From the Atlas Mountains--the northwest border of the Sahara desert--to the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and the Strait of Gibraltar--gateway to Europe--Morocco is a unique and historically crucial African territory. Berbers lived there over 3000 years ago, and since that time, Romans, Arabs, Europeans and sub-Saharan Africans have vied for control, especially of Morocco's legendary cities: Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech. Politics and mystical religion often fused during the succession of dynasties that led to the period of European tampering by Spain, England, Germany and France, all of whom sought economic and political influence in the region. The French ultimately dominated in 1912, following a tense period of nationalist resistance.

Morocco won its independence from France in 1955, but struggled on for decades to regain territories controlled by Spain, most notably the Western Sahara, whose status remains in dispute to this day. Despite territorial struggles and economic turmoil, Hassan II remained king of Morocco from 1955 until his death in 1999. His son, Mohammed VI now rules.

Musically speaking, Morocco is best known for its fabulous wealth of traditional music. The Gnawa brotherhood preserve ancient spirit music with West African roots. The Master Musicians of Jajouka also tap into a deep, mysterious well stretching far back into Berber history in the region. In Morocco's cities, shaabi music and now rai represent urban takes on tradition. Further out on the pop curve, a new generation of Moroccan youth experiments with techno-aesthetics, jungle loops and rap shock value, while still guarding elements of tradition. Any mention of the troublesome female spirit Aisha Kandisha alarms elders. Out to shock, Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects formed in '87 and has now joined the ranks of Moroccan musicians to work with producer Bill Laswell. Since moving to Belgium in the late '60s, the gifted, blind musician Hassan Erraji has charted new territory for Moroccan traditional music. His group Arabesque's 1989 debut edges the frenetic, expressive twang of oud melodies towards flamenco fire in a cool, jazz-rock setting. In two subsequent albums, Hassan plays violin, qanoon zither, nay flute and the double-reed ghaita.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre