Abdelwahab Doukkali | Matfahamnach b/w Ah Ya Yalyam (Atlassiphone)

We're given to hyperbole. We know that. If you've been following us for any length of time, you know that as well. But believe us when we tell you, this time, that this is one of the most incredible, unique, mind-blowing Arabic-speaking-world singles we've ever heard.

An innovator and pop explorer, Doukkali, according to one French website, was born twice: "... le 1er janvier 1941, puis le 7 du même mois, après un séjour dans une couveuse, celui qui allait jouir de plusieurs vies vit le jour au sein d'une famille nombreuse (13 enfants), modeste et profondément pieuse."

This, the article goes on to suggest, explains his many (career) lives as a popular Moroccan artist who also made an impact in the few years he worked in Cairo.

When we posted a brief excerpt of Matfahamnach to the bird app a while back, one commenter suggested they heard strains of Serge Gainsbourg -- and we concur.

(Listen to "Matfahamnach")

(Listen to "Ah Ya Yalyam")