 | Al-Jadida by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.00 Where I started with Rabih. "al-Jadida" is an album with a strong sense of the dramatic. Every song tells a story. At first you hear a sax with an oud. Keep on, and you will hear the genius.
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 | Bukra by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy used from: $15.93 "Bukra" is similar to "al-Jadida" in its instrumentation. I'm just getting into this one. It takes multiple listens.
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 | Blue Camel by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy used from: $7.89 This is an excellent jazz album. If you come to Rabih from a jazz background, then buy this one first, or "Sultan's Picnic". The songs are all well-conceived. A hit!
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 | Tarab by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $4.50 Start here if you're coming from a Middle Eastern music background, or with "Roots and Sprouts". Not as good as that one melodically, but still an intense, interesting experience of the ears.
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 | Roots & Sprouts by Rabih Abou-khalil
Buy used from: $22.69 Sublime. It is complex, and so tuneful. Yassin el-Achek on violin with Rabih on oud and Selim Kusur on flute -- the perfect mix; everybody is great. This is my #2 favorite Rabih album. Rewarding.
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 | Nafas by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $14.00 Rabih's first album. It's the one miss with me. It's very soundscape-y, but I just don't find it intriguing. Most Rabih albums do a lot of weaving of instruments; not here. Ambience.
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 | Arabian Waltz by Rabih Abou-khalil
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $10.72 Musical perfection. My favorite Rabih album -- indeed, my favorite album in all of my music collection. The strings work flawlessly with Rabih's picking, and tuba and tambourine are delectable.
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 | Yara by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.99 There's a very sparse sound to this album. It's intense, but the songs are only developed for 2 to 3 minutes at a time, unlike other Rabih albums. Good, though.
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 | Sultan's Picnic by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.14 Don't have this one yet, but I've heard snatches. The biggest adaption a listener will have to make is getting used to the harmonica. Shouldn't be a problem with time, though.
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 | Astrakan Cafe by Anouar Brahem
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $10.99 Where to go from Rabih? Anouar Brahem, who I actually think has a better knack for melody. Brahem makes BEAUTIFUL music. This, or "Thimar" -- recommended.
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