Anarouz

Albumbeschreibung

It is common in cultural circles to want to bring together artists from distant musical sensibilities and to arrange them in a common working time so as to question their possible interactions. More rare is the type that extends further than one or two concerts and a few memories. When Ballaké Sissoko (a MAlian master of the kora), Driss El Maloumi (a MArrocan oud-charmer) and Rajery (a MAdagascan valiha magician) put their immense talents and wonderful instruments together in 2006, their strings quickly began to sparkle. Beyond an exceptional musical understanding, the 3MAs developed a friendship that has been deftly growing ever since. As artists who are greatly respected in their respective disciplines and as insatiable musical adventurers, they had to battle with their schedules in order to succeed in continuing their shared history. They managed to put on a handful of concerts, but Anarouz is only their second album in eleven years. Their rarity is far from being their only quality. Accompanied on two pieces by the percussionist Khalid Kouhen, the three friends speak of a voluptuously delicate and peaceful Africa. One detects here and there echoes of rich traditions that each of them represents and we find this new language that they have invented together which has matured over the years. At each moment, the oud, the kora and the valiha find their right place, emphasizing and vitalizing each other. This alliance of virtuosity, sensitivity and musical understanding offer a captivating and limpid work. A pure delight. © BM/Qobuz