Biography

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou is a band from Cotonou, Benin which plays afrobeat, funk, soukous and other styles, often based on Vodun rhythms. The group is sometimes referred to as "Tout Puissant" (French for "All Mighty") Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou was first formed by bandleader Clément Mélomé in 1968 under the name "Orchestre Poly-Disco" in the coastal town of Cotonou, Benin. Their debut album was originally released in 1973.

From the late 1960s through the early 1980s, the group recorded around 500 songs in a variety of musical styles for various Beninese record labels. A compilation of their back catalogue released on the Popular African Music label in 2003, followed by The Kings of Benin Urban Groove on Soundway Records the following year.

A series of compilations released by Analog Africa beginning in 2008 brought the band to greater global attention. This interest led the band to reform and tour internationally in 2009, and release two new studio albums: Cotonou Club, in 2011 and Madjafalao in 2016.