Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
Release Date: 03 November 2008
Label: Analog Africa
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 4260126060661
Genres: World Music
Description
Following on from the compilation 'African Scream Contest - Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds from Benin & Togo 70s' - which featured several tracks by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, including the ground-breaking "Gbeti Madjro".
Arguably West Africa's best-kept secret, the band's output both in quantity and quality was astonishing. During several trips to Benin Analog Africa label boss Samy Ben Redjeb managed to collect roughly 500 songs which Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou had recorded between 1970 and 1983. With so much material to choose from Ben Redjeb decided to split it into Volumes 1 and 2. While Volume 2 will be material the band recorded under an exclusive contract with the label Albarika Store, the band also "secretly" recorded with an array of smaller labels based around Cotonou, Benin's largest city, and the capital city of Porto Novo. It is those tracks (all officially licensed) that are presented here on Volume 1.
The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese music had an immense impact on the sound of Benin's modern music. Benin is the birthplace of the Vodun religion (also Vodoun, or, as it is known in the West, Voodoo) and involves the worship of some 250 sacred divinities. The rituals used to pay tributes to those divinities are always backed by music.
This fourth Analog Africa release of forgotten musical gems from 70s Africa includes a 44 page booklet, full of rare photographs and record covers and introduces three important producers who were collectively responsible for some of the most amazing music released in Benin.
Tracklisting
Various Artists
The Good Samaritans
Various Artists
Sonido Verde de Moyobamba
Ernesto Djedje
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
