Am'r Diab; "Tamally Ma'ak"
A very popular Egyptian singer, almost always sings in Arabic. The song above is dynamite, and I have rarely met a Westerner who did not like it ALOT.
I know that one of the Buddha Bar compliation CDs included it not too long ago, and though you cannot find a better Chil Out/Down Tempo compliation, I do not have that particular volume (must have been released when I was away from a major market).
I have most of Diab's releases, and alot of unreleased as well, as Arabic is my 1st langauge.
I would add, as corny as Deepak Chopra is, the combination of Rumi's poetry and a fantastic instrumental makes it a keeper:
Deepak Chopra and Demi Moore (yes, THE actress), "Desire."
"Mima'akim" by the Idan Raichel Project (think I might have offered this as well on a regular 20 track compliation thread due to my propensity for having a couple of down tempo tracks ).
The song, in Hebrew, and Ahmraic, a related language spoken in Ethiopia, and is also included on Buddha, but I have seen different versions on MOS (both Chill Out and more traditional Electronic genres).
The song is a love song, one very popular with us soldiers in the 2006 War, the lyrics caused a great many tears.
"Is Your Love Not Strong Enough," absolute master bar none, Bryan Ferry. The song was in a cheesy movie, "Legend," starring of all people, Tom "Psychology Is A Fraud" Cruise.
Though the film is horid, it WAS directed by Ridley Scott and if any director has earned a lemon, Scott has. Love most of his films...
Oum Khaltoum ,"Yally Kan Yeshgeek Aneini (Banzai Republic Remix)" ...Another Arabic joint, off the Buddha Volume #6, CD #2, the first track on the set, by DJ Ravin, massive even for English speakers.