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'Belly-dance' is a style of dance, which is found in many Middle Eastern countries. Just as the dance styles and movements differ between the various countries, so too does the music. I dance mainly Egyptian style and below is a brief outline of the various styles of music found in Egypt and some CD's which I would recommend.

Popular - Modern Arabic music, based round central Arabic rhythms and great for dancing. Influenced by western structures and instrumentation- eg electronic voice manipulation etc! Large Spanish influence in today's pop- Eg

Amr Diab; 'Ya Nour el Ain', 'Amarain', or 'Tamally Maak'
Natacha Atlas; 'Halim','Diaspora' or 'Gedida'.
Moustafa Amar, Khaled, or Hakim.

Oriental - Structured compositions for singers and dancers (found in old films of the 40's and 50's). Large orchestras; often with large string and sometimes brass sections, Qanun (kanoon) and oud are more common in this stlye of music.

Hossam Ramzy; 'Best of Farid Al Atrash'
'Best of Om Kolthoum' (in fact almost anything with her songs or especially with her singing!)
'Best of Mohammed Al Wahab'
'Faddah'
Mokhtar Al Said; 'Raqs Sharqi'

Baladi - Urban folk music, moody with structured rhythm patterns, Arabic 'blues'. Common instruments include saxaphone, clarinet, ney, accordian, solo violin along with solo tabla etc.

Hossam Ramzy; 'Ahlamy', 'Best of Baladi and Saaidi'
Mostafa Sax; 'Hayata'

Saaidi - Rural folk music, Common Instruments- mizmars, rahbab, tablas and duff's. Rhythmic, repetitive.

The Musicians of the Nile; 'Charcoal Gypsies' 'Luxor to Isna'
Rough Guide to the music of North Africa.
The World of Music; 'North Africa and the Middle East Compilation'

Some worthwhile bellydance compilations (ARC Music);

Best of Bellydance from Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey.
Best of Bellydance from Egypt, Lebanon, Arabia, Turkey.
Best of Bellydance from Turkey (Esin Engin Orkestrasi)

There are many other publications of various Arabic music, some are wonderful and some are not danceable - always ask to listen to it before you buy. If you or your friends are going to Egypt or Turkey you can get bargains with regards pop cassettes which are great fun to dance to. I have some which are great but all the writing is in arabic- which I can't translate and therefore can't recommend yet!!!! They are very cheap but again, ask to hear them first (the cassettes sometimes don't even play!). Most record stores will order music for you. Always check the world music section just in case!