Many nations have developed their own complex music systems, which are very different from the currently dominant European sounds. Bali - like India and China - has many unique and so called ‘exotic’ sounds to offer.  

Since I heard Gamelan music the first time in the movie ‘The Year of Living Dangerously‘ I was hooked. The sound blew me away. It was hypnotic, weird, yet filled and magical by it’s own harmonic system. Pure fascination.

Compared to so called classical western music Gamelan is stone old - going back at least to the 12th century.

More? Wikipedia entry, Gamelan performance (music and dance)

The other famous form of Balinese music is the Kecak dance (strangely developed with the help of a German painter).

Compared to the soothing Gamelan music this is pure stress, pulsing aggression and unusual harmony to western ears. But I like it. It has a power and expressiveness hardly found in any other music (I know of).

Make sure your speakers are down if you listen to this in the Office. Or crank them up to the max if you are at home.

More? Wikipedia entry, Kecak video from the great movie Baraka, another Kecak dance and Monkey Fire Dance full Moon Ritual