Asian / Pacific / Native America

The music of Asia (excluding Turkey and the Arabic lands, which means fromeast),east), plus Australia, Pacific islands (e.g., Hawaii), and Native Am rica.

Arooj Aftab (1985– )

• Vulture Prince [2021, New Amsterdam], B+(*)
• w/Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile [2023, Verve], B+(**)
• Night Reign [2024, Verve], B+(***)

Agust D (1993– )

• D-Day [2023, Big Hit Music], B+(*)

Kiran Ahluwalia

• Wanderlust [2007, Times Square], B+(*)

Azam Ali

• Elysium for the Brave [2006, Six Degrees], B

Vijaya Anand

• Asia Classics 1: Dance Raja Dance [1992, Luaka Bop], B

Ashwin Batish

• Sitar Power [1986, Shanachie], B

Keola Beamer (1951– )

• Wooden Boat [1994, Dancing Cat], B+(*)

Debashish Bhattacharya (1963– )

• Slide Guitar Ragas From Dusk Till Dawn [2015, Riverboat], B+(***)

BlackPink

• The Album [2020, YG Entertainment/Interscope], B+(**)
• Born Pink [2022, YG Entertainment], B+(***)

BTS [2014– ]

• Love Yourself: Tear [2018, Big Hit], B
• Map of the Soul: 7 [2020, Big Hit], B+(*)
• BE [2020, Big Hit], B+(*)

The Cambodian Space Project

• 2011: A Space Odyssey [2011, Metal Postcard], B+(***)

Chai [2017– ]

• Punk [2019, Burger], B+(*)
• Wink [2021, Sub Pop], B+(**)
• Chai [2023, Sub Pop], B+(**)

Sheila Chandra (1965– )

• Moonsung [1993–96, RealWorld], C+

Chingari

• w/Ranjit Barot, U Shrinivas, Etienne Mbappé: Bombay Makossa [2014, Abstract Logix], B+(*)

Dear Eloise [2010– ]

• Uncontrollable, Ice Age Stories [2012, Maybe Mars], B+(*)

Enji

• Ulaan [2023, Squama], B

Ghazal

• The Rain [2001, ECM], B+

Guo Brothers and Shung Tian [1990– ]

• Yuan [1990, RealWorld], B+

Lama Gyurme (1948– )

• w/Jean-Philippe Rykiel: The Lama's Chants: Songs of Awakening / Roads of Blessings [1994–2001, Narada, 2 CD], B+

Takashi Hirayasu

• w/Bob Brozman: Jin Jin / Firefly [2000, Riverboat], B+
• w/Bob Brozman: Nankuru Naisa [2001, Riverboat], B

Huun-Huur-Tu [1994– ]

• 60 Horses in My Herd: Old Songs and Tunes of Tuva [1993, Shanachie], B

Ive

• Ive Switch [2024, Starship Entertainment, EP], A–

Arushi Jain

• Under the Lilac Sky [2021, Leaving], B+(***)

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band

• Dance of the Cobra [2013, Riverboat], B+(*)

Jaubi

• Nafs at Peace [2021, Astigmatic], A–

Park Jiha

• Communion [2016, Tak:til], B+(**)

Kambar Kalendarov

• w/Kutman Sultanbekov: Jaw [2011, Cantaloupe], B

Manika Kaur

• Satnam Waheguru: The True Name [2013, self-released], B+(**)

Kayhan Kalhor (1963– )

• w/Erdal Erzincan: The Wind [2004, ECM], B+(*)

Raymond Kane (1925– )

• Master of the Slack Key Guitar [1988, Rounder], B
• Punahele [1994, Dancing Cat], B+

KCP 5

• Many Ways [2005, Challenge], B+(**)

Ricky Kej

• w/Wouter Kellerman: Winds of Samsara [2014, Listen 2 Africa], C

Ali Akbar Khan (1922–2009)

• w/Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri: Passing on the Tradition [1995, AMMP], B+(*)

Amjad Ali Khan (1945– )

• Moksha [2005, RealWorld], A–

Badar Ali Khan (1964– )

• Lost In Qawwali [1997, Triloka], A–
• Lost in Qawwali II [1998, Triloka], B

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–97)

• The Ultimate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The Early Years, Volume 1 [1978–82, Narada, 2 CD], B+
• The Ultimate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The Early Years, Volume 2 [1983–84, Narada, 2 CD], A–
• Mustt Mustt [1990, RealWorld], B
• Intoxicated Spirit [1996, Shanachie], A–
• The Rough Guide to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan [(2002), World Music Network], A–

Khun Narin

• Electric Phin Band [2014, Innovative Leisure], B+(**)

Kodo [1982– ]

• Ibuki [1997, Tristar], B+(*)

Kishore Kumar (1929–87)

• The Rough Guide to Kishore Kumar [(2014), World Music Network], B+(**)

Lapgan

• Badmaash [2019, self-released], B+(**)
• Duniya Kya Hai [2021, Veena Sounds], B+(**)
• History [2023, Veena Sounds], B+(*)

Les Rallizes Dénudés [1967–1988]

• Citta' '93 [1993, Temporal Drift], B+(***)

Yungchen Lhamo

• Ama [2005, Real World], B+(**)

Wu Man (1963– )

• w/Kojiro Umezaki: How [2019, In a Circle], B+(*)

Dewan Motihar

• w/Irène Schweizer, Manfred Schoof, Barney Wilen: Jazz Meets India [1967, SABA], B+(**)

Neel Murgai

• Neel Murgai Ensemble [2008, Innova], B+(*)

Najma

• Qareeb [1988, Shanachie], B+

Shahram Nazeri

• w/Hafez Nazeri: The Passion of Rumi [2007, QuarterTone], B

Newjeans

• Get Up [2023, ADOR, EP], B+(**)

Nermin Niazi

• w/Feisal Mosleh: Disco Se Aagay [1984, Discostan], B+(**)

Niyaz [2005– ]

• Fourth Light [2015, Six Degrees], B+(***)

Otoboke Beaver [2011– ]

• Itekoma Hits [2019, Damnably], B+(**)

Parannoul (2001– )

• After the Magic [2023, Top Shelf], B

Asha Puthli (1945– )

• The Essential Asha Puthli [1968–80, Mr. Bongo], B+(***)

Quraishi

• Mountain Melodies [2014, Evergreene Music], B+(**)

Joe Rainey

• Niineta [2022, 37d03d], B+(**)
• RARE Pulse [2001, GEMA], B+(*)

A.R. Rahman (1966– )

• The Best of A.R. Rahman [1997–2006, Legacy], A–

Deepak Ram

• Steps [2008, Golden Horn], B

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali

• Attish: The Hidden Fire [1998, Womad/Asia], B
• w/Temple of Sound: People's Colony No. 1 [2001, RealWorld], B+
• A Better Destiny [2002, RealWorld], A–
• Day of Colours [2004, RealWorld], B+

RMaster

• New Anime Nation, Vol. 10 [2015, Anime], B+(*)

Rough Image

• Rough Image [2023, WV Sorcerer], B+(***)

Ustad Saami

• God Is Not a Terrorist [2019, Glitterbeat], C

Senyawa

• Sujud [2018, Sublime Frequencies], B+(***)
• Alkisah [2021, Burning Ambulance], B

Shakti [1975–1977]

• w/John McLaughlin: Shakti With John McLaughlin [1975, Columbia], B+(***)
• w/John McLaughlin: Natural Elements [1977, Columbia], B+(**)
• w/John McLaughlin: A Handful of Beauty [1976, Columbia], B+(***)
• This Moment [2023, Abstract Logix], B+(*)

Ravi Shankar (1920–2012)

• Three Ragas [1956, Angel], A–
• India's Most Distinguished Musician in Concert [1961, Angel], B+(**)
• Improvisations [1962, Angel], B+(*)
• India's Master Musician [1963, Angel], A–
• Ragas and Talas [1964, Angel], B+(***)
• Portrait of Genius [1964, Angel], B+(**)
• Sound of the Sitar [1965, Angel], B+(**)
• Live: At the Monterey International Pop Festival [1967, Angel], B+(**)
• In San Francisco [1967, Angel], B
• In New York [1968, Angel], B+(***)
• The Sounds of India [1968, Columbia], B+(**)
• w/Ali Akbar Khan: Ragas [1973, Fantasy], B+(***)
• w/Yehudi Menuhin: West Meets East: The Historic Shankar/Menuhin Sessions [1967–76, Angel], B+(*)
• Homage to Mahatma Gandhi [1978–80, Deutsche Grammofon], B+(**)
• Rare and Glorious [1962–88, Times Square, 2 CD], A–
• Full Circle: Carnegie Hall 2000 [2000, Angel], B+(***)

Shoukichi Kina (1948– )

• Peppermint Tea House: The Best of Shoukichi Kina [1980–91, Luaka Bop], B+(**)

Charanjit Singh

• Two Ragas to a Disco Beat [1982, Bombay Connection], B+(***)

Jyotsna Srikanth

• Call of Bangalore [2013, Riverboat], B+(*)

Suphala

• Blueprint [2007, Suphala], B

Rajna Swaminathan

• Apertures [2021, Ropeadope], B+(**)

3unshine

• We Are 3unshine [2019, Real Show], B+(**)

Senti Toy

• How Many Stories Do You Read on My Face? [2006, Circular Moves], B

Tujiko Noriko (1976– )

• Crépuscle I & II [2023, Editions Mego], B

2NE1 [2012– ]

• Crush [2014, YG Entertainment], B+(**)

Various Artists

• The Balinese Gamelan: Music From the Morning of the World [1966, Elektra/Nonesuch], A–
• Bhangra Beatz: A Naxos World Collection [1993–99, Naxos], B+
• Bollywood Remembers: Laxmikant Pyarelai: Best of the EMI Years [1963–91, Times Square, 2 CD], B+(***)
• Bosavi: Rainforest Music From Papua New Guinea [2001, Smithsonian/Folkways, 3 CD], B
• A Chant About the Beauty of the Moon at Night: Early Hawaiian Steel Guitar Masters: Lost + Rare Performances 1913–1921 [1913–21, Magnificent Sound], B
• Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll [(2015), Dust-to-Digital], A–
• Edition Pierre Verger: Japan: From Kyoto to Tokyo [(2006), Playasound], B
• Folk and Pop Sounds of Sumatra Vol. 2 [(2004), Sublime Frequencies], B+
• Indonesia: Bali: Music Froom the Morning of the World [1966, Nonesuch], A–
• Kankyo Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental and New Age Music 1980–1990 [1980–90, Light in the Attic], A–
• King Khan: Songs From the Films of Shahrukh Khan [1992–2002, Times Square], B+(**)
• Look Directly Into the Sun: China Pop 2007 [2007, Bloodshot], B+(***)
• Lost in China: Off the Beaten Track From Beijing to Xinjiang [(2017), Riverboat], B+(**)
• Music of Indonesia 2: Indonesian Popular Music [1991, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
• Phases of the Moon: Traditional Chinese Music [1981, Columbia], A–
• Putumayo Presents: Asian Lounge [1978–2005, Putumayo World Music], B
• Putumayo Presents: South Pacific Islands [1997–2002, Putumayo World Music], B
• Radio Pyongyang: Commie Funk and Agit Pop From the Hermit Kingdom [1995–2005, Sublime Frequencies], B+
• Radio Sumatra: The Indonesian FM Experience [2004, Sublime Frequencies], B
• The Rough Guide to Bhangra [1993–99, World Music Network], A–
• The Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance [1998–2005, World Music Network], A–
• The Rough Guide to Bollywood [(2002), World Music Network], B
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Hawaii [(2001), World Music Network], A–
• The Rough Guide to Music of Indonesia [(2000), World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to the Music of China [(2003), World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Japan [1991–98, World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Okinawa [(2001), World Music Network], B
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Pakistan [(2003), World Music Network], B
• The Rough Guide to the Music of the Indian Ocean [(2002), World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to Native American Music [1951–99, World Music Network], B
• Sedayeh Del: Funk, Psychedelia and Pop From the Iranian Pre-Revolution Generation [1959–77, Pharaway Sounds], B+(***)
• Soul Sok Sega: Sega Sounds From Mauritius 1973–1979 [1973–79, Strut], B+(***)
• The Sound of Siam: Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz and Molam in Thailand 1964–1975 [1964–75, Soundway], B+(**)
• The Sound of Siam Volume 2: Molam and Luk Thung 1970–1982 [1970–82, Soundway], B+(*)
• Sufis at the Cinema: 50 Years of Bollywood Qawwali and Sufi Song 1958–2007 [1958–2007, Times Square, 2CD], B+(**)