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 bientot), 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, produced by Lucy Duran, 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. The achievement of this historic project, hailed by connoisseurs and fans of Malian music, was realised due to the involvement of Ibrahim Kaba, a fervent defender of the preservation of Mali's musical tradition. Kaba's unstinting support for projects like his co-production of Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacho's recent release, "Djudjon, L'Oiseau de Garana" (One World Records, 2024), testify to Kaba's commitment to keeping his country's musical roots alive, a vision shared with the studio team as well as the label, all renown for the respectful and meticulous approach to preserving treasures of the Manding culture, while bringing a contemporary dimension to them.

The release of this posthumous album by Kasse Mady Diabate represents a moving moment, a kind of spiritual and musical resurrection that revives the joy and legacy of one of Mali's greatest artists. Kasse Mady Diabate recorded just six albums between 1989 and 2014, works that have left an indelible influence on the Malian music scene. His career has been marked by a rare excellence and fidelity to Mandingo traditions, with titles such as Fode, Manden Djeli Kan, and Kirike becoming classics.

With this album, the world has the opportunity to discover the seventh album by this unforgettable artist. It's hard not to imagine Kasse Mady, from beyond the grave, smiling proudly as he sees the legacy of his art continue successfully. Sending his blessings to his daughter, he invites us to continue celebrating the beauty of Malian music and the depth of its cultural heritage