Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou is a band from Cotonou, Benin which plays afrobeat, funk, soukous and other styles, often based on Vodun rhythms. The group is sometimes referred to as "Tout Puissant" (French for "All Mighty") Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou | |
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Origin | Cotonou, Littoral, Benin |
Genres | |
Years active | 1968-present |
Associated acts | m |
Biography
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou first formed by bandleader Clément Mélomé in 1968 under the name "Orchestre Poly-Disco" in the coastal town of Cotonou, Benin.[1] Their debut album was originally released in 1973.[2] From the late 1960s through the early 1980s, the group recorded around 500 songs in a variety of musical styles for various Beninese record labels.
Revival
A compilation of their back catalogue released on the Popular African Music label in 2003,[3] followed by The Kings of Benin Urban Groove on Soundway Records the following year.[4] A series of compilations released by Analog Africa beginning in 2008 brought the band to greater global attention.[5][6][7][8] This interest led the band to reform and tour internationally in 2009, and release two new studio albums: Cotonou Club, in 2011[9][10][11] and Madjafalao in 2016.
Discography
Reissues
In its heyday the Orchestre Poly-Rythmo released several dozen LPs and singles. The following discography refers only to the publications of recent years.
Title | Label | Year | Annotations |
---|---|---|---|
Nouvelle Formule… | ACP Production | ca. 2000 / 2001 | current recordings, without stylistic emphasis |
Reminiscin’ in Tempo – African Dancefloor Classis [sic] | Popular African Music | 2003 | Compilation with Soukous and Salsa tracks |
The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972 – 80 | Soundway Records | 2004 | Compilation without stylistic emphasis |
The Vodoun Effect – Funk & Sato from Benin’s Obscure Labels 1972–1975 | Analog Africa | 2008 | Compilation with Afrobeat, Funk and Vodun tracks, which were released on small benin labels originally. Many of the songs are based on the vodun rhythms Sato and Sakpata. |
Echos Hypnotiques – From the Vaults of Albarika Store 1969–1979 | Analog Africa | 2009 | Compilation of afrobeat, funk and vodun tracks originally released on the benin label Albarika Store . |
Cotonou Club | Strut Records | 2011 | current recordings, primarily Afrobeat, Funk and Vodun |
Cotonou Club / Radio Poly-Rythmo | Sound d’Ailleurs | 2011 | limited edition of Cotonou Club with the bonus CD Radio Poly-Rythmo which includes live recordings, radio coverage and videos |
The 1st Album | Analog Africa | 2011 | Re-release of the first album from 1973. Two of the four titles are in different versions than on the original album. |
The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk | Analog Africa | 2013 | Compilation 1969–1980 |
Madjafalao | Because Music | 2016 | current recordings |
References
- The Rough Guide To Psychedelic Africa (World Music Network, 2012)
- Broughton, Simon (2010-01-14). "Benin's funk heroes: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo in Europe at last". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "The Quietus | Reviews | Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou". The Quietus. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "popular African music". www.muzikifan.com. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "The Kings Of Benin Urban Groove 1972-1980 - T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo | Release Info | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "Rhythmo de Cotonou, Vol. 1: Vodoun Effect - Funk and Sato from Benin's Obscure Labels 1972-1975 - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "Album: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, The Vodoun Effect, (Analogue". The Independent. 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "Echos Hypnotiques, Vol. 2 - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Vol. 3: The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk 1969-1980 - Spectrum Culture". Spectrum Culture. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- "Dusted Reviews: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Cotonou Club". www.dustedmagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- Broughton, Simon (2010-01-14). "Benin's funk heroes: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo in Europe at last". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- Denselow, Robin (2011-03-24). "Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: Cotonou Club – review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-02-09.