Middle Eastern, North African music these days?

Another great place for sampling is [url]http://www.grooveshark.com[/url]. They don't have everything but you'll be astonished at what is available for listening - complete songs, not just samples as on emusic or amazon. I just did a search for Cheb Khaled, whom I've never heard of, and there are three complete albums available. I'm not sure how it's legal or how long it will last so take advantage of it while you can.

I'll check this out. Thank you.

Some really fine suggestions here.

Abdel Gadir Salim and Abdel Aziz El Mubarak from Sudan are really good.

Not North African, but Gigi from Ethiopia is terrific. Her debut album from 2001 is my favorite of hers.

Check Amazon to listen to samples.

I've been listening to African music for many years and there is still so much I have not heard. Some of the first music from there I heard was Osibisa, back when I was in college...

RX8man, I really like the Cheb Khaled & Safy Boutella Kutche album. I've had it for a long time.... on vinyl!

Another gem is 'Emociones' by the 25 Years Network. It is a 3 disc set that spans most of Africa, a little of So. America and some of South/Eastern. Europe, but mostly Africa.
Wonderfully recorded despite the age.
Spans a lot of genres.

Yep, I owned the first two Osibisa Lps. And don't discount Paul Simon's Graceland (only LP I can stand of his ;-)).

Here are some more S. African artists I enjoy. These all have labels from record stores in S. Africa. Kind of neat.

Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Country Cooking and Procession

Sipho Mabuse, Chant of the Marching

Winston Mankunku, Jika

and this on really grabs me
Chris McGregor, Louis Moholo, and Dudu Pukwana, Blue Notes for Johnny