ABOUT THIS ITEM

Four years in the making, Analog Africa finally presents the second volume of Africa's funkiest band, the mythical Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. Volume Two showcases superbly recorded tracks, courtesy of the EMI studios in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the best studios in the region. All tracks here were recorded for the mighty Albarika Store label and its enigmatic producer, Adissa Seidou. During the period presented here - 1969 to 1979 - the mighty Orchestre was without any doubt one of Africa's most innovative group. Capable of playing any style of music, the band moved from traditional Vodoun rhythms to funk, salsa or Afro-beat seamlessly and quickly became the powerhouse of Benin's music scene, backing most of Africa's stars touring the country, such Manu Dibango, Ernesto Djedje, Bella Bellow, as well as supporting an array of local composers, such as Honore Avolonto, Antoine Dougbé and Danialou Sagbohan. Those astonishing combinations can be heard here: Afro-beat, sato, funk, sakpata, psychedelia and Latin sounds all mixed into a heavy hypnotic sound - "Les Echos Hypnotiques".