Zentral/Osten
It may take a Ph.D. to fully grasp the politics, history, and geography behind the varied cultural traditions at work in Central and Eastern Europe, but a set of ears is all you really need to enjoy the music. The region comprises the Balkan nations of Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, as well as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Poland, and much of Russia. In this category you can find gypsy ensemble Taraf de Haidouks, pan flutist Zamfir, aspiring Polish Punk rock bands, and more.