Global A Go-Go presents:
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.
Podcast: radio4all.net/index.php/program/107772
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/index.php/series/Global+A+Go-Go
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a Go-Go”
from Global a Go-Go
BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001
England UK
tUnE-yArDs + Angelique Kidjo + Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson + Akua Naru, “Lady”
from Red Hot + Fela
Knitting Factory - 2012
USA-Benin
T.P Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou – Benin, “Davi Djinto Super No2”
from Vol. 4 – Yehouessi Leopold Batteur
Acid Jazz UK - 1978
Benin
Fat Freddy's Drop, “Special Edition (feat. MC Slave) [LOCK-IN]”
from LOCK-IN
The Drop - 2020
New Zealand
Sidestepper, “Come See Us Play”
from Supernatural Love
Real World Records - 2016
Colombia-England UK
Bosq, “Descarga Mundial (feat. Mauro Abogánster)”
from Y Su Descarga Internacional
Bacalao - 2020
USA-Colombia
Professor Angel Dust & DA PH Force, “Oye Como Va (Bonus Track)”
from Oye Como Va - EP
Parlophone Spain - 2000
Mexico-Canada-Spain
Pete Rodriguez, “I Like It Like That (Aaron Jerome remix)”
from I Like It Like That
Fania - 2008
USA-England UK
Bill Lupoletti Global A Go-Go February 8th, 2021
Posted In: Music Shows