Almost 10 years after the release of their self-titled debut, occasional trio Ballaké Sissoko, Driss El Maloumi and Rajery took to the studio again for 'Anarouz' (Tamazight or Berber for "hope"). Band name 3MA refers to the origins of the three musicians, hailing from Mali, Morocco and Madagascar respectively. Of course, the emphasis still lies on the beautiful interplay of kora, oud and valiha, but like on their first album, in three of the 10 tracks on 'Anarouz' - 'Hanatra', 'Aretina' and 'Awal', a song that also featured on their debut album - you can also hear the trio's vocal side, and for 'Anfaz' and 'Mariam' they were joined by Pakistani percussionist Khalid Kouhen, providing some extra rhythms on the tabla. Pan-African musical magic!