Taha a lot & this is the album which fuses both their styles very well.

Also from Algeria, check out Claud Chalhoub's self titled album:



A fusion of eastern influenced classical music with modern production & beats - great chillout album

How about eastern influenced dance music? It may be a bit of a search to get this one (well worth it though), but check out Max Pashm's 'Weddings Bar Mitzhavs & Funerals':



I kid you not - Hassidic Jewish Trance - a blinding album!

Going further east (and he's been mentioned here a couple of times before), you need to hear the late, lamented Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, one of the qawwali (Sufi devotional vocalising) performers/teachers... don't be put off by the description, his albums are haunting; problem is, there are so many of them, so just choose one at random.

Agitation Free -Malesch is worth checking out.'Krautrock' goes middle-east.

Popol Vuh's 1970's (especially) material took it's influence from both the Middle and Far East.

Magic Carpet - s/t. The band fronted by guitar/sitar player,Clem Alford

Quintessence. Any of their albums but my favourite is 'In Blissful Company.Fantastic prog/psych/eastern vibes.Some amazing guitar work on all of the albums.The even had a minor hit with a single called,'Notting Hill Gate.'   

Edited by Man Erg - March 27 2008 at 07:23