Kassé Mady Diabaté is one of the finest singers in Africa. He’s a griot, a guardian of Mali’s ancient culture, but in the west he is best known for his fusion projects. He sang on Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabaté’s Kulanjan, an album praised by President Obama, worked with Toumani’s amplified big band, Symmetric Orchestra, and performed alongside Cuban stars in AfroCubism. But now he has gone back to his roots, with some crucial outside help. This is an immaculately recorded, intimate set in which Kassé Mady is backed by a classy acoustic band of n’goni, balafon and kora (from the celebrated Ballaké Sissoko). The ancient African instruments are joined, sometimes surprisingly, by delicate cello work from producer Vincent Segal; but from the slinky Ko Kumi Magni to the stately Hera, the quietly powerful and soulful vocals always dominate. At 65, Kassé Mady is still in magnificent voice.
