The truth about Benghazi...

is that some surprisingly delectable multicultural pop originated from there. And most people only think about Libya when dictators fall or when Republicans spew conspiracy theories. Ahmed Fakroun went on to achieve global stardom with some slick crossover tunes. I'm sure this early-'80s number would sound equally slick if subjected to proper digital cleanup, but I like the scratchiness of this version. Sounds desert-dusty and jerry-rigged from a scan of radio fragments of its day.

Ahmed Fakroun — Fil Moden El Kibira

Swim across oceans

Remember when it felt metaphorical to talk about a small world? It was a big, big world for so long that people now coming of age will never truly appreciate that dizzying sense of distance, things being so flattened and easily available in the digital version these days [commence old man exhalation]. Imagine then the excitement or confusion for those exposed to these transcontinental tracks by Hector Zazou, Bony Bikaye, and a couple weird German dudes called CY1. Some call this a European answer to My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. I say that's a fine description. And certainly worth your attention, especially if you appreciate how long it takes to swim across oceans.

Zazou/Bikaye/CY1 - M'Pasi Ya M'Pamba
Zazou/Bikaye/CY1 - Mangungu