Distorted oud samplings and a beat consisting of hand cymbals, handclaps and a pulsating bass drum. In the background, we can discern a non-lyrical looped choir, dovetailed by a distinctive voice at the forefront, bending notes in an electronic desert blues. AMMAR 808 is the alter ego of Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef. With the roaring bass of a Roland Tr-808 as his signature feature, he embarks on a new musical journey through North African folk futurism. On the upcoming album he is in good company with three singers: Fellow Tunisian Cheb Hassen Tej, Algerian singer Sofiene Saidi and Morocco’s Mehdi Nassouli. Under the name AMMAR 808 & The Maghreb United, they create mysterious dance music via electrifying traditions and dismantling the illusion of colonial boundaries.