Like Sean Lennon and Rufus Wainwright, this African rap trio owe much to ma and pa — singer-guitarist Sam Bagayoko's parents are Malian pop stars Amadou & Mariam. Through them, the group met polyglot pop scientist Manu Chao, who produced SMOD's third record. SMOD carries Chao's signature psychedelic bounce: bulbous reggae bass lines, one-note melodies, dubby chants, video-game sound effects. The album brings Bagayoko's gorgeous West African-style guitar work (unsurprising, given dad's masterful chops) and a sweet French flow. U.S. fans may not understand a word beyond the "Yes!" shouted out repeatedly on "Les Diri­geants Africains." But musically, that sentiment pretty much sums it up.

Listen to "Les Dirigeants Africains":

“Is It True”

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."