Kasse Mady Diabata - Kirike

For almost half a century Kass� Mady Diabat� has been recognised as one of West Africa s finest singers. He is a descendant of the most distinguished griot family and his name, alongside other griot legends Toumani Diabat� and Bass�kou Kouyat�, is equivalent to musical royalty in Mali. Over his fifty-year long career, he s released numerous solo records and collaborated with Taj Mahal, Toumani Diabat�, Ketama, the Symmetric Orchestra, etc.

On the record and on stage, Kass� Mady is joined by Malian kora maestro Ballak� Sissoko, iconoclastic French cellist Vincent Segal, balafon player Lansin� Kouyat� (from duo Kouyat�-Neerman) and ngoni player Makan Tounkara. Kirik� is the third album in a series born out of the friendship between Ballak� Sissoko and Vincent Segal, long admirers of Kass� Mady. Already this friendship has resulted in two beautiful albums, Chamber Music (2009) and At Peace (2012), both released on the No Format! label.

A griot to the core, Kass� Mady expresses himself almost entirely through his music, transcribing all of the nuances of the human soul into song. It is this that cements his position as 'the greatest singer in Mali', as described by fellow countryman Salif Keita. 'The album is very intimate and understated, with a sense of eavesdropping on a truly great master singer.' Lucy Duran