NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm drinking my version of an iced-cappucino (wicked strong instant coffee with condensed milk over ice), and listening to Jacques Brel. Oh Jacques, you annoyed me at first, but somehow you crept up on me while I wasn't looking, and now I understand what all the fuss is about! Who can resist your suave tones, and who does not feel like their heart is being torn out when you sing, "Ne Me Quitte Pas"? Wow.

If I never gave music a chance beyond the first hearing, I can hardly imagine how less enjoyable my life would be. I'll listen to anything more than once...sometimes I'll force myself to suffer through it three, four, five times if someone I trust has recommended it to me. It's rare that something in the music hasn't captivated me at that point. And every once in a while, when I stumble across a gem like Zap Mamma, I wonder, why the hell didn't I know about this incredible, soaring masterpiece of a song before? WHY? What else am I missing?

I find that the music I enjoy the most is not what I have easy access to. I want to hear what is considered classic, considered timeless, and preferably from countries other than the US and Canada. It's not that I don't love North American music...I really do. But it's easy to get. When someone passes me a copy of something like Sol y Lluvia, who most North Americans have never heard of, yet who could sell more tickets to a show that most big North American acts, I feel a little thrill. Not because our music is worse...it isn't worse, it isn't better, taken as a whole.

I'd like your suggestions, yes, that's the point of this thread. Sharing, as has been done before, suggestions for good music. I'd like to focus on non-Western music if possible, specific artists, and specific songs for those of us who have yet to experience these artists. Consider yourself a tour-guide for musicians found outside of the West, and give us a bit of background if you can...what style of music is it, what time period is it from, what themes do these musicians deal with, and how are they received both at home and abroad.

Let's give this music the respect it deserves. Please do not simply drop names and leave...explore the artists you want us to explore...there is a story behind each one of them, and I'd like to hear as much of those stories as you care to share!

I'd like to focus on non-Western music if possible,

Doesn't that preclude European music? :p

Anyway, click on "Kent - Den Döda vinkeln." (http://www.engstrand.nu/promos.htm)

I'm drinking my version of an iced-cappucino (wicked strong instant coffee with condensed milk over ice), and listening to Jacques Brel. Oh Jacques, you annoyed me at first, but somehow you crept up on me while I wasn't looking, and now I understand what all the fuss is about! Who can resist your suave tones, and who does not feel like their heart is being torn out when you sing, "Ne Me Quitte Pas"? Wow.

If I never gave music a chance beyond the first hearing, I can hardly imagine how less enjoyable my life would be. I'll listen to anything more than once...sometimes I'll force myself to suffer through it three, four, five times if someone I trust has recommended it to me. It's rare that something in the music hasn't captivated me at that point. And every once in a while, when I stumble across a gem like Zap Mamma, I wonder, why the hell didn't I know about this incredible, soaring masterpiece of a song before? WHY? What else am I missing?

I find that the music I enjoy the most is not what I have easy access to. I want to hear what is considered classic, considered timeless, and preferably from countries other than the US and Canada. It's not that I don't love North American music...I really do. But it's easy to get. When someone passes me a copy of something like Sol y Lluvia, who most North Americans have never heard of, yet who could sell more tickets to a show that most big North American acts, I feel a little thrill. Not because our music is worse...it isn't worse, it isn't better, taken as a whole.

I'd like your suggestions, yes, that's the point of this thread. Sharing, as has been done before, suggestions for good music. I'd like to focus on non-Western music if possible, specific artists, and specific songs for those of us who have yet to experience these artists. Consider yourself a tour-guide for musicians found outside of the West, and give us a bit of background if you can...what style of music is it, what time period is it from, what themes do these musicians deal with, and how are they received both at home and abroad.

Let's give this music the respect it deserves. Please do not simply drop names and leave...explore the artists you want us to explore...there is a story behind each one of them, and I'd like to hear as much of those stories as you care to share!

I dont know if "Kitaro" fits what you're looking for, but I enjoy his music from time to time with a hot cup of green ginger tea.

Aside from Italian opera-I also like Pink Floyd played by a philharmonic orchestra and Metallica played by Swedish guys with chellos.

I dont know if "Kitaro" fits what you're looking for, but I enjoy his music from time to time with a hot cup of green ginger tea.

Aside from Italian opera-I also like Pink Floyd played by a philharmonic orchestra and Metallica played by Swedish guys with chellos.

They are called Apocalyptica and really are worth checking out.

Doesn't that preclude European music? :p
Yes, somewhat. Use your judgement though...avoid the artists you think most NSers have ready access to and experience with if you can. By Western, I had in my mind less of a geographical area than a language really (English), but I didn't want all music in English to be dismissed...

Anyway:). It is, of course, up to you.

Anyway:). It is, of course, up to you.

Well, I edited the post and added a link to a video of a band I like.

I dont know if "Kitaro" fits what you're looking for, but I enjoy his music from time to time with a hot cup of green ginger tea.

Aside from Italian opera-I also like Pink Floyd played by a philharmonic orchestra and Metallica played by Swedish guys with chellos.
Well don't make us guess...who is 'Kitaro'? What kind of music, from where, what does it make you feel, are there specific songs you would recommend...history, background if you have it...I for one want to be introduced to these artists through your perception of them, not via a Googled search.

Well, I edited the post and added a link to a video of a band I like.
Thank you:)

They are called Apocalyptica and really are worth checking out.

You got it. It sounds nuts when someone just explains that to you, but when you listen to it, it makes sense.

Well don't make us guess...who is 'Kitaro'? What kind of music, from where, what does it make you feel, are there specific songs you would recommend...history, background if you have it...I for one want to be introduced to these artists through your perception of them, not via a Googled search.

I believe he's Japanese, the music calms and relaxes me. The music gives me a tranquil and Asian feel. I picked one of his cds up in an import section, have gotten another since.

I didnt know I was going to get a fucking homeork assignment !
I'd give you one of them if you were nearby to get you and your questions off my back!

Fifties and sixties in Chile (comitted suicide in 1967). She gained international fame for more than her music, she painted, wove tapestries, wrote poetry and was very outspoken politically. She also created a sort of community for artists and musicians, a travelling circus of sorts actually, but made up not of clowns but music. She travelled Chile, seeking out traditional music and recording it before it died out. Her music is very basic, using traditional Latin American styles such as the pericona, bolero, refalosa, cueca, tonada etc. Her voice, in itself would have been fairly unremarkable were it not for the incredible depth of emotion she is able to convey...she makes your heart scream in agony when she sings about one of her children dying in infancy, she can make you feel outraged at the injustice of the treatment of mine workers...even if you don't speak a single word of Spanish her music moves you.

Probably her most well-known song is "Gracias a la Vida" (Here's to life) which has been covered by Joan Baez, and pretty much everyone else...it's been translated into dozens of languages, and is the song that first drew my attention to her. I learned how to play guitar just to sing this woman's songs...I can not express enough how such simple music can be at the same time so complex, and so powerful. I can play in the middle of a loud, drunken crowd, and that damn song (Gracias a la Vida) commands instant silence every time. INSTANT SILENCE. From drunks, that is something. If you ever get the chance to hear it, please do.

*sigh*

Enya

I believe he's Japanese, the music calms and relaxes me. The music gives me a tranquil and Asian feel. I picked one of his cds up in an import section, have gotten another since.

I didnt know I was going to get a fucking homeork assignment !
I'd give you one of them if you were nearby to get you and your questions off my back!
Hehehehe...well the fact is, I'm more likely to go pick up something by an artist that someone feels passionate about. If it's just 'easy listening' to you, I'm not interested:) In your case, however, I suspect that feeling calm, tranquil and relaxed just from listening to music is significant...and it might be worth a listen!

Calogero and Keren Ann are great French singers. a good song to check out is a duet from them called "juste un peu de silence" (a just little silence). for those that want to check it out but dont know french, this is a translation of the lyrics:

All this din
Stained tears
Until the end desarme

All is not known as
Hardly described
Drawn from the lapse of memory

Time to say
Time to conceal
Time to make right recognition
Time to hear
A just little silence

Nothing significant
That essence
A measurement goes away

One nothing left
With the range
Of an impotent life

Time to write
Time to hear
Time to make right recognition
Time to hear
A just little silence

The face plunged with ground
The face plunged with ground
To close one moment its eyelids
To seek what lights us

During this time
Time is buried
Time to make right recognition
Time to hear
A just little
A just little silence.

Sigur Rós - Icelandic music
Spinvis - Dutch
Vive la fete - Belgian (singing in french)

All from Western countries, but certainly not mainstream music, but also still quite normal.

You already know Jacques Brel, I see :p

I can give more dutch music, both mainstream and some weirder stuff :)

Too bad that I can't remember the Finnish music I used to have :(

Also: Manu Chao or Bjork, but those are very well known :)

I highly recommend Argentina's "Los Fabulosos Cadillacs". You should check out either their album "Rey Azucar" or one of their two greatest hits collection "Vasos Vacios" (my favorite, which contains pre-1993 hits) or "20 grandes exitos" (which includes hits from all of their albums).

It is very difficult to describe this band. Amazon has the following review for the Rey Azucar album:

Imagine a mix of The Toasters, Joe Ely, Khaled, Les Negresses Vertes, and Tito Puente and you might get a vague notion about this Argentine pop band. Lots of horns, loud electric guitars, fat funky bass, and a varied Latin and rock percussion sound give the record lots of spice. They also offer some star power on this record: Mick Jones of the Clash tosses off a few lines. Big Youth toasts. Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz produce. Debbie Harry is lost in the mix on a strange take of "Strawberry Fields Forever." It's the beauty of the beast that nothing makes particular sense in this strange brew of cultures and clashes. --Louis Gibson

LFC uses reggae, ska, salsa, punk, thrash, and other influences. Sometimes they will stick to one music type for a specific song, other times they will mix several styles into one song.


On second thought. Argentina obviously counts as western, so nevermind.

J-pop
Utada Hikaru-Exodus, Kremlin Dusk, Fly me to the Moon
born & raised in NY(?), 'Hikki' as she is affectionately called tried to cross over into mainstream Am. markets, but failed due to poor marketing & planning by her record label

BoA-Jewel Song, Every Heart, No. 1,
created by SM Entertainment as a cross-cultural pop star, BoA is a south korean singer who has released albums in both korea & japan. in 2004, she was awarded "Most influential asian artist" and "favorite artist korea" at the 2004 MTV asia awards in singapore.

Yoko Ishida-just about anything...
she has done many songs for different anime, including Gunparade March, Texhnolyze, and others. she has begun an Anime Fusion Tour of the US, visiting several malls throughout 2005-06. it ends at the Ingram PArk Mall in San Antonio, TX on 02-04-2006.
go to www.geneonlounge.com for more information

J-Rock
The Pillows-Come Back, Ride on Shooting Star, Little Busters
a japanese rock band known most notably for their work in the anime FLCL (Fooly Cooly, Furi Kuri) the band consists of Kenji Ueda (Bass) Shinichiro Sato (Drums) with Yoshiaki Manabe (Guitar), and Sawao Yamanaka (Vocals). in march of 05, they played at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX. fro mtheir, they began a tour of other Am. cities such as NYC, Seattle, LA, Chicago, & San Francisco. ^__^

On second thought. Argentina obviously counts as western, so nevermind.:p

My favourite song of theirs is "El Matador":)

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra - an amazing Japanese Ska band

Orquestra de la Luz - a Japanese salsa group. They have been mistaken for a "real" latin group more than once (including the first time I heard them)

The Blue Hearts - a favorite j-punk band, sometimes called the Japanese Ramones. This is one of my 2 favorite J bands of all times. "Train Train" and "Linda Linda" were their biggest hits.

The Blue Heart's drummer Tetsuya Kajiwara also recently played with Salsa Gum Tape - a "freak-out psychadelic punk-rock act" featuring "Buddhist monks on guitar and a chorus of thirteen mentally retarded people banging assorted percussion" as one reviewer described them.

Shang Shang Typhoon - a pop Okinawan folk roots group. My other favorite J band. These guys a pure fun. And their cover of the Beatles "Let it Be" is outstanding.

I discovered Zap Mama about a year ago, but when I mentioned them on here, almost every one said "huh?". For an old poot, I have pretty varied musical tastes. I subscribe to Rhapsody music service (for $10 a month you can't beat it) and spend hours exploring music from other cultures.

As for music styles that I have found to be largely unexplored here on NS, I'm going to have to go with an American ethnic form....Delta Blues. They're passionate and engrained with a pathos perculiar to that region. You need to start with the legend and music of Robert Johnson, then spread out from there.

Boris. Japanese stoner metal. What's not to love?

Well, then, I will have to get this page to pick up:

A Swedish hit a summer or so ago. (http://www.raymondochmaria.se/ingen_large_wmv.html) It's about nobody missing you when you're dead and nobody caring enough about you to ask you where you bought your new sweater.

An interesting Croatian song about the Biblical Mary Magdalene. (http://media.putfile.com/Maria-Magdalena)

And of course, a nice Greek song called "Me logia ellinika." (http://media.putfile.com/Me-logia-Ellinika)

Cute German techno pop. (http://media.putfile.com/Wieder-hier) This one is really fun! :D

Bah, no good music ever came from my country.

Remember those annoying guys with that "Noomamooma" song? They're not technically Romanian, but they sing in Romanian. (The chorus actually is "Nu mã, nu mã iei" - and it means... ah, whatever.)

Metallica played by Swedish guys with chellos.
Finnish, and they do have their own songs too you know ;)

Bah, no good music ever came from my country.

Remember those annoying guys with that "Noomamooma" song? They're not technically Romanian, but they sing in Romanian. (The chorus actually is "Nu mã, nu mã iei" - and it means... ah, whatever.)

Aren't they from Moldova?

I'm drinking my version of an iced-cappucino (wicked strong instant coffee with condensed milk over ice),

Ok. As a Washington (State) trained Barista, I have to say this... ethnicity or no... (concerning your ...gaak... choice of beverage)

HEATHEN!

Hmm, where to begin..... For starters I highly suggest Kaizer's Orchestra, Molotov, The Mad Capsule Markets, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, GO!GO!7188, m1dy, and then Sex Machineguns to finish things off.

Kitaro (any)
Infected Mushroom (Israeli Goa/Psytrance)
Johnny Klegg and Savuka
Hugh Masekela (Lots of good South African "Protest Jazz")
Rebbe Soul (Hebrew HipHop/Klemzer)
Alistair Black Didgeridoo
Ravi Shankar
Geinoh Yamashirogumi (if you can find more than the Akira soundtrack)

And a bunch of others in my collection I can't remember off hand...

From the nation of Georgia, the group Zedashe (zay-daash-ay).

I learned about them from the BBC (article and clip here (http://www.theworld.org/globalhits/2005/09/28.shtml)), and have become hooked. They draw from a tradition that predates Gregorian Chant, and it's wonderful.

It's difficult to find their CDs in the west, but their latest can be purchased here (http://www.northernharmony.pair.com/store/details/GErasising_of_lazare.html)

Rebbe Soul (Hebrew HipHop/Klemzer)


Now that's some great stuff. His version of Avinu (prayer for forgiveness) gives me goosebumps.

I've always liked Japanese rock band Luna Sea.

I'm a fan of music in the various Celtic traditions (and by this I do not mean Enya. :headbang:) While Celtic is "Western" by one definition, it's sufficiently outside the pop mainstream that I think it qualifies under your definition.

Alyth McCormack is an outstanding Gaelic vocalist from Scotland (Isle of Lewis, if memory serves). Her CD An Iomall: The Edge is a mix of traditional Gaelic songs combined with some modern influences.

Mary Jane Lamond is a well-known Gaelic vocalist from Cape Breton in Canada. She's best known for providing the Gaelic vocals on Ashley MacIsaac's top 10 hit "Sleepy Maggie", but she has a number of CDs of her own also. Suas e! is probably her most popular - all of the songs are traditional Gaelic songs from the Cape Breton tradition, but on a number of them she adds some modern pop influences. In my opinion, her best CD is Orain Ghaidhlig: Gaelic Songs of Cape Breton, which is purely traditional.

Kornog is an interesting band from Brittany. Check out their CD Korong for a mix of Breton, Scottish and Irish influences.

That being said, my personal obsession is with Cape Breton fiddle music. Natalie MacMaster is the best known fiddler from there - check out her live CD; disk 2 is a pure joy. Her uncle Buddy MacMaster is the fiddler who other Cape Breton fiddlers aspire to emulate; try his CD The Judique Flyer. Other Cape Breton must-haves include Jerry Holland's Master Cape Breton Fiddler and Crystal Clear, Howie MacDonald's The Dance Last Night, Why2Keilidh and CapeBretonFiddleMusicNOTCALM (with Ashley MacIsaac), Jennifer Roland's Wings, and Beolach's self-titled CD. All of these and a lot more available here (http://capebretonisland.com/Music/Charlies/). (Best little music store in Cape Breton. I'm an extremely satisfied customer.)

:p

I'm a fan of music in the various Celtic traditions (and by this I do not mean Enya. :headbang:)
Yeah? How do you feel about Clannad (http://www.clannad.ie/)..?
;)

Mary Jane Lamond
Natalie MacMaster
I've heard that one song...but I heard something recently, and I can't remember if it was Mary Jane singing or Natalie playing the fiddle...was it a rap song, pop song, what I don't know...it caught my attention and I can't for the life of me remember even what style it was, just "you have to download that"...any ideas as to what song this could be? Not much to go on, I know....sorry!

I've heard that one song...but I heard something recently, and I can't remember if it was Mary Jane singing or Natalie playing the fiddle...was it a rap song, pop song, what I don't know...it caught my attention and I can't for the life of me remember even what style it was, just "you have to download that"...any ideas as to what song this could be? Not much to go on, I know....sorry!

Hm, that's pretty vague. Maybe something off of Natalie's recent bluegrass CD? It did pretty well commercially, and got some radio airplay.

If it had Gaelic vocals, it was Mary Jane Lamond (Natalie doesn't speak much Gaelic, and doesn't sing much in any language.) Mary Jane has had four CDs of her own and has appeared as a guest vocalist with several other artists, so I can't pin it down based on that alone. I have just about everything that either of them has ever recorded, so if you give me a bit more to go on I might be able to figure it out.

Yeah? How do you feel about Clannad..?
I'm pretty indifferent to them. I'm actually pretty indifferent to Enya's music, too; it's the Enya phenomenon that bugs me. Too many people think all Celtic music is like Enya - she's all they know about it. Her music is pretty enough, I guess, but it bears as much resemblence to what I listen to as Cool-Whip does to real whipped cream.

:p

They are called Apocalyptica and really are worth checking out.

And they're not Swedish. They're from Finland

I discovered Zap Mama about a year ago, but when I mentioned them on here, almost every one said "huh?". For an old poot, I have pretty varied musical tastes. I subscribe to Rhapsody music service (for $10 a month you can't beat it) and spend hours exploring music from other cultures.
Zap Mama are a damn fine band - very good to chill out to. I saw them live a few years back, alongside a couple of other, stunnning South African singers - one of the best concerts I've ever been to.

As for music styles that I have found to be largely unexplored here on NS, I'm going to have to go with an American ethnic form....Delta Blues. They're passionate and engrained with a pathos perculiar to that region. You need to start with the legend and music of Robert Johnson, then spread out from there.
Or if you want to hear the link between African music and the Blues established before your very ears, there's the incredible Ali Fake Toure, from Mali. He's just released a CD with Toumani Diabete, which should be excellent.

North Africa has been turning out some really cool electro/pop music recently. From the Sahara, Tinariwen's Amasakoul is a good place to start. In similar vein, Flamenco has gone electric: the Futuro Flamenco compilation is an easy introduction.

Korpiklaani: Finnish joik and folk mixed with Heavy Metal and beer music :cool:

And they're not Swedish. They're from Finland

Swedish, Finnish-whats the difference?


:p

Swedish, Finnish-whats the difference?


:p
language and culture, for starters

anyone know any cool sitar music i can chill out to? (hippie/60s style optional)

its a long shot but you never know :)

Leningrad Cowboys!

anyone know any cool sitar music i can chill out to? (hippie/60s style optional)

its a long shot but you never know :)

I chill out to Tabla Beat Science. find the album "Tala Matrix". I also recommend the Ravi Shankar/Philip Glass collaboration, "Passages".

They are called Apocalyptica and really are worth checking out.

They're amazing. I saw them live when they played with Rammstein, who are also worth checking out.

I chill out to Tabla Beat Science. find the album "Tala Matrix". I also recommend the Ravi Shankar/Philip Glass collaboration, "Passages".
ah i know phillip glass - good stuff - i'll check that out thanks :)

any more suggestions? :)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - my architecture teacher is always playing them during class; their cool

T.M. Revolution (J-Rock) - some of their music is in the anime I watch and it's enjoyable

These (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002F7M6I/qid=1132194756/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9871141-7008722?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) CDs; Putomayo World Groove and Putomayo World Lounge, are great collections of foreign music that I start swinging to when they pop up on my iPod. It really is a Great introduction to world music, and I've heard the company's other CDs are good as well...

EDIT: Zap Mama is in World groove with her song Miss. Q. In.

ah i know phillip glass - good stuff - i'll check that out thanks :)

any more suggestions? :)
Ravi Shankar is the one you're looking for.

Or try one of Hariprasad Chaurasia's ragas. Not sitar, but serious chilling out music.

Ravi Shankar is the one you're looking for.

Tanamana is probably his best known CD in the US...

There was a singer or song from India in '97 ish that was called "Dalbi Rob Rob' or similar spelling. It was popular on MTV India. I've been trying to find it on the net but haven't been able to locate it. Any suggestions?

Step One: Download iTunes.
Step Two: Install iTunes.
Step Three: Load iTunes.
Step Four: Click Radio
Step Five: Click triangle by International
Step Six: Choose between Iranian, Japanese, Arabic, and Indian. And jewish as well.

The most scary/fun foreign music video I have ever stumbled upon:
Tunak Tunak Tun (http://www.no-nothingrock.com/articles/daler/)

There was a singer or song from India in '97 ish that was called "Dalbi Rob Rob' or similar spelling. It was popular on MTV India. I've been trying to find it on the net but haven't been able to locate it. Any suggestions?

lol..it is Daler Mehndi.

It is Punjabi music called "Bhangra". Not particularly my type, but it seems to be popular amongst westerners who are exposed to it.

The White Hats

Ravi Shankar is the one you're looking for.

Or try one of Hariprasad Chaurasia's ragas. Not sitar, but serious chilling out music.

Hariprasad Chaurasia is a classical giant. Have you heard Balamurali Krishna?

In instrumentals, have you tried Ustad Amjad Ali Khan? Ustad Allah Rakha? Mandolin Srinivas?

There are two main streams in Indian classical music. Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian). Hindustani is great, but you should try Carnatic vocal and instrumental also. Especially Mirudangam, Veenai and Nadhaswaram instrumentals.

Rammstein they fucking rock. German is the best language for rock and roll ever, anything they say is awsome. You can say bless you in german and it sounds mean.

Okay, it's western, but here's another one. Check out the song "Falalalan" by the group "Joculatores Upsalienses". I thought it was kinda cool, it's a rendition of an old Spanish folk song, I think.

EDIT - Hmm...after some research, i'm not sure if it's a modern group, or if that was an original title of the work, or what's going on. Anyway, you should be able to find it.

Check out Einherjer. Theyre a great Viking Metal Band. They dont play anymore, but the stuff they did is worth it.

Check out Einherjer. Theyre a great Viking Metal Band. They dont play anymore, but the stuff they did is worth it.

How is that "non-western"?

How is that "non-western"?
Well I know it is definitely western, I just went with something most wouldnt know. Can't hurt rite? On another point, does anyone know the name of that indian singer in the peugeot commercial, the one with the elephant??

Check out Einherjer. Theyre a great Viking Metal Band. They dont play anymore, but the stuff they did is worth it.

Ugh, viking metal. *shudders*

Well I know it is definitely western, I just went with something most wouldnt know. Can't hurt rite? On another point, does anyone know the name of that indian singer in the peugeot commercial, the one with the elephant??

Meh, fair enough. I did that with my last post as well, so...
Ugh, viking metal. *shudders*

I'm going to start my own metal genre. Pirate metal.

"ARRRR! SCRATCHED MESELF WITH ME HOOK! ARRR!!! SWAB THE DECKS!!! ARR!! LET EM LOOSE AT THE LANDLUBBERS!!!!"

What do you think? :p

Ugh, viking metal. *shudders*
Whats wrong with viking metal?

There's an album available called Radio Tarifa which has a bunch of Spanish and North African musicians combining their traditional styles of music. Really, really good.

Also if you like North African style music there is the No Quarter album by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant which has various Led Zep songs reworked with Moroccan and Egyptian musicians playing on it.

I'm going to start my own metal genre. Pirate metal.
Running Wild beat you to it :D