Kassi - Idrissa Soumaoro

Taken from Idrissa Soumaoro's album 'Diré' (out 22 Sept 23)
https://idrissa-soumaoro.bandcamp.com...
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With this album, Idrissa Soumaoro pays tribute to Diré, the town where he met his wife and where his first daughter, who is no longer with us, was born.

In 1971, after his studies at the INA in Bamako, Idrissa was transferred to Diré to teach music at the lPEG (Pedagogical Institute of General Education). He was 22 years old when he arrived in Diré. Idrissa has always been nostalgic for this beautiful place in the 333 Saints of Timbuktu region. In the difficult situation Mali is living today, the town of Diré has become a symbol of hope for peace.
Indeed, with this work, Idrissa Soumaoro reflects deeply on peace, brotherhood and reconciliation in Mali. Idrissa sings in French, Bambara and English and sends messages of love and living together.
The album was initiated by Marc-Antoine 'Marko' Moreau, who revealed to the world the talent of Amadou and Mariam who were introduced by Idrissa Soumaoro in the group 'Eclipse de l’I.J.A'.
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'Kassi' tries to dry a mourner’s tears: ‘Why do we cry when a loved one leaves this world and heads for a better place? Let's not weep for their departure because truly people who've sown good and helped their neighbours will inherit the kingdom of Heaven.’