Kasse Mady Diabate, a key figure in Malian music, left his mark on history with his gentle yet powerful voice, earning him the nickname ‘the golden voice of Mali’. A respected Mandingo artist, he was known for his ability to touch souls with melodies and texts steeped in depth and tradition. As a griot, he carried the musical heritage of his people with dignity and talent. The album title song, Toumaro (A bientôt), written by his daughter Hawa Kasse Mady Diabate, is part of this heritage, celebrating love and gratitude. After Kasse Mady’s sudden death in 2018, Hawa continued the album her father had started, offering a poignant tribute to his legacy and a beautiful way to connect with him spiritually through music. Hawa herself is an iconic figure on the Malian music scene, particularly as a member of Trio Da Kali, the griot ‘super-group’whose album Ladilikan with the Kronos Quartet was a true masterpiece. Toumaro is a testament to the richness of the griot tradition, carried on by artists such as Hawa as well as Lassana Diabate and Madou Kouyate. Their collaboration on Toumaro with renowned musicians underlines the importance of passing on cultural and musical values, while renewing the genre through contemporary arrangements.

A1. Sozani
A2. Kasse moro
A3. Simbo
A4. Fognana kouma
A5. Keme bourama
B1. Niagaleba
B2. Kaira
B3. Kasse dya
B4. Laban djoro
B5. Toumaro