Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou – The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk 1969-1980 (2013) review
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou “Volume
Three – The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk 1969-1980” (Analog Africa, 2013)
Three – The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk 1969-1980” (Analog Africa, 2013)
The third volume of this prolific band’s
output captures 14 more of their 500+ recordings from master tapes and vinyl
records collected by label chief Samy Ben Redjeb during numerous trips to their
homeland in Dahomey/Benin. Incantatory vocal chanting, minimalist, staccato
guitar lines, and a bottom-heavy groove courtesy “Africa’s funkiest rhythm
section” are the order of the day. Toss in a few scorching brass pronouncements
and a bouncy Farfisa backing and you have a dance party to rival James Brown
and his Famous Flames.
output captures 14 more of their 500+ recordings from master tapes and vinyl
records collected by label chief Samy Ben Redjeb during numerous trips to their
homeland in Dahomey/Benin. Incantatory vocal chanting, minimalist, staccato
guitar lines, and a bottom-heavy groove courtesy “Africa’s funkiest rhythm
section” are the order of the day. Toss in a few scorching brass pronouncements
and a bouncy Farfisa backing and you have a dance party to rival James Brown
and his Famous Flames.
Fans
of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” period or the funky dance stylings of Remain In
Light”-era Talking Heads and David Byrne’s subsequent travels with Brian Eno in
the “Bush of Ghosts” will find a lot to celebrate here, but the Poly Rhythmic
Orchestre offer the real deal – the local rhythms delivered in the native
patois. Compiler Redjeb provides an astonishingly well-informed historical
backdrop in his 44-page booklet along with helpful descriptions of the various
rhythms employed in each track, from the West African Dahomean Vodoun of opener
“Ne Rien Voir, Dire, Entendre” to the rap-friendly “Jerk fon” and “Sato” of
tracks like “N’Goua” and “Houton Kan Do Gome” (featuring some astonishing
guitar soloing), and the hypnotic, trance-inducing percussives and snappy
guitar lines of the “Jerk Sakpata” rhythm of “Pourquoi Pas?” and the
organ-driven, happy foot dance party, “Akue We Non Houme.”
of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” period or the funky dance stylings of Remain In
Light”-era Talking Heads and David Byrne’s subsequent travels with Brian Eno in
the “Bush of Ghosts” will find a lot to celebrate here, but the Poly Rhythmic
Orchestre offer the real deal – the local rhythms delivered in the native
patois. Compiler Redjeb provides an astonishingly well-informed historical
backdrop in his 44-page booklet along with helpful descriptions of the various
rhythms employed in each track, from the West African Dahomean Vodoun of opener
“Ne Rien Voir, Dire, Entendre” to the rap-friendly “Jerk fon” and “Sato” of
tracks like “N’Goua” and “Houton Kan Do Gome” (featuring some astonishing
guitar soloing), and the hypnotic, trance-inducing percussives and snappy
guitar lines of the “Jerk Sakpata” rhythm of “Pourquoi Pas?” and the
organ-driven, happy foot dance party, “Akue We Non Houme.”
The
“Pop Fon” of “A O O Ida” is a dance floor magnet, while the festive Caribbean
grooves of “Vi E Lo” demonstrate a “Pachanga” strain in their music that’ll
have you packing your bags for sunnier climes! And I challenge anyone to sit
still during the Afro Bossa Nova funk of “Ecoutes Ma Melodie.” So if World
Music is your bag, or you just want to get up and shake your groove thang, pick
up the gloriously catchy rhythms of one of Africa’s most exciting musical
exports and start a party!
“Pop Fon” of “A O O Ida” is a dance floor magnet, while the festive Caribbean
grooves of “Vi E Lo” demonstrate a “Pachanga” strain in their music that’ll
have you packing your bags for sunnier climes! And I challenge anyone to sit
still during the Afro Bossa Nova funk of “Ecoutes Ma Melodie.” So if World
Music is your bag, or you just want to get up and shake your groove thang, pick
up the gloriously catchy rhythms of one of Africa’s most exciting musical
exports and start a party!
Review made by Jeff Penczak/2013
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http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
