Revival of Tidiani Koné and T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo’s 1977 West African Masterpiece
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A musical ensemble originating from Benin, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, led by Mélomé Clément, is ready to allure an international audience with their genre-blending compositions. The music’s essence is rooted in Benin’s coastal town of Cotonou from the latter part of the 1960s into the initial phase of the 80s. The ensemble, with its versatility, dabbles in various musical genres such as highlife, soul, rock, jazz, and folk, creating an indelible imprint in the musical landscape of the 20th century. They also intersect styles such as Afrobeat and funk, propelled by the allure of renowned musicians like James Brown and the infectious rhythms of Funkadelic.
In recent years, Acid Jazz has been preserving the intricate melodies of West Africa, particularly the creations from the formidable Albarika Store label based in Benin. The timeless tunes resonating from this label fused local sounds with wider influences from global genres including soul, rock, psychedelic, and notably, Afro Beat. Among the notable artists under the Albarika umbrella, the standout was undoubtedly the formidable T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, whose productivity marks the period of the label’s activity from the late 60s up to the early 80s.
The upcoming reissue of 1977’s ‘Tidiani Kone et le T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo’ brings to the fore the distinctive sounds of the Benin-based ensemble in partnership with the talented Mali Horn composer, Tidiani Koné. Listeners will be treated to the hypnotic fusion resulting from the collaboration of these West African musical powerhouses, delivering two extended and mesmerizing jams that perfectly showcase the unique West African music style.
In the 2000s, the ensemble witnessed a revival, spurred by the release of compilations of their vast catalogue on record labels such as Popular African Music and Soundway Records. In 2008, Analog Africa further propelled their music onto the global stage with a series of compilations. Despite the loss of founder Clément in 2012, the surge of interest led the band to reorganize and commence touring as a 10-piece group. Five original members — Vincent Ahéhéhinnou, Maximus Ajanohun, Pierre Loko, Gustave Benthoto, and the late Clément — released two new albums, Cotonou Club in 2011 and Madjafalao in 2016.
The band’s sound, according to The Austin Chronicle, can be described as “tumultuous funk.” It combines the riveting percussion of traditional voodoo rituals, Nigerian highlife, Afro-Cuban jazz, and indigenous folk styles, producing an accessible psychedelic funk appeal that resonates with a modern audience. Thus, this reissue not just revives vintage Afrobeat melodies but also adds two more legendary names to its roster — Fela Kuti, an Afrobeat pioneer, and Papillon, an influential guitarist from Benin whose footprints are visibly etched in the 20th-century music scene.
Learn more about Tidiani Koné