The latest in a series of albums remixing A-list pop with regional styles (see Rhythms Del Mundo: Cuba), this has a Mali-centric house band, and the effect is sweetly disorienting: Chris Martin's "Viva La Vida" vocals meet galloping drums; Mumford & Sons play their English chorales against a South African equivalent. It doesn't always click. But it's a righteous and illuminating culture clash. 

Listen to 'Rhythms Del Mundo: Africa'

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.