France's Hadouk Trio channeled created a uniquely mystical and evocative sound somewhere between jazz and world pop. Paris-born multi-instrumentalist Didier Malherbe (previously known for co-founding the famed psych-prog outfit Gong) formed Hadouk with Loy Ehrlich, a specialist in the hajouj, the African three-stringed bass that, along with the Armenian double-reed instrument the doudouk, gave the project its name. Mahlerbe and Ehrlich initially recorded and toured as a duo, but swelled to a trio with sophomore album Shamanimal, adding American percussionist Steve Shehan. Hadouk Now followed in 2002, and the 2006 release, Utopies, includes three songs featuring the American trumpeter Jon Hassell. ~ Jason Ankeny