i've been listening to quite a bit of stuff that falls within this very loose category of late. i say very loose because i know there are all sorts of different styles practised withing the middle east, but mainly i've been checking for quite a bit of shaabi (hesham abbass, hakim, and on a more traditional tip, nas al ghiwanne - great live outfit, incidentally if you get the chance to see them) and rai (have been LOVING yah rayi, the latest album by khaled. so all tips welcome, but i wouldn't mind being seriously taken to school by someone who actually knows what they're on about because i'm pretty much totally clueless.