"For me the Rough Guide "Best Of..." series has always had a whiff of what Edward Said described as "orientalism" about it. They are records that seem to lack any depth of knowledge about music beyond the UK and US, and often lump disparate artists together under some vague grouping as "Arabic Music". "The Best Arabic Music You've Never Heard", while good in places, seems to continue this tradition. While there are some interesting tracks on the record, such as the jazz infused "S'ayda", elsewhere the record slips into familiar territory of Café Del Mar easy listening style exotica".
