2004 was a quite poor year, but anyway there are some great gems:
Kâzım Koyuncu - Hayde (Turkey)

Kâzım Koyuncu was a expert of Laz music and culture. This is his second album, a masterpiece of folk music from the eastern part of Black Sea, with peculiar arrangements (violin, bagpipes) and odd meters. It also features female singer Şevval Sam, who brings an atmospheric Turkish folk component.
"Hayde" was hugely popular and today it is considered a modern classic. Unfortunately, Koyuncu died of cancer just one year after its release.
The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat (USA)

One of the most original album from 00's, starting from the blues rock and psichedelic pop of the 60, the create a unique style that could be called something like art prog pop.
Kélétigui Diabaté - Sandiya (Mali)

Maybe the greatest balaphone maestro. Kélétigui Diabaté played in many of the best malian orchestra, but for the first time in this album he go alone with his balaphone and with the supporto fo some of the best malian artist. The album, totally instrumental, is perfect each song is a delicious jewel of melody and dynamicity.
Hokr - Hokrova Vila (Czech Rep.)

Underground prog band from czech republic, that in 2004 decide to record unreleased material from 1979. They are very theatrical, symphonic with a touch of avant prog. Here you can find a detailed review of a friend of mine
http://www.arlequins.it/pagine/articoli ... sp?ch=3337
Pez - Folklore (Argentina)

With fourteen albums released between 1994 and 2014, Argentinean Pez can't be blamed for not getting busy. Among their fans, the debate about which is the best work is quite open. Seventh act of his career, "Folklore" undoubtedly stands out for its usability and adherence to the patterns of progressive rock, where the band has preferred in other works to tackle harder and/or psychedelic territories. Arranged and produced with obsessive attention, never exceeding six minutes per song, the album displays acoustic romanticisms, electric shocks and intricate rhythms, exploiting that lush yet melancholy melodic sense, typical of the most refined Argentine rock and son of people like Luis Alberto Spinetta, Virus and Gustavo Cerati. Among the many solos, those of the singer-guitarist Ariel Minimal stand out in "Aprender, comprer, facultarse, darse cuenta" and "Caminar", without exaggerating among the most touching in recent rock history.
Jorge Drexler - Eco (Uruguay)

From Uruguay one of the greatest singer songwriter of the hispanophone music scene. Every song sound so fresh, but at the same time not trivial at all
Malouma - Dunya (Mauritania)

The most famous singer from Mauritania, this album is a great example of how world music can be merged with western music creating a unique style. The album from 2007 is even better than this one.