Name says it all. I’m looking for a mood-piece for a Shadowrun game I’m running that will have some scenes in the middle-east. I need something dancable that would have both a middle-eastern and techno feel, and I’ve no idea where to even start. A lack of vocals is a plus, but not fully necessary.
There is a good piece on Fifth Element (the movie with Bruce Willis) but the soundtrack album did not include it. You might want to search for it.
Khaled might not be techno enough for you on his original versions, but there are tons of remixes of Aicha that kick serious arse.
Ditto for Lisa Gerrard. Many of her songs have been remixed to death on any style of techno you fancy. The Host of Seraphim is the unlikely source of many of her best remixes.
And then there is Ofra Haza. Galbi is another of those songs that just begs to be remixed. She has plenty others. Don’t be disuaded by finding a couple of slow songs from her. They have all been remixed to techno.
You know, I was going to mention them but then I thought they were more ambient than techno. Then I went and searched for more of their work and some of that stuff is just perfect for an RPG session background music.
DJ Cheb I Sabbah does a good range of electronica in that vein. I would also second some Thievery Corporation and Anubian Lights, though they’re a bit more ambient. Although, for dark and sensual moody middle-eastern ambiance, nobody beats Azam Ali (her collaborative effort with Niyaz is worth checking out, as well).
Google rai and Rachid Taha, rai is north african music but might sound like you want, alot of it is techno-ised. Rachid Taha mixes rock, rai and electronica so worth a look.
I have mentioned them before, and I’ll give a shoutout once more to Dissidenten (Dizzie-dentin’). I have only heard one of their older albums called Sahara Elektrik, which IMHO might have some classic music that would fit well with your theme.
I’m fond of a Moroccan band called Aisha Kandisha’s Jarring Effects. Not sure how techno it is (I know nothing of all those whompy genres), but it sounds like mix of electronic dance music and Arabic folk music to me. Shabeesation is available through CDBaby.