T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – West African Beat: Rare 7s and EPs from Benin and Niger

Description

For the last few years Acid Jazz has been the proud custodian of theAlbarika Store legacy. Hailing from the small but culturally-significant stateof Benin, the label was operational from the late-60s until the early 80s,and was home to some of the finest, deepest, rawest West African cutsever.

A font of local and regional music, infused with contemporary Westerninfluences, the beating heart of the Albarika sound was the mighty T.P.Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who in various guises released dozens of recordings for the label, under the leadership of Mlom Clment.

The intoxicating originality of their sound stems from their combination offolkloric and sacred rhythms of the region, with the modernist sound ofsoukous, afrobeat, soul and funk. Recorded at EMI Studios in Lagos, these recordings have a unique high fidelity and have been a target forgrail-hunting record collectors for decades.

For this incredible 2LP collection, Dean Rudland and David Hill compile thePoly-Rythmo 45 releases; 7 single and EP sides lost to the seeds of time.Until now.

Brought together for the first time, presented in a beautiful wide spinelayout, the 2 LPs present a snapshot of some of the groups finest workfrom the 70s, their distinctive beat already honed. The printed innersleeves include images of the rare and collectable original labels andsleeves, along with sleeve notes by Francis Gooding

Tracklist

1. E Wa Dagbe
2. Ma Dou Sou Nou Mi O
3. Agnon Dekpe
4. Wo-Deka Koe
5. Les Djos -D’Almeida
6. Salabogo
7. Hin Ayi Towe Do YeWou
8. Houegbe N’Dou Nou We
9. Nous Avons Gagne
10. Ati Sissin
11. Akon Kpin Kpan Ni KpeWe
12. Hontontch Man Kou DoYon Nou Ou O
13. Tombola Tche Dou Nou
14. A Houe Nou Ko Yi
15. Hin Houide Glium
16. Mi Ma Da Mlon O