Boulevard De L'Independance

Grammy for In the Heart of the Moon, his intimate collaboration with the late, great African guitarist Ali Farka Touré. That recording was part of a three-part series called The Hotel Mandé Sessions, which was recorded at Bamako, Mali’s Hotel Mandé by Nick Gold and his World Circuit team, including longtime engineering collaborator Jerry Boys (Buena Vista Social Club). In July 2006, World Circuit / Nonesuch released another album from the series, the debut of Diabaté’s pan-African Symmetric Orchestra, Boulevard de L’Indépendance.

A five-star review by London’s The Times said, “if there is any justice, the Malian master of the West African harp known as the kora should pick up another GRAMMY for his new record because there won’t be a better African album this year.” The Independent gave the album four stars and called it “a triumph.”

Boulevard de l’Indépendance captures the Symmetric Orchestra’s singular sound, which in nine tracks spans everything from age-old Mandé standards to Cuban-Senegalese salsa. The album was recorded in two weeks of all-night sessions and features a string section, a horn section arranged by Pee Wee Ellis, and singers including the local hero Kasse Mady Diabaté.

RIYL Ali Farka Toure 

Tracklisting 

1. Toumani
2. Boulevard De L'independance 
3. Ya Fama
4. Mali Sadio
5.  Africa Challenge 
6.  Wasso 
7.  Mamadou Diaby 
8. Tapha Niang 
9.  Single