I need some Middle Eastern music

[Catch22Dem]

I've been digging around on ITUNES and have found some neat stuff. I'm not looking for anything in particular, or from a particular region. I don't want prayer calls, or disco/dance music. Something more traditional.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm hosting a Middle Eastern themed dinner party this Saturday.

[starroute]

1. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

http://nusrat.com/

"The origins of Qawwali music trace back over seven hundred years to the spiritual Samah songs of Persia. Qawwali's devotional themes of peace and love are held to come from God, sung on earth by the Prophets who followed Mohammad.

"Pakistan's Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan the most revered Qawwal came to prominence to western audiences through his collaborations with Eddie Vedder and Tim Robbins (Dead Man Walking soundtrack), Michael Brook, Massive Attack, and Peter Gabriel (Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack) which would result in a number of tours and albums released in North America and Europe.

"After newly signing with American Recordings, Nusrat recorded what would become his final studio recordings. Produced by Rick Rubin, these recordings expand on Nusrat's universal themes of spirituality, peace and love."

[bikebloke]

2. 3 Mustaphas 3

Their "Shopping" disque. Some more traditional. And some traditional, mixed with a bit of fun craziness.

[starroute]

3. Umm Kulthum

http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/

[KeepHopeAlive]

4. A couple more

Omar Faruk Tekbilek or Hossam Ramzy

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. There's a Putumayo album

called Cairo to Casablanca, and another called Arabic Groove.

There's also an EMI recording called The Story of Arabic Song.

For an American group that does Middle Eastern music, both Turkish and Arab, try the Portland-based group Brothers of the Baladi.