Last September Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou played to a packed house at the Barbican Centre in London. There’s nothing unusual about a sold-out gig, but what was unusual was that this was ...

It’s been 20 years since Vincent Ahehehinnou and his bandmates in the Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou could afford to spend their days playing music. Back then, the band from Benin — formed in the ...

Three cult albums, culled from a repertory of over 500 songs, primed an expectant audience. Having the tag “voodoo funk” attached doesn’t do any harm to the band’s mystique either and, for once, it is ...

"I live in D.C. and want local news." "I believe in local journalism." "Y'all are doing real local D.C. journalism." "Washington City Paper has made me feel like I am part of the D.C. community." ...

The power of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo is instantly recognizable in "Pardon," a strong and wise song about the importance of forgiveness. (Courtesy of the artist) ...

Benin’s most masterful band follows the March release of their first album in more than 20 years, Cotonou Club, with a reworked, remastered update of their virtually unheard first album. Recorded in ...