Some Music I like

Two music recommendations. I've been listening to "Acoustic Arabia" which is a CD put out by Putumayo. Of course it does not even begin to scratch the surface. As they say it is a musical realm as vast and varied as the 325 million Arabs spread across 2 continents and living in 22 countries. But its a good jumping off place with links to many different musicians. I particularly like the group Zaman who are referred to as "the Arabic Gipsy Kings." Theres also a group called "Les Orientales" with musicians from France and Algiers paying tribute to the Algerian music hall era. Each selection highlights an area or style . Mention is also made of a recording called "The Ras Project: A Musical Journey in Sinai" which might be worth looking into.

My other recommendation is Bruno Mars, Doo Wops and Hooligans. Yes its pop music with some rap, reggae, even a Hawaiian feel. He grew up there in a family of musicians.Not heavy stuff, but infectious, clever goofy lyrics, and like they used to say on Bandstand, "you can dance to it". I love the little guy. Particularly like "Just the Way You Are, Marry You, The Lazy Song, and Liquor Store Blues".