Good Middle-Eastern music?

robotsunshine

Me and the woman went to this Moroccan restaurant downtown called the Casbah. They were heavy on the ambiance, with super-dim lights, belly dancers, servers who washed your hands with rose water (you eat with your fingers), and all that. It was really enjoyable, especially the music. They advertised that they played "authentic Moroccan music", and I'm all, Cool.

So, who out there knows a thing or two about music from the area? I'm not strict on the region - anything that evokes the whole 1,001 Nights feel. Something to really zone out to.

strakha_7

I've always found Buddha Bar albums to be exactly as you describe, except I used the term "fall in to" instead of "zone out to." It won't be a specific region though. And sometimes they are a bit more intense/upbeat, and are usually released in pairs. You want the "Drink" cd if you have a choice. Otherwise give a listen.

y2jake215

you could try listening to secret chiefs 3 - they play middle-easterny music though with a more modern feel. definitely check them out.

LifeVirusZERO

Just get the Aladdin soundtrack.

Just kidding, of course.

EggyToast

There's a couple middle-eastern/indian sounding tracks that were used in Little Big Planet, including the one that caused the recall. All are pretty chill.

Endomatic

Would Jesse Cook be appropriate?

He has an album (or perhaps a couple) with the name Buddha Bar.
I'm not sure what you would call his music. I call it excellent. Some others might have a proper name for it though.

robotsunshine

I got a few samples of Buddha Bar in my hands.

Wonderful stuff, thanks for the recommendation

urahonky

strakha_7 wrote: »

I've always found Buddha Bar albums to be exactly as you describe, except I used the term "fall in to" instead of "zone out to." It won't be a specific region though. And sometimes they are a bit more intense/upbeat, and are usually released in pairs. You want the "Drink" cd if you have a choice. Otherwise give a listen.

Listen to this man. Buddha Bar is amazing.

prfntbtr

I second Secret Chiefs 3, maybe check out their album "Book M". Very good stuff, and has a modern, middle eastern feel through most of it.

zeeny

You're not actually looking for middle eastern music, but for oriental/latino lounge if the buddha bars are what you were looking for.
Some of the stuff on jamendo in that category is actually decent.(and free as in beer)
http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/ben.othman

Satsumomo

Here are my recommendations:


Asian Lounge


Electric Gypsyland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BraaB_wr-I

Makyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAzTCBVtrQE

Arabica III

Ekova

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI9QE0cQ72g


A little bit of everything, different styles but from the same region. I was at the Casbah too, on my roadtrip to Canada, it was a really nice place to be!

clsCorwin

Mustafa Sandal is pretty good for more upbeat dancing tunes. Its Turkish, to be exact.

Bryse Eayo

There's a great group called Angel Tears they're basically exactly what you want. I think they even have tracks on Buddha bar albums

Satsumomo

As for the Buddha Bar compilations (I love them, have about 9 of them) I find that the Claude Challe compilation is the best of the bunch if you're looking for very West Asian/North African music.