T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou Benin is, in my opinion, one of the premier bands from the era of West African independence, right up there with the better-known Rail Band of Mali, Orchestra Baobab of Senegal and Bembeya Jazz of Guinee Conakry.
I've been a fan of Poly Rythmo since I heard the first reissues of their material back in 2003. I own about 10 of those reissues and, to be honest, I assumed I had already heard the band's best.
I was wrong. The British label Acid Jazz is now reissuing a slate of Poly Rythmo titles under an exclusive licensing arrangement with Albarika Store, the band's original label in Benin. The first three of those titles are now available, and there's material on there that I think is even better than the best of what has previously been reissued.
I played two tracks from the new reissues in the last two weeks, and I'm playing another one this week. If you're a fan of African music, do yourself a favor and check out this Poly Rythmo music that few listeners have had the opportunity to hear until now.
Also this week (Monday February 8, 3:00-5:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at
wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at
my podcast site):
women in Afrobeat, 50 years of samba-soul, reggae that veers off in an unexpected direction, and two sets of Latin
electronica: one for the chill room and one for the dance floor.
