Asia

From raags and Indonesian gamelan to qawwali and the east-west pop stylings of China, the music of Asia is as diverse as its terrain and cultures. At first intimidating in scope, this rich and varied continent offers a multitude of sonic experiences that fall well outside western notions of musical scales and time. Once this diverse musical arena is entered, however, the fresh and challenging sounds prove addicting, and few listeners turn back. Witness the hauntingly spare, strained vocals of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan singing traditional North Indian qawwali songs that vividly evoke village life. Or wrap your ears around the enchantingly sweet percussion of Indonesian gamelan, as teased out by court performers Gamelon of Kraton Yogyakarta. Perhaps the deep, throaty, startling Tuvan Throat Singing will have you running out to buy Huun-Huur-Tu, to whom you'll listen in puzzled wonder as one voice manages to sing both melody and accompaniment. Whatever your poison, westerners -- and western musicians -- are increasingly turning to the tunes of the East for inspiration and pure musical enjoyment.