“Maghreb United – AMMAR 808”
2018, Jul 11th
“Ye Bet Waga…….”
It took us a while to properly sit down with this album, but it was more than worth it. AMMAR 808, aka Sofyann Ben Youssef, the mind behind Tunisia’s Bargou 08, brings ancient North African music into a bold, futuristic space.
Featuring vocalists from across the Maghreb — Morocco’s Mehdi Nassouli, Algeria’s Sofiane Saidi, and Tunisia’s Cheb Hassen Tej — the album blends deep traditions like Targ, Gnawa, and Raï with distorted gumbri, gasba flute, zokra bagpipes, and the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine.
From the opening track ‘Degdega’ featuring Sofiane Saidi, you’re pulled into a heavy bass world you wouldn’t typically associate with African music — yet it feels right. It’s traditional, but with an electronic, rebellious edge.
Bass is a constant. ‘Sidi Kommi’ and ‘Ain Essouda’ play with it, but ‘Layli’ fully dives in. That track? Pure magic. Hypnotic vocals and dark rhythm blend so effortlessly, it feels ahead of its time.
Then there’s ‘Kahl el inin’, echoing retro documentary vibes from the ‘80s, somehow still sounding fresh. This whole album lives at the edge — raw, bold, and unforgettable.
If you’re in Ethiopia or anywhere on the continent, give this a listen. Just try not to get hooked.
WW
