Exotic vocal

Yma is certainly impressive. Another very unique sounding singer I would include here is Ethiopian-American Aster Aweke. Check her out on Y'Shebellu (Name of a River).

Aauugh! I have never been able to tolerate Middle Eastern music. It just doesn't work for me. However, I can add to the list of exotic singers. Please check out Zhu Zhe-qin or as some would know her Dadawa from her album Yellow Children. This was also released in an English version but I prefer her native Chinese....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlrlvnaEA3k

Ofra Haza was in Physical Graphiti album by Led Zeppelin in song Kashmire. That's LZ's journey to Middle Eastern music. Start from there and then perhaps will learn to appreciate.

Of all Middle Eastern singers I would say she is the most tolerable but there is something about the structure of the music that doesn't work for me.

Western music has very much its origin in the Middle Eastern music, like Westerners themselves. Another root is West African music and rhythms. I am mostly indifferent to Indian and Chinese music with some exceptions, like ragas played by Shankar. Still, won't listen to it much or often. Japanese music doesn't touch me either, I don't get it.