be Bruce Springsteen. The numerous anthems on his much-anticipated first full-length album with the E Street Band in 18 years are subtler than those of the Born to Run era. But the elements are all there: the joyous rocking strains of "Countin' on a Miracle," "Mary's Place," and "Waitin' on a Sunny Day"; the dark overtones of "Further on Up the Road"; the stunning guitar solo that closes "Worlds Apart," a dramatic Arabic-tinged piece detailing star-crossed love between a Muslim and an "infidel." Although most of these songs deal with death and tragedy, they still inspire. But while the lyrics are intriguing, what's more remarkable is how well The Rising works as epic rock & roll as it draws from rockabilly, soul, doo-wop hard rock, country, and even industria...  (less)

styles from the Middle East. For example, the jazzy pathos of klezmer music reflects shtetl (village) life in Russia and Poland during the early 20th century, while the Arabic-tinged Sephardic repertoire dates from medieval times and then back to Sinai. This thoughtfully assembled sampler covers the major roots and branches plus some bonus oddities. Among the stand-outs are Israeli folk singer Chava Alberstein singing with The Klezmatics, a love song from the late Yemenite chanteuse Ofra Haza, and pianist Uri Caine's avant-garde treatment of a 13th-century Moroccan text. The American ex-hippie Uzca, who sings in an imaginary language, is in a class of his own. --Christina Roden  (less)

musical gestures. Eclipse --produced by Grateful Dead drummer and world-music champion Mickey Hart--exploits elastic rhythms and repetitive motifs in moody, majestic pieces like "Helalisa," the lovelorn song of an Egyptian field hand, and "Your Love Is Ever Young," inspired by Egypt's late queen of song, Um Kalthoum. Fans of Turkish oud masters (like the great Udi Hrant) will find El Din's penetrating tone and attack familiar, though his arrangements and vocal accompaniments are a different beast altogether, producing an evocative, melancholy music that draws on several traditions simultaneously. --James Rotondi  (less)

the way to Cordoba in Moorish Spain. His genius and innovation in music laid the foundation for a unique music later to become Flamenco. Other influences on flamenco were the Byzantine chants and the gypsy eastern heritage (which is similar in many ways to the Arabic music and culture.) Titles of this CD are real life experiences and travels around the world. “Byzantine woman” is about an experience of secrets revealed by a Fortune Teller in Istanbul. “Woman of the palace” is a song of an enchanting night spent in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. “Missing You” reveals an attraction to a woman in Aroche near Portugal and the ensuing months of love a la flamenca. This spilled later i...  (less)

of a flourishing musical culture – including trance drumming, hip-hop, orchestral music, Arabic love songs and spicy horn sections – and incorporates influences from Egypt to Congo and from the White Nile to the Blue Nile.  (less)

the result is The Orient meets Funk & Soul Brothers & Sisters. 17 classic blaxploitation tracks recorded in an Arabic pop style, including James Brown’s 'Sex Machine', Stevie Wonder’s 'Superstition', Barry White’s 'Love Theme' and Curtis Mayfield’s 'Move On Up'. This album is a explosive array of Arabic Funk with most songs in English. EMI. 2007.  (less)

is hidden in the soul, and happiness can only be found after one has taken the path of love.  (less)

such as Rachel  (less)

tradition and songs from the Nuba mountains that show strong black African influence. They revive Sudanese secular music traditions, sounding intriguingly like a vintage rock-and-roll group.  (less)

and the spoken wizardry of Jesse Wolf Hardin. Contributing to this special mix are the angelic voiced Loba, acclaimed singer/songwriters Jenny Bird and Joanne Rand, Ricardo Mendoza and Carlos Lomas on Arabic oud and flamenco guitar.... and a 93 year old Tewa medicine man blessing this recording and its message of Earth and Spirit! Interspersed are a roaring Kokopelli drum jam, bamboo flute and Buddhist toning, a Syrian love song and rockin’ Spanish-flavored dance piece– a musical celebration of personal and planetary interconnectedness. Wolf Hardin is one of a handful of pre-rap wordsmiths who set their powerfully spoken work to music, along with Joy Harjo, John Trudell and...  (less)

French or Arabic, dependent upon the song). Fronted by vocalists and songwriters Kamel El Habchi and Mounir Mirghani, who are only in their early 20s, the group combines elements of Middle Eastern, reggae, Latin, funk, and dance music into a lively pop blend that is continually upbeat. There are many interesting moments within Donia --Egyptian string orchestra over pulsating bass and beats ("Ne me jugez pas"), the soulful vocals of Natacha Atlas paired with live dumbek and programmed rhythms ("Ness"), and flamenco guitars woven into a pop setting ("Andalucia"). Some may find Sawt El Atlas a little too mainstream in its fusion, but this group performs its peppy world pop with zeal. It may be hard to resist the urge to groove along. --Bryan Reesman  (less)