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T.P. ORCHESTRE POLY-RYTHMO

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T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo

Le Sato 2 - 2023 Reissue

Acid Jazz

Over the past few years Acid Jazz have released a series of reissues from the enigmatic Albarika Store, a goldmine of records from Benin, West Africa from the late 1960s through to the early 1980s.

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo’s ‘Le Sato 2’ is a particularly obscure release. The follow up to ‘Le Sato’, the album was originally sold in exactly the same sleeve as the first volume, with the new catalogue number simply written on the back.

This reissue marks the first proper release of the record, with a sleeve incorporating original design in a new, distinctive and authentic colour scheme.

This time the tracklist and labels are correct, giving the album pride of place in the essential T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, Albarika and Benin musical library.

The record itself sees Benin’s premier group in characteristic form - hypnotic, heavy, heady Afro- Funk under the leadership of ‘Prince’ Melome Clement. A must-have for Afro collectors and passing fans alike.

Fully licenced reissue, remastered by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering.

TRACK LISTING

1. General Gowon
2. Gendemou Na Wili We Gnannin
3. A Non Zoun Mi
4. La Verite Blesse
5. Je N'en Peux Plus

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T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo

Afro-Funk - 2022 Reissue

Acid Jazz

The latest LP installment from the legendary Albarika Store archive, presented by Acid Jazz Records: a compilation of Afro-Funk from the supreme T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo. Includes the underground classic ‘It’s A Vanity’, among tracks from throughout their career from the late ‘60s to the early ‘80s. A prime example of some of the finest original Afro-Funk and an ideal introduction to T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo.

TRACK LISTING

Gbeto Viv
It’s A Vanity
Minkou E So Non Moin
Kou Tche Kpo So O
Houe Djein Nada
Gbeti Ma Djro
Segla
Medida
Gan Tche Kpo
Mi Si Ba To
Mi Ve Wa Se
Aihe Ni Kpe We

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Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey

Le Sato

Acid Jazz

Acid Jazz Records continue their exclusive licensing agreement with Albarika Store, the legendary record label that defined the sound of Benin and influenced the entire region of West Africa and beyond.

Recorded and issued in 1974, Le Sato is one of the earliest releases on the Albarika label and it is also one of the deepest. Sato is the term for the traditional rhythms that soundtrack Vodun (Voodoo) rituals and ceremonies in Benin. Performance of Sato is reserved for these sacred rites, which evoke the spirits of the dead and can last for several days and attract hundreds of people. Sato rhythms cannot be played outside of Vodun.

A large ceremonial Sato drum is used, which measured over 1.5m in height. This drum is played using wooden stick beaters, the drummer dancing while playing. The Sato drummers are supported by percussionists and other drummers playing smaller drums. Together, they create unique, layered, trance-inducing poly-rhythms.

TRACK LISTING

1. Gan Tche Kpo
2. My Love
3. Gnonnou Ho
4. Min E Wa..We Non Dou

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T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo De Cotonou

Unité Africaine

Acid Jazz

Two monumental full-side tracks from a pair of late 70s Orchestre Poly-Rythmo albums, Unité Africane isn’t exactly a compilation, more a combination of the standouts at a time when the band was at the peak of its powers.

Originally released in 1977, the title track is an infectious Afro-Latin workout that is interwoven with driving horn stabs by master trumpet player Tidiani Kone. Unité Africaine was recorded over the Nigerian border at the state-of-the-art EMI Studios in Lagos, yielding majestic sonic results.

Mede Ma Gnin Messe is taken from the 1978 Special 30 Novembre, and this time Poly-Rythmo wore their Afro-funk hat to deliver almost sixteen minutes of dancefloor fire. Propelled by Poly-Rythmo’s super-tight beats and underpinned by a relentless keyboard refrain, the magic is the stellar horn parts that take this track to another level.

As with much of the Albarika catalogue, copies of the original LPs are incredibly tough to locate in anything approaching reasonable condition, so this should be a gift.

TRACK LISTING

1. Unite Africaine
2. Mede Ma Gnin Messe

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T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou - Benin

Vol. 4 - Yehouessi Leopold Batteur

Acid Jazz

Albarika Store is home to many rare recordings, from more traditional folkloric and Sato styles, to the funk, blues and psych inspired workouts of the All Mighty Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou, as they referred to themselves. Many of the original records are sought after by DJs and collectors as prime examples of Afro-funk, Afro-Latin and Afropsych sounds.

The next in the series of reissues by Acid Jazz presents a straight reproduction of the incredibly hard to find Poly-Rythmo ‘Vol. 4’ album, originally from 1978.

For DJs and dancers this album has long been about the killer track ‘Aiha Ni Kpe We’, an incendiary Afrobeat recording which will activate any dancefloor anywhere. “Every time I listen to the Orchestre Poly Rythmo… Wow, I just discover something new in the music” - Gilles Peterson

This is the first exhaustive trawl of the archive and will see the label presented in a way that ensures its historical importance is recognized. Trips to West Africa have secured original master tapes and the process of transferring is ongoing. Over the next few years a comprehensive reissue campaign is planned.

TRACK LISTING

Davi Djinto Super No2
Homin Si Tche
Aiha Ni Kpe We

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T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou - Rep Pop Du Benin

Segla

Acid Jazz

Acid Jazz Records are proud to announce an exclusive licensing agreement with Albarika Store, the legendary record label that defined the sound of Benin and influenced the entire region of West Africa and beyond.

This is the first exhaustive trawl of the archive and will see the label presented in a way that ensures its historical importance is recognized.

‘Segla’ is a hens’ teeth-rare Poly Rythmo album from 1978 that was originally released without a sleeve as ALS059. Recorded at EMI Lagos, Nigeria, as per most of the Poly Rythmo recordings for Albarika, the sound quality is from the tapes is dynamic and fresh.

Transferred from the original tapes and remastered by Grammy award-winning engineer Frank Merritt at The Carvery, the album is presented with beautiful artwork and packaging to match the sonics. This is the music as it should be heard.