It is said that music can tame the wild beast.

But sometimes that beast is better left unleashed, and is better encouraged!

My personal musical interests are widely varied, yet when it comes to setting the mood, certain musicians and tones work better than others. And in a world of music, many varieties of music can be easily over-looked.

Granted, these musicians will not be everybody’s cup of tea, yet some may be surprised. My musical tastes for intimate environments veer towards ethnic tribal sounds, with varied tempos and little to no-words. Add some candlelight, a little bit of wine, chocolate, scented oils and voila!

1) Azam Ali

Azam Ali is an Iranian American singer and musician. As of 2013, Ali has released seven full-length albums with the bands VAS and Niyaz, as well as four full-length solo albums.

2) Vas

Vas was an alternative world musical group composed of Persian vocalist Azam Ali and American percussionist Greg Ellis. Vas is frequently compared to the Australian band Dead Can Dance. The band released four full-length albums.

3) Niyaz

Niyaz is an Iranian-American musical trio created in 2005. They have produced four albums.

4) Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar was born in London into a Bengali Hindu family, and her childhood was divided between London and Delhi. She is a daughter of Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and Sukanya Shankar.

Her music is simply amazing.

5) Dead can Dance

I’m surprised by how many people know about Dead can Dance. Back in the day, I only ever heard them play at goth nightclubs. They are classified as neoclassical darkwave and have released 11 albums and four compilation albums.

6) Zoe Keating

A masterful, Canadian born cellist who produces amazing music by looping her music and playing to her own loops.

7) Norah Jones

The half-sister to Anoushka Shankar. Norah’s lyrics and music are soulful. She has produced five albums, several of which have won Grammy’s and are top sellers.

8) Enigma

With seven albums and 18 years of musical product, Enigma is a classic.

9) Deep Forest

Deep Forest is a musical group originally consisting of two French musicians, Michel Sanchez and Eric Mouquet. They compose a style of world music, sometimes called ethnic electronica, mixing ethnic with electronic sounds and dance beats or chill-out beats. They have produced 10 albums.

If you have other suggestions, please list them in the comments! I am always looking for new music.

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Editor: Rachel Nussbaum

Photo: elephant archives