T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou hail from the West African nation of Benin. The "T.P." stands for the French "Tout Puissant", which means "All Mighty". The band was formed in 1966 and still records to this day, although band members have changed along the way. Their output has been extremely prolific numbering upwards of 50 LPs and a hundred 45s.
As their name implies, the music relies on a blend of rhythmic persussive elements. It draws from the French heritage of Benin along with the influence of their anglophone neighbors like Nigeria and Ghana. These influences and rhythmic elements form the backdrop for varied styles they play, a mix ranging from afrobeat, highlife, jazz, soul, rhumba and latin music. Tracks are sung in either French or their native Fon tongue.
Links To Peel[]
Peel played a track from the group in 1983, after their LP was given to him as a birthday present by a lady called Alice. It is not known according to current playlists, whether he played anymore tracks from the band.
Shows Played[]
Orchestre Poly- Rythmo - Semassa (zero + zero)
- 1983
- 17 September 1983 (BFBS): Sêmassa (Zéro + Zéro) (album - Zero + Zero = Zero) Star Musique SMP 6019