While their names may seem indicative of something exotic and unfamiliar, the music of Shahin Shahida (acoustic and Spanish guitars) and Sepehr Haddad (guitars and keyboards) is smooth, easy-listening material designed to rest comfortably on Western ears. The Iranian-American duo's lively sound revolves around Shahin's graceful, flamenco-tinged guitar textures, unobtrusively embellished by Sepehr's keys and the same low-key, groove-based rhythmic underpinnings that propel the music of 3rd Force. (William Aura and 3rd Force are routinely involved in the production of Shahin & Sepehr's music.) East/West Highway is a best-of compilation that samples the duo's first four recordings (while also tossing in two new tracks), and it presents a decent showcase of the musicians' strengths. The pair's sound is handsome, intelligent, and refreshing, with just enough rhythmic and ethnic spice to produce a stylish, feel-good atmosphere. Fortunately, for listeners with a taste for smooth, Spanish-flavored music (with occasional Arabic and samba flourishes; "Jakarta" and "Midnight at the Basilica" are winning examples), they all sound pretty good. Pop the CD in your changer with a few other discs, hit shuffle, and you'll likely enjoy the results. S&S have released albums on both the EMI and Virgin record labels, and all their CDs have debuted on the Top 20 Billboard New Age charts, with their debut album "One Thousand and One Nights" making it all the way to No. 6 on the charts. Their latest release (2008) is a single "Fields of Change" available on iTunes and Amazon as an mp3 single download. This is their first studio recording since 2002 and has already received rave reviews. Shahin & Sepehr's music has been featured on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered", BET on Jazz, CNN's WorldBeat, FOX, and other national programs, and has been used on soundtracks for movies and documentaries worldwide.