Recommendations for Arab and Mid-Eastern fusion.

Already shopping for Rasha and Tinariwen.
Thanks much, but won't mind keeping going.
Dhafer is hard to match by any though IMHO.

I loves me some oud for sure. Check out Anouar Brahem. My fav is on ECM, "Le pas du chat noir".

If you go over to the 6moons website and click on music you will find that Srajan has a very eclectic taste for possibly some of the music you seek

New York Gypsy All-Stars - Romantech - Terrific music!

Tamer Pinabasi - Soundscapes/The Secret Trio: A new concept in Chamber Music - Featuring 2 members of the NYGAS, it's stunning! You can find many clips of these 2 rec's on Youtube, check 'em out!

Tinariwen group, is definitely an excellent choice. Their music is kind of Sahra-blues which is so unique on its genre.I went see them on concert two times and there are phenomenal.

Some of my favorites Middle-eastern/Mediterranean are:
- Under the Olive Tree
Ron, Yuval Ensemble (Music from Israel and Middle-east)

- A Wish
El Din, Hamza (an egyptian/soudanais) whom also played Oud with some of famous jazzmen and musicians) This recording is very good too.

- Thimar, Le Pas Du Chat Noir (the foot-print of black cat)
Anouar Brahem (a fusion of Oud with Jazz, excellent on live concerts, he is an Oud musician from Tunisia whom lives in France and played with people like Dave Holland and some famous french accordion players)

- Mozart L'Egyptien
Milen Natchev (an interesting interpretation of Mozart with Middle-eastern themes and voice!)

- Oud Vibrations: East Meets West
Ahmed Abdul-Malik & Chick Ganimian (an excellent old Jazz-Oud fusion, I got the lp and I am not sure about CD quality)

cheers,
Michel