THIS singer is described as musical royalty in his West African home of Mali, where his name stands alongside that of other local legends such as Toumani Diabaté, stars of the local griot culture.
At the age of 65, he steps back from the fusion projects that have to an extent made his name, including Toumani’s amplified big band, Symmetric Orchestra. On this immaculate set Kassé Mady is backed by musicians including kora player Ballaké Sissoko, with the African instruments filled out by delicate ripples of cello from French producer Vincent Segal.
The vocals and gentle but powerful at the same time, and while it takes time to attune to the differences between the numbers, there are some lovely songs on here, including the delightful Ko Kumi Magni and the gently melodic Sadjo.
This is quiet, understated music, but listen long enough and the effect is mesmerising, a gentle lapping that picks up and falls away in a rhythmic tide.
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