Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Madjafalao
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-madjafalao/
After 5 years of silence, “Madjafalao” was released in 2016 by Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo. Here’s a short interview with Calypso Rose.
“And so Les Amazones d’Afrique were born…”
https://amf.didiermary.fr/amazones-afrique-dahomey-women-warriors/
Les Amazones d’Afrique is a collective of female stars including Angélique Kidjo, Mariam Doumbia, Nneka and many more. It started singing out in 2014 against gender inequality in West Africa over a soundtrack of Funk, Blues, Dub and Electro.
The first track they released was “I Play The Kora” from their album [...]
Pablo Nouvelle Feat. Angelique Kidjo – Milambi
https://amf.didiermary.fr/pablo-nouvelle-angelique-kidjo-milambi/
Beninese legend Angelique Kidjo, fresh from her 4th Grammy, explored electronic music with Swiss DJ/producer Pablo Nouvelle on ‘Milambi,’ first track/single from the newly released EP Eliso (2020).
El Rego et Ses Commandos – E Nan Mian Nuku
https://amf.didiermary.fr/el-rego-commandos-e-nan-mian-nuku/
Was El Rego Benin’s Godfather of Funk? Listen to El Rego et Ses Commandos, an album released in 2011.
“There’s lots of James Brown in there, but while other Benin singers of the period are more scary than funky when they echo Soul Brother Number One, El Rego makes restraint sound not only more fun, […]
African Scream Contest
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-scream-contest-full-album/
Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds From Benin & Togo 70s
Gangbé Brass Band - AHELOU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_77WSF9pYcQ
From upcoming album "From Ouidah To Another World", to be released 11/21.
Disclaimer: I worked with GBB around 2010. Since then, they've transformed into a small marching band, far from the polyphonic brass band they once were...
On AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/?s=gangb%C3%A9
Dernier album par El Rego
https://amf.didiermary.fr/el-rego-final-album-benin/
Je vous livre une info trouvée dans la presse Béninoise, et qui m’a plus qu’étonné, car très franchement, je pensais que cet artiste nous avait déjà quittés : Théophile do Régo dit El Rego a sorti en 2010, à 73 ans donc, son dernier album, avant de prendre sa retraite définitive ! […]
Angelique Kidjo – Born Under Punches
https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-remain-in-light/
Kidjo’s always been an eclectic singer… From her cover in 2018 of the Talking Heads album, “Remain In Light.”
“The record is a track-by-track re-imagination of the original, considered to be one of the greatest albums of the ‘80s and deeply influenced by music from West Africa, notably Fela Kuti‘s Afrobeat.” […]
Nel Oliver – Wadjo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nel-oliver-wadjo/
Finagnon Gbènoukpo Noël Ahounou, aka Nel Oliver, was probably Michael Jackson’s fiercest competitor in Benin… 😉
Born in December 1948 in Porto-Novo, he’s a Franco-Beninese singer, composer, arranger, sound engineer, artistic director and producer. He founded his first studio, Spade Music, in France in early 80s, where many Caribbean and African artists came to record […]
El Rego et ses Commandos de Cotonou
https://amf.didiermary.fr/el-rego-commandos-cotonou-1976/
Beninese band originally formed by Théophile Do-Rego in Cotonou, Benin (ex-Dahomey) in 1963 as The Jets. The band was renamed to Los Paras, in 1964, then to Los Commandos in 1965 and finally to El Rego et Ses Commandos in 1966.
Here’s the album “Rep Pop Du Benin” in 1976 as “Commandos de Cotonou”. […]
African Scream Contest 2
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-scream-contest-2/
African Scream Contest 2 est le deuxième tome, exclusivement consacré au Bénin, de ces compilations, sorti 10 ans après le précédent album. L’album couvre la période 1963-1980 dans la musique béninoise.
"A trove of Vodoun-inspired Afrobeat heavy funk crossover greatness Right from the laceratingly raw guitar fanfare which kicks off [...]
Lionel Loueke – Cantaloupe Island
https://amf.didiermary.fr/lionel-loueke-cantaloupe-island/
HH, released in 2020, album of solo guitar reworkings of Herbie Hancock’s music by Lionel Loueke.
HH is an album from Lionel Loueke playing the music of his long-term mentor, the legendary Herbie Hancock.
Known for his ability to “transform the guitar into a virtual Afro-Western orchestra” (Jazz Times), he is a musician who transcends genre […]
Gangbé, the sound of metal
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sound-metal-gangbe-brass-band/
Enjoy the Sound of Metal (Gangbe in Fon)!
The Gangbé Brass Band was founded in 1994 as a 10-member Beninese musical ensemble. It later evolved towards a more classical, albeit smaller, marching band, as it is today. Their older albums combine traditional Vodoun rhythms and drums, arranged with vocal harmonies, and, of course, a lot […]
Angelique Kidjo – Bomba
https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-bomba/
From her album “Eve”, tribute to the women of Benin and their traditional outfit named “Bomba” (bom’ba) by Angélique Kidjo.
A bomba is a two-piece set consisting of a loose camisole and a loincloth for women, or trousers for men.
Sewn from a single piece of fabric, consisting of a top and bottom, it is worn by […]
King of Modern Agbadja
https://amf.didiermary.fr/king-modern-agbadja-gnonnas-pedro-dadjes/
4 songs by this magnificent artiste were included in the compilation Legends of Benin from 2009. This new compilation presents a full and deserved project about Gnonnas Pedro, the king of Modern Agbadja, with tracks between 1974 and 1983.
Very early in his career Gnonnas Pedro had landed his first hit with a song called […]
Lady cover for Red Hot + Fela
https://amf.didiermary.fr/cover-lady-tune-yards-angelique-kidjo-akua-naru/
A cover of Fela Kuti‘s Lady with tUnE-yArDs, Angelique Kidjo, ?uestlove & Akua Naru for the album Red Hot + Fela in 2013.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Gbeti Madjro
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-de-cotonou-gbeti-madjro/
The greatest band in Benin’s history, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo… Here with the classic Gbeti Madjro, in 2 versions: the original (1971) and a cover with Angélique Kidjo.
Benin’s all-time great big band with their first new album for over 25 years. Retaining their celebrated ‘vodou-funk’ sound, Poly Rythmo reprise original hits like ‘Holonon’ along new composositions [...]
Angelique Kidjo – OYO, une enfance africaine
https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-oyo-enfance-africaine/
L’album d’Angélique Kidjo, Oyo (Õÿö), sorti en février 2010, est à première vue un patchwork étonnant, si l’on en connait pas l’origine : une enfance africaine.
Voici l’un des bonus de l’album : You Can Count On Me, pour une campagne UNICEF.
Pour revenir à l’album, on y trouve de tout, ce qui n’est pas […]
Africando – Dagamasi
https://amf.didiermary.fr/africando-dagamasi/
“Ati Mawuin Dagamasi” is one of the classic songs by Gnonnas Pedro, covered here by himself under the Africando banner.
This cover appears on Africando’s album “Gombo Salsa” in 1996. This 3rd album was produced by Ibrahima Sylla and was the group’s first release to include Gnonnas Pedro, with songs arranged by Boncana Maiga and […]
The Kings of Benin Urban Groove
https://amf.didiermary.fr/the-kings-of-benin-urban-groove/
The album “The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80” is a compilation of songs by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, released in 2004 as a double vinyl LP.
Orchestre Poly Rythmo are from the Republic of Benin in West Africa and are a household name in their home country… Arguably West Africa’s best-kept musical secret, Orchestre Poly Rythmo […]
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Se Ba Ho
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-cotonou-se-ba-ho/
“Se Ba Ho” est un titre du Poly-Rythmo, basé sur un rythme traditionnel Vodoun nommé Sato.
“On adorait ce mélange de rythmes africains bien dansants qu’on connaît puisque le Bénin est à un carrefour culturel” dit Mélomé Clément, éternel leader du groupe dans une interview. Il poursuit : “Si notre musique marie des rythmes comme […]
Fatoumata Diawara – Ambe
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fatoumata-diawara-ambe/
Composed during the first lockdown, Fatoumata enlisted revered female musicians Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, China Moses, Inna Modja, Somi, Mayra Andrade, Thandiswa Mazwai and Terri Lyne Carrington to collaborate on the track.
Ambe” means “altogether” in Bambara.
Some of these artists are also known for their own campaigns, against sexism and other causes, [...]
Angélique Kidjo's upcoming project "HOPE!!" to be released on April 24, 2026.
"Surrounded by stars like PHARRELL WILLIAMS, AYRA STARR, NILE RODGERS, QUAVO, DAVIDO, FLORENT PAGNY, DADJU, FALLY IPUPA, CHARLIE WILSON, IZA, PJ MORTON, DIAMOND PLATNUMZ, THE CAVEMEN., SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR."
Mostly collabs now...
Melome Clement & TP Poly-Rythmo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/melome-clement-poly-rythmo/
RIP Melome Clement : TP Orchestre Poly-Rythmo bandleader (vocals, guitar) died on 12/17/2012.
