West African Beat: Rare 7s and EPs from Benin and Niger

For the last few years Acid Jazz has been the proud custodian of the Albarika Store legacy. Hailing from the small but culturally-significant state of Benin, the label was operational from the late-‘60s until the early ‘80s, and was home to some of the finest, deepest, rawest West African cuts ever.

A font of local and regional music, infused with contemporary Western influences, the beating heart of the Albarika sound was the mighty T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who in various guises released dozens of recordings for the label, under the leadership of Mêlomé Clément. The intoxicating originality of their sound stems from their combination of folkloric and sacred rhythms of the region, with the modernist sound of soukous, afrobeat, soul and funk. Recorded at EMI Studios in Lagos, these recordings have a unique high fidelity and have been a target for grail-hunting record collectors for decades.

For this incredible 2LP collection, Dean Rudland and David Hill compile the Poly-Rythmo 45 releases; 7” single and EP sides lost to the seeds of time, until now. Brought together for the first time, presented in a beautiful wide spine layout, the 2 LPs present a snapshot of some of the group’s finest work from the ‘70s, their distinctive beat already honed. The printed inner sleeves include images of the rare and collectable original labels and sleeves, along with sleeve notes by Francis Gooding.

Released: April 2026
Cat: AJX2LP845
Label: Acid Jazz

Listen

Tracklist

1. E Wa Dagbe
2. Ma Dou Sou Nou Mi O
3. Agnon Dekpe
4. Wo-Deka Koe
5. Les Djos -D'Almeida
6. Salabogo
7. Hin Ayi Towe Do Ye Wou
8. Houegbe N'Dou Nou We
9. Nous Avons Gagne
10. Ati Sissin
11. Akon Kpin Kpan Ni Kpe We
12. Hontontché Man Kou Do Yon Nou Ou O
13. Tombola Tche Dou Nou
14. A Houe Nou Ko Yi
15. Hin Houide Glium
16. Mi Ma Da Mlon O