Volume Two presents excellent recordings made at the EMI studios in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the best studios in the region. All tracks were recorded for the Albarika Store label and its producer, Adissa Seidou.
The idea for this collection was born a few years ago when Samy Ben Redjeb, Analog Africa’s founder and compiler, first heard the addictive funk track “Malin Kpon O”, which was originally released in 1975 on Albarika Store. Redjeb’s curiosity led him to discover more about the musical history of Benin and the history of its most important ambassador, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. The result: approximately 100 pictures, 120 master tapes, 20 hours of interviews and a few hundred Orchestre Poly-Rythmo vinyl records – 500 songs in total -some of which previously unreleased.
Almost half of those tracks were recorded for Benin’s number one label, Albarika Store. Fourteen out of 200 tracks were carefully selected for this compilation which comes with a massive 44-page booklet filled with amazing pictures of the band, a complete discography and a biography tracing the band from its foundation as Groupe Meloclem in 1964 via Sunny Black’s band (1965), Orchestre Poly-Disco (1966), El Ritmo (1967) and finally, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou in 1968. During the period presented here, 1969 to 1979, the mighty Orchestre was without any doubt one of Africa’s most innovative groups.
Capable of playing any style of music, the band moved from traditional Vodoun rhythms to funk, sato, Latin, sakpata, psychedelia and Afro-Beat seamlessly and quickly became the powerhouse of Benin’s music scene.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads:
- In North America: Volume Two – Echos Hypnotiques From The Vaults Of Albarika Store 1969-1979. Other recordings available: Rhythmo De Cotonou 1: Vodoun Effect – Funk & Sato, Cotonou Club
- In Europe: Volume Two – Echos Hypnotiques From The Vaults Of Albarika Store 1969-1979. Other recordings available: Rhythmo De Cotonou 1: Vodoun Effect – Funk & Sato
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
