Toumani Diabate finishes Boulevard without Ali Farka Toure

On June 20th, 2006, Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate will release Boulevard de l'Independence on Nonesuch Records. Though it will be Diabate's first solo album since 1999's New Ancient Strings, many will recognize the name and sound from Ali Farka Toure's final recording, 2005's critically acclaimed In the Heart of the Moon. Diabate had planned to record Boulevard de l'Independence with Farka Toure until his death in Bamako on March 7th, but chose to continue the project without him.

Instead, Diabate decided to work with the Symmetic Orchestra, a collective of session musicians from Mali. According to the BBC, "Boulevard exhibits a balance between tradition and innovation, youth and maturity, electric and acoustic, quiet interludes and rocking dance numbers." Sound like one guy with a kora? Didn't think so. Tracklisting:

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