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You've done it again. Three days before Christmas, and the regular grind of the workweek has kept you out of the stores and plum out of luck in the Christmas present department.

There's still time, but you have to work fast.

Rather than fight your fellow holiday procrastinators for the last iPod at Best Buy this season, try these 2006 world-music selections on for size.

Loreena McKennitt — 'An Ancient Muse'

(Quinlan Roads Records). Manitoba-born McKennitt follows her Celtic roots down the historic Silk Road trade route through Turkey, Greece, Jordan and China with this masterful collaboration of Eastern and Western influences. Reminiscent of Howard Shore's score to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the album features Turkish clarinet, tablas, Celtic bouzoukis and even a hurdy-gurdy, all complementing McKennitt's thick vocals, harp and accordion play.

Hazmat Modine — 'Bahamut'

(Barbés Records). Not since bluesman Paul Pena journeyed to the Republic of Tuva to jam with musicians in the mid-'90s has Tuvan throat singing and Americana music fit so well together. The popular Tuvan ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu sits in on several of Hazmat Modine's eclectic tracks, including a cover of the early-20th-century harmonica player Jaybird Coleman's "Man Trouble." The guttural chants maneuver their way through songs slathered in harmonica and tuba, an eclectic soup with something for everyone.

Rodrigo y Gabriela — self-titled

(ATO Records). Coming to you from Mexico via Dublin, Ireland, Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero hit you hard with dual Spanish guitars, fiery instrumentals inspired by their Mexico homeland and their new European digs. The couple made the move to Ireland to enhance their careers in a more accepting musical environment. Both come from metal backgrounds, but have since become staples of the Irish music community. This release debuted at No. 1 on the Irish Music Charts in March. The package includes a DVD that shares the duo's story and provides candid interviews with Sanchez and Quintero, as well as live concert footage.

Rahim Alhaj — 'When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq'

(Smithsonian Folkways Records). Baghdad-born Alhaj brings thousands of years of musical history to the forefront with this release, a collection of Iraqi maqams, or improvised suites. Songs are performed on the oud, a lutelike instrument, regarded as one of Iraq's premier solo instruments with a history dating back to before the Abbasid Period (A.D. 750-1258.) Alhaj's abilities on the oud can be mesmerizing, especially when layered against percussionist Souhail Kaspar's tablah, riqq and dumbak accompaniment.

R. Carlos Nakai — 'Reconnections'

(Canyon Records). American Indian flutist Nakai teams up once again with producer and musician Cliff Sarde to create a unique soundscape of flute music set to world beats and New Age electronica. Joining Nakai and Sarde are Phoenix-based guitarist and Canyon Records regular William Eaton and Cree Indian vocalist Randy Wood, who lends his talents to the soft and serene melody, "Honor Your Love."