As modernized as some music from the Arabic world has become, there are still many offerings aimed toward those who prefer a sound untouched by contemporary whims. You won't hear much in the way of cutting edge on these two CDs, but given their deep roots in differing aspects of Arabic music, you won't need any.

Adnan, Samir and Wissam Joubran are Palestinian brothers each exceptionally skilled on the oud, that increasingly familiar pear-shaped lute found in various forms throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Randana features a triumvirate of ouds and nothing else. Whether playing sparingly or with fingers flying, the brothers are capable of seamless unison as well as threefold excursions that fly high individually but nonetheless fit together perfectly. The range and reach of the oud is made crystal clear on this recording, as is how refined, delicate and distinctly aggressive the instrument can be in the right hands. The oud has reportedly been around for 4,000 years. Le Trio Joubran help show just how graceful that aging process has been.