If you are even in the least bit interested in Central Asian languages and cultures, I cannot recommend enough the ‘Music of Central Asia’ recordings out on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, a joint effort of the Smithsonian Institution and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Each installment features authentic folk traditions played by enthuasiastic and still young performers, without any of the World music crossover gimmickry that one must usually fear in these sort of productions. The liner notes include lyrics both in the original language (written in transliteration) and in English translation, and there’s plenty of background information on the instruments and musical styles involved.
Ismailimail 