Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou was an afrobeat band founded in 1968 in Cotonou, Benin (West Africa) by singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Clément Mélomé. The band - originally performing under the name Orchestre Poly-Disco - played a variety of musical styles including funk, soukous, and highlife. They began recording material shortly after formation but their debut album, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey, wasn’t released until 1972. The group recorded roughly 500 songs, many of which were released over on the 50 albums the band released on a variety of labels up through 1982. The band splintered when two of the members died, leaving behind a huge catalog of West African-only albums, EPs, and singles that would be left forgotten for the next two decades. Rediscovered 25 years later by French journalist and producer Élodie Maillot, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo reunited with five of its original members and released the albums Nouvelle Formule… (2007), Cotonou Club (2011), Madjafalao (2016) and Rep Pop du Bénin (2020). Sadly, during the band’s commercial resurgence, Clément Mélomé died December 17, 2012. Since the band’s rediscovery by music fans outside of Africa, their catalog continues to be reissued on vinyl and CD.
©Copyright Music Story Stephen Schnee 2023
Discography
6 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Madjafalao
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
World - Released by Orchestre Polyrythmo de Cotonou - Florent Mazzoleni on 21 Oct 2016
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ahehehinnou Vincent
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
World - Released by Acid Jazz UK on 1 Jan 1973
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk, Vol. 3: 1969-1980 (Analog Africa No. 13)
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Africa - Released by Analog Africa on 29 Apr 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The 1st Album (1973) (Analog Africa Dance Edition No. 1)
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
World - Released by Analog Africa on 7 Jun 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Vodoun Effect (Analog Africa No. 4)
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Africa - Released by Analog Africa on 1 Jan 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Echos hypnotiques (Vol. 2) (Analog Africa No. 6)
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
World - Released by Analog Africa on 1 Jan 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo