The universal language?

Dekay, the Basque recording intrigues me, I'll try to find it. For tango, try Astor Piazzola's music; very passionate stuff. There has been quite a lot of interest in his music as of late by well known artists; Gidon Kremer is high on the list. A good starting point is "Zero Hour" recorded with his own group. More sophisticated than much traditional tango, but every bit as sexy. Enjoy.

Glad to see such honest interest in the wonderful music of other nations. There is so much to appreciate and learn; I am mystified by the fact that many music lovers don't tap these resources more often. Tracing the evolution of more familiar music, as Issabre points out, can be fascinating. By the way Issabre, I first heard the music of Saleif Kaita in 1985 when my sister moved to Africa to work for the UN and insisted that I check his music out; I was knocked out. His recording "Soro" is one of my favorites; I'd be curious of your take on this record. It is so easy to dismiss the sounds and tonalities of some ethnic music as strange or even too "primitive" because our ears, used to the tonalities and rhythms of Western culture-rooted music don't know quite what to do with them; and unfortunately many of us don't give them enough of a chance. Jayboard, I am reminded of the first time I heard traditional Japanese folk music; I just couldn't get it. But it was after having had the opportunity to familiarize myself with that culture that the door began to open, and I began to understand how soulful some of that music can actually be. Soulful was not an adjective that I ever would have used to describe that music previously; man was I wrong. I realize that not everyone will have the opportunity to travel to Japan (or other countries) several times, as I have had; but this brings up another interesting (to me) experience. I find that the experience of learning to appreciate the music of another country is enhanced by exposing oneself to other aspects of that culture; the language, visual arts, and most fun to me, the food. They are all interrelated on certain levels. Regards to all and keep the recommendations coming.