Middle East / North Africa

Deena Abdelwahed

• Jbal Rrsas [2023, Infiné], B+(***)

Ramzi Aburedwan (1979– )

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

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

• Little Earth [2010, Ur Music, 2CD], B+(*)

Al-Qasar

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

Alsarah

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

Ammar 808

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

Natacha Atlas (1964– )

• Gedida [1999, Beggars Banquet], B+
• 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+(***)

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+(**)

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+(**)

El Khat [2019– ]

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

Maurice El Médioni

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

Chaba Fadela

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

Mahmoud Fadl

• The Drummers of the Nile Go South [2001, Piranha], A–

Faudel

• Baïda [1997, Mondo Melodia], A–

Gaida

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

Moktar Gania

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

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–

Elektro Hafiz

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

Hakim (1962– )

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

Mariem Hassan (1958–2015)

• Mariem Hassan Con Leyoad [2002, Nubenegra], B+(***)
• 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+(*)

Jakuzi [2015– ]

• Hata Payi [2019, City Slang], B+(**)

Khaled (1960– )

• w/Soufy Boutella: Kutché [1989, Intuition], A–
• Khaled [1992, Virgin], B
• N'ssi N'ssi [1994, Mango], A–
• Liberté [2009, Wrasse], A–

Amira Kheir

• Alsahraa [2014, Sterns], B+(*)

Ali Hassan Kuban (1929–2001)

• From Nubia to Cairo [1980, Piranha], B+(***)
• The Rough Guide to Ali Hassan Kuban [1989–2001, World Music Network], A–

Lalalar

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

Maurice Louca

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

Cheb Mami

• Dellali [2001, Mondo Melodia], B

Michy Mano

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

Souad Massi (1972– )

• Honeysuckle (Mesk Elil) [2005, Wrasse], B+(***)

The Master Musicians of Jajouka

• w/Bachir Attar: Apocalypse Across the Sky [1992, Axiom], B+(***)
• w/Bachir Attar: Dancing Under the Moon [2022, Glitterbeat, 2CD], B+(*)

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+(*)

Ahmet Özhan (1950– )

• Gülmira [2014, Esen Muzik], B+(***)

Cheikha Remitti

• Anthologie du Raï [(1996), MED], B

Noura Mint Seymali

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

Simon Shaheen (1955– )

• The Music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab [1990, Axiom], B+
• Blue Flame [2001, Ark 21], A–

Omar Souleyman (1966– )

• 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)

• Diwan [1998, Polydor], A–
• 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+(*)

Okay Temiz (1939– )

• Drummer of Two Worlds [1980, Finnadar], B+(***)

Toumast

• Ishumar [2007, Real World], A–

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+(*)

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+

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
• 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+(***)
• Nouakchott Wedding Songs [2015, Sahel Sounds], B+(**)
• Oujda-Casablanca Introspections, Vol. 1 [1994, Barbarity], A–
• 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 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 Turkey [(2003), World Music Network], B+
• 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+(***)
• Yalla: Hit List Egypt [1990, Mango], B+