ALL ARTISTSAfrica > Benin > Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
// Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
© DR
Cotonou Club
You’ve got to love Strut. Whereas similar labels are happy to re-issue long lost LPs or compilations of old tracks from some of the little known heavyweights of African music, Strut always go the extra mile, often getting their artists back in the studio to release new music. Following storming new recording by the likes of Mulatu Astatke of Ethiopia and Ebo Taylor from Ghana, now it’s the turn of Benin’s voodoo funksters Orchestre Poly-Rythmo to show if they retain the mojo that brought them to fame in the late 60s with their unique fusion of highlife, Afro-beat, soul and jazz shot through with sacred rhythms.
Anyone who caught the band at their shows last year might not have doubted the group’s relevance in 2011, but their studio return exceeds all expectations. Recorded in Paris with producer Elodie Maillot (the journalist who tracked the band down in 2007 after hearing a crackly old vinyl recording while at Radio France), this is the band’s first LP in over 20 years and while some of the rawness that made those original recordings so stunning might have been lost, there is a depth and modern edge here that might just make this one of the African albums of the year. With new versions of classics like ‘Gbeti Madjro’, featuring Angelique Kidjo (one of a handful of featured guests who thankfully don’t dilute the brew as is often the case) alongside new compositions like the Latin tinged ‘Koumi Dede’ this is hopefully the first in a series of LPs from Clément Mélomé and his band. With the album released on four formats – including a heavyweight gatefold LP – and a bonus film, Strut are putting their attention into this one, and by the time you reach the finale ‘Lion Is Burning’ (featuring their big fans Franz Ferdinand) you feel like the band have earned it. While you need to catch them live to feel the full force, this is both a welcome and assured return to the studio by this incredible band.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Cotonou Club is out 28 March 2011 on Strut
More on Mondomix:
Orchestra Poly-Rythmo portrait
Andy Thomas
(6 votes)
// ALSO
- Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81
- Life Stories
- Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
- Joe Bataan & James Pants live at Cargo 11 June plus dates in Leeds and Birmingham
- Inspiration Information - London shows at Koko and Jazz Café
- Quantic and his Combo Barbaro album launch tour starts Friday 5 June at the ICA
- Gilles Peterson, Gilles Peterson DJ Chart - Worldwide selections
- Sofrito, Tropical Disco Chart
- Samy Ben Redjeb, Analog adventures
// ALL ORCHESTRE POLY-RYTHMO DE COTONOU'S REVIEWS
Cotonou Club
23/03/2011
// DISCOGRAPHY
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The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80 (Compilation)
The Vodoun Effect 1972-1975 (Album)// LINKS
RELATED ARTISTS
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>> Kalahari Surfers
>> Africando
>> Juan José Mosalini
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// CONTACT
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