Middle East / North Africa (Reference)

The reference list includes records that have been obtained and/or rated (in blue) as well as many other records that have been recommended from various sources.

Najat Aatabou

• The Voice of the Atlas [1991, Globestyle]
• Country Girls and City Women [1997, Rounder]

Deena Abdelwahed

• Jbal Rrsas [2023, Infiné], B+(***)

Mohamed Abdu

• Mohamed Abdu [Saut el Jazira]
• Inti El-Hawa [Saut el Jazira]

Ramzi Aburedwan (1979– )

• Reflections of Palestine [2012, Riverboat], B+(***)

Ahlam

• Revolt Against Reason [1992, Barbarity]

Sharhabil Ahmed (1935– )

• The King of Sudanese Jazz [(2020), Habibi Funk], A–

Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects

• Shabeesation [1993, Rykodisc], B+

Nancy Ajram (1983– )

• Nancy 8 [2014, In2musica], A–

Amina Alaoui

• Arco Iris [2010, ECM], B+(**)

Rahim AlHaj

• Iraqi Music in a Time of War [2003, Voxlox]
• Little Earth [2010, Ur Music, 2CD], B+(*)

Al-Qasar

• Who Are We? [2022, Glitterbeat], B+(***)

Alsarah

• w/Débruit: Aljawal [2013, Soundway], B

Amina

• Yalil [1989, Mango]
• Gharnati [1995, Ethnic]
• Nomad: Best of Amina [(2001), Ark 21]

Ammar 808

• Global Control / Invisible Invasion [2020, Glitterbeat], B+(**)

Natacha Atlas (1964– )

• Gedida [1999, Beggars Banquet], B+
• Ayeshteni [2001, Virgin]
• Something Dangerous [2003, Beggars Banquet]
• Mish Maoul [2006, Mantra]
• Mounqaliba [2010, World Village], B

Abed Azrié (1945– )

• Aromates [1990, Elektra/Nonesuch], B+

Bab L' Bluz

• Nayda! [2020, Real World], B+(*)
• Swaken [2024, Real World], B+(*)

Baba Zula

• w/Mad Professor: Ruhani Oyun Havalan (Psychebelly Dance Music) [2003, Doublemoon], B+(***)
• Hayvan Gibi [2020, Night Dreamer/Gulbara], A–

Balqees

• Majnoun [2013, Rotana], B+(***)

Mustapha Baqbou

• Mustapha Baqbou [1996, World Circuit]
• Gnawa Trance Music [1999, Sounds of the World]

Bargou 08

• Targ [2017, Glitterbeat], B+(*)

Majid Bekkas (1957– )

• w/Goran Kajfes, Jesper Nordenström, Stefan Pasborg: Magic Spirit Quartet [2018, ACT Music], B+(*)

Tanburi Cemil Bey (1871–1916)

• Tanburi Cemil Bey [1910–14, Traditional Crossroads], B

Aziza Brahim (1976– )

• Mawja [2024, Glitterbeat], B+(**)

Saïd Charïbi

• Holm bi Fes [1997, Al Sur]

Djur Djura

• Adventures in Afropea 2: The Best of Djur Djura [(1993), Luaka Bop]

Khalifa Ould Eide and Dimi Mint Abba

• Moorish Music From Mauritania [1990, World Circuit], B

Hamza El Din (1929– )

• Escalay (The Water Wheel) [1968, Elektra/Nonesuch], B+(**)
• Muwashshah [1996, JVC]

Abdel Karim El Kabli

• Abdel Karim El Kabli, Vol. 3 [Sudanophone]

El Khat [2019– ]

• Albat Alawi Op. 99 [2022, Glitterbeat], B+(*)
• Mute [2024, Glitterbeat], B+(*)

Maurice El Médioni

• Café Oran [1999, Piranha]
• w/Roberto Rodriguez: Descarga Oriental: The New York Sessions [2005, Piranha], A–

Abdel Aziz El Mubarak

• Abdel Aziz El Mubarak [1987, Globestyle]
• Straight from the Heart [World Circuit]
• Songs from the City [World Circuit]

Kudsi Erguner (1952– )

• Turkey: Art of the Ottoman Tanbur [1989, VDE]
• w/Suleyman Erguner: Sufi Music of Turkey [1990, CMP]
• Works of Kemani Tatyos Efendy [1996, Traditional]
• Vocal Masterpieces of Kemani Tatyos Efendi [1996, Traditional]
• Meditations on the Ney [Philips]
• Sufi Music and Unrecorded Songs of the 15th Century [GREM]
• Peshrev and Semai of Tanburi Djemil Bey [CMP]

Hassan Erraji

• Traditional Arabic Music [1991, Saydisc]

Chaba Fadela

• You Are Mine [1988, Mango], A–
• w/Cheb Sahraoui: Hana Hana [1990, Mango], B+

Mahmoud Fadl

• Love Letter form King Tut-Ank-Amen [1998, Piranha]
• The Drummers of the Nile Go South [2001, Piranha], A–

Fairuz (1934– )

• The Legendary Fairuz [(1998), Hemisphere]
• The Very Best of Fairuz [EMI]
• Kifak Inta [Relax-in]
• Maarifti Fik [Relax-in]
• Dabke [Voix de l'Orient]
• Al Mahatta [Voix de l'Orient]
• Ya Rayeh [Voix de l'Orient]

Sabah Fakhri

• Ya Teira Tin [Duniaphon]
• Mouwachah Iski al Itash [Duniaphon]

Faudel

• Baïda [1997, Mondo Melodia], A–
• Samra [2001, Ark]

Gaida

• Levantine Indulgence [2009, Palmyra], B+(***)

Soliman Gamil

• The Egyptian Music [1989, Touch & Go]

Moktar Gania

• Moktar Gania and Gnawa Soul: Gnawa Soul [2022, MusjoMusic/Nuits d'Afrique], B+(***)

Djivan Gasparyan (1928– )

• I Will Not Be Sad in This World [1989, Opal]
• Moon Shines at Night [(1993), Gyroscope]

Taskioune Giumbri

• Songs and Rhythms of Morocco [Lyrichord]

Guedra Guedra

• Vexillology [2021, On the Corner], B+(**)

The Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble

• Music of Georges I. Gurdjieff [2008, ECM], B+(**)

Rahmi Orüj Güvenç (1948–2017)

• Orüj Güvenç and Tümata: Ocean of Remembrance [1995, Interworld], A–
• Orüj Güvenç and Tümata: Rivers of One [1997, Interworld], A–

Abdel Halim Hafez (1929–77)

• Ala Hasb Weddad [Soutelphan]

Elektro Hafiz

• Elektro Hafiz [2016, Guerssen], B+(***)

Richard Hagopian (1937– )

• The Best of Armenian Folk Music [(1992), Arc]
• Armenian Music through the Ages [1993, Smithsonian/Folkways]

Hakim (1962– )

• The Lion Roars: Live in America [2001, Mondo Melodia], B+
• Talakik [2002, Mondo Melodia], B+(***)
• Lela [2004, IRS World], B+

Hassan Hakmoun (1963– )

• Gnawa Music of Marrakesh [1991, Axiom]
• Gift of the Gnawa [1991, Flying Fish]
• Trance [1993, Real World]
• The Fire Within: Gnawa Music of Morocco [1995, Music of the World]
• Unity [2014, Healing]

Cheb Hasni

• Lover's Rai [1997, Rounder]

Mariem Hassan (1958–2015)

• Mariem Hassan Con Leyoad [2002, Nubenegra], B+(***)
• Deseos [2008, Nubenegra]
• Shouka [2010, Nubenegra], B+(*)
• El Aaiun Egdat [2012, Nubenegra], B+(***)
• w/Vadiya Mint El Hanevi: Baila Sahara Baila [2015, Nubenegra], A–
• La Voz Indómita (del Sahara Occidental) [2017, Nubenegra], B+(***)

Ibrahim Hesnawi (1954– )

• The Father of Libyan Reggae [(2023), Habibi Funk], B+(*)

Udi Hrant (1901–78)

• The Early Recordings, Vol. 1 [(1995), Traditional Crossroads]
• The Early Recordings, Vol. 2 [(1995), Traditional Crossroads]

Istanbul Oriental Ensemble

• Gypsy Rum [1995, Network]

Jakuzi [2015– ]

• Fantezi Muzik [2016, Domuz]
• Hata Payi [2019, City Slang], B+(**)

Cheb Kader

• From Oran to Paris [1991, Shanachie]
• The Best of Cheb Kader [(1996), Blue Silver]

Khaled (1960– )

• w/Soufy Boutella: Kutché [1989, Intuition], A–
• Khaled [1992, Virgin], B
• N'ssi N'ssi [1994, Mango], A–
• Hada Raykoum [1994, Sterns]
• Sahra [1996, Polygram]
• Kenza [2000, Ark 21]
• Fuir, Mais Oui? [Celluloid]
• Liberté [2009, Wrasse], A–

Amira Kheir

• Alsahraa [2014, Sterns], B+(*)

Ali Hassan Kuban (1929–2001)

• From Nubia to Cairo [1980, Piranha], B+(***)
• Walk Like a Nubian [1992, Piranha]
• Nubian Magic [1994, Mercator]
• The Rough Guide to Ali Hassan Kuban [1989–2001, World Music Network], A–

Umm Kulthum (1904–75)

• Al Atlaal [Sono Cairo]
• Nasheed Al-Amal [Sono Cairo]

Lalalar

• Bi Cinnete Bakar [2022, Bongo Joe], A–
• En Kötü Iyi Olur [2023, Bongo Joe], B+(***)

Reinette L'Oranaise

• Mémoires [1995, Blue Silver]

Maurice Louca

• Elephantine [2019, Northern Spy], B+(*)
• Laurice Louca Elephantine Band: Moonshine [2023, Sub Rosa/Northern Spy], B+(***)

Ibrahim Maalouf (1980– )

Malouma

• Desert of Eden [1998, Shanachie]

Cheb Mami

• Let Me Rai [1990, Priority]
• Meli Meli [1999, EMI]
• Dellali [2001, Mondo Melodia], B

Michy Mano

• The Cool Side of the Pillow [2003, Enja/Justin Time], B+(***)

Souad Massi (1972– )

• Deb (Heart Broken) [2003, GRC]
• Honeysuckle (Mesk Elil) [2005, Wrasse], B+(***)

The Master Musicians of Jajouka

• Master Musicians of Jajouka [1972, Genes]
• w/Bachir Attar: Apocalypse Across the Sky [1992, Axiom], B+(***)
• Master Musicians of Jajouka Featuring Bachir Attar [2000, Point Music]
• w/Bachir Attar: Dancing Under the Moon [2022, Glitterbeat, 2CD], B+(*)

Aït Menguellet (1950– )

• Chants et Poesie de Kabylie [1998, Blue Silver]

Bellemou Messaoud

• Le Père du Rai [1989, World Circuit]

Nancy Mounir (1987– )

• Nozhet El Nofous [2022, Simsara], B

Wassim Mukdad

• Mukdad Rothenberg Lankow: In the Wake of Memories [2020, Clermont Music], A–

Niyaz

• Sumud [2012, Six Degrees], B+(*)

Channe Nussbaum

• Copenhagen Klezmer [1997, Danica]

Ahmet Özhan (1950– )

• Gülmira [2014, Esen Muzik], B+(***)

Talip Özkan (1939– )

• Mysteries of Turkey [1988, Music of the World]
• The Art of the Tanbur [1994, Ocora]

Elia Pehlivanian

• Kanonne: Musique traditionnelle d'Arménie [Buda Musique]

Ali Jihad Racy (1943– )

• Taqasim [Lyrichord]

Hossam Ramzy (1954– )

• Rhythms of the Nile [Arc]

Cheikha Remitti

• Ghir al Baroud [1996, Michael Levy]
• Anthologie du Raï [(1996), MED], B

Rustavi Choir

• Georgian Voices [1989, Elektra/Nonesuch]

Sabah

• Excerpts from "The First Lady [Voice of Lebanon]
• Zay El Assal [Voice of Lebanon]

Cheikh Salah

• Arabo-Andalusian Music [Buda Musique]

Abdel Gadir Salim

• Nujum Al-Lail / Stars of the Night [1989, Shanachie]
• The Merdoum Kings Play Songs of Love [1990, Shanachie]

Noura Mint Seymali

• Tzenni [2014, Glitterbeat], B+(**)
• Arbina [2016, Glitterbeat], B+(***)

Simon Shaheen (1955– )

• The Music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab [1990, Axiom], B+
• Turath: Masterworks of the Middle East [1992, CMP]
• Blue Flame [2001, Ark 21], A–
• Taqasim [Lyrichord]

Omar Souleyman (1966– )

• Leh Jani [1998, Sham Palace]
• Highway to Hassake: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria [1994–2006, Sublime Frequencies], A–
• Dabke 2020: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria [1999–2008, Sublime Frequencies], B+(***)
• Jazeera Nights: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria [1996–2009, Sublime Frequencies], B+(***)
• Haflat Gharbia: The Western Concerts [2009–2011, Sublime Frequencies], A–
• Wenu Wenu [2013, Ribbon Music], A–
• Bahdeni Nami [2015, Monkeytown], A–
• To Syria, With Love [2017, Mad Decent], A–
• Shlon [2019, Mad Decent/Because], A–
• Erbil [2024, Mad Decent], B+(***)

Rachid Taha (1958–2018)

• Olé Olé [1996, Mango]
• Diwan [1998, Polydor], A–
• w/Cheb Khaled, Faudel: 1, 2, 3 Soleils [1998, Wrasse]
• Made in Medina [2000, Ark 21], A
• Live [2002, Mondo Melodia], A–
• Tékitoi [1998–2004, Wrasse], A–
• Rock El Casbah: The Best of Rachid Taha [1986–2004, Wrasse], B+(***)
• Diwan 2 [2006, Wrasse], A–
• Bonjour [2009, Knitting Factory Works], B+(***)
• Zoom [2013, Wrasse], A–
• Je Suis Africain [(2019), Naive], A–

Dudu Tassa (1977– )

• w/Jonny Greenwood: Jarak Qaribak [2023, World Circuit], B+(*)

Omar Faruk Tekbilek

• Beyond the Sky [1992, Celestial Harmonies]
• Crescent Moon [1998, Celestial Harmonies]

Okay Temiz (1939– )

• Drummer of Two Worlds [1980, Finnadar], B+(***)
• Okay Temiz / Sylvain Kassap [1994, Label la Lichere]

Toumast

• Ishumar [2007, Real World], A–

Arto Tunçboyaciyan (1957– )

• Every Day Is a New Life [2001, Living Music]

Turbo Tabla [2004– ]

• The Belly and the Beat [2006, CIA], B

Saadet Türköz (1961– )

• Urumchi [2005, Intakt], B+(*)
• w/Elliott Sharp: Kumuska [2007, Intakt], B+(*)

Warda

• Warda [(1997), Hemisphere]
• Lebanon / Algeria [1998, Metro Blue]
• Bawadak [Saut el-Duniya]

Mohamed Wardi

• Live in Addis Ababa, 1994 [1994, Rags]

Yosefa (1971– )

• Yosefa [1993, Triloka]

Dhafer Youssef (1967– )

• Diwan of Beauty and Odd [2016, Okeh], B
• Street of Minarets [2023, Back Beat Edition], B+(**)

Chaba Zahouania

• Nights without Sleeping [1988, Mango], B+

Emil Zrihan

• Ashkelon [1999, Piranha]

Various Artists

• Arabesque Tlata 3 [1988–2002, React], A–
• Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms [1995–2001, Mondo Melodia], B
• Checkpoint Rock: Canciones Desde Palestina [2009, Talka], B+(**)
• Choubi Choubi! Folk and Pop Sounds From Iraq [2005, Sublime Frequencies], A–
• Dabke: Sounds of the Syrian Houran [1997–2010, Sham Palace], A–
• Desert Roses Vol. IV [2002–2006, CIA], B
• Egypt: Echoes of the Nile [(1997), Multicultural Media]
• Folklore Kabyle [Club du Disque Arabe]
• Gnawa Music of Marrakesh: Night Spirit Masters [(1991), Axiom]
• Istanbul 1925 [(1994), Traditional Crossroads]
• Khat Thaleth: Third Line: Initiative for the Elevation of Public Awareness [2013, Stronghold Sound], A–
• Maghreb K7 Club: Synth Raï, Chaoui and Staifi (1985–1997) [1985–97, Bongo Joe], B+(**)
• A Moi La Liberté: Early Electronic Raï, Algerie 1983–90 [1983–90, Serendip Lab], B+(***)
• Music of Morocco: Recorded by Paul Bowles, 1959 [1959, Dust-to-Digital]
• Nouakchott Wedding Songs [2015, Sahel Sounds], B+(**)
• Oujda-Casablanca Introspections, Vol. 1 [1994, Barbarity], A–
• Pop Rai and Rachid Style [(1990), Earthworks]
• Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia [1997–2008, Putumayo World Music], B+(***)
• Putumayo Presents: North African Groove [1996–2004, Putumayo World Music], B+
• Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge [(2004), Putumayo World Music], B+
• Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove [1999–2005, Putumayo World Music], B+(*)
• Radio Palestine: Sounds of the Eastern Mediterranean [1985, Sublime Frequencies], B–
• Rai Rebels [(1988), Earthworks], A–
• The Road to Jajouka: A Benefit Album [2013, Howe], A–
• The Rough Guide: The Music of North African [(1997), World Music Network]
• The Rough Guide to Arabesque [1993–2002, World Music Network], B
• The Rough Guide to Arabic Jazz [(2014), World Music Network, 2CD], B+(*)
• The Rough Guide to Bellydance [(2002), World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to Raï [(2002), World Music Network], A–
• The Rough Guide to the Best Arabic Music You've Never Heard [2008–2014, World Music Network], B
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Egypt [(2003), World Music Network]
• The Rough Guide to the Music of Turkey [(2003), World Music Network], B+
• Sif Safaa: New Music from the Middle East [(1995), Hemisphere]
• Tea in Marrakech [2001, Earthworks], A–
• Two Niles to Sing a Melody: The Violins and Synths of Sudan [1970, Ostinato], A–
• Uzelli Elektro Saz (1976–1984) [1976–84, Uzelli], B+(**)
• Wallahi Le Zein! [(2021), Mississippi], B+(***)
• Women of Istanbul [(1998), Traditional Crossroads]
• Yalla: Hit List Egypt [1990, Mango], B+