Kasse Mady Diabaté - Kassi Kasse

It is said that jalis, the hereditary musicians of West Africa also known as griots, are like walking libraries because they carry centuries of tribal stories, proverbs and praise songs wherever they go. A Manding jali from Mali, Diabaté rivals Salif Keita for his mellifluous voice and majestic tones. But he’s never enjoyed Keita’s crossover success. Which is a shame since his joyful music has a sunny warmth that can soothe the soul. You could even say, as Blur’s Damon Albarn did, that it “smiles out of the speakers.”