benin

<p>John Coltrane – Dahomey Dance</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/john-coltrane-dahomey-dance/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/john-coltrane-dahomey-dance/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/john-coltran</span><span class="invisible">e-dahomey-dance/</span></a></p><p>“Olé Coltrane” is the ninth album by jazz musician John Coltrane, released in 1961 on Atlantic Records.</p><p>Dahomey is the ancient name of Bénin, a West African country.</p><p>Two days prior to the recording of Olé Coltrane, Coltrane had made Africa/Brass, his inaugural recording session for his new label, Impulse! Records. […]</p><p><a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/jazz/" rel="tag">#Jazz</a></p>

<p>AfroLatino Vinyl Mix</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/afrolatino-vinyl-mix/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/afrolatino-vinyl-mix/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/afrolatino-v</span><span class="invisible">inyl-mix/</span></a></p><p>Fascinating AfroLatino / Latin music from West-Africa. All original vinyl from Bénin, Côte d’Ivoire, etc.</p><p><a href="/tags/afrocuban/" rel="tag">#AfroCuban</a> <a href="/tags/afrolatino/" rel="tag">#AfroLatino</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/cotedivoire/" rel="tag">#CoteDIvoire</a> <a href="/tags/mixtape/" rel="tag">#Mixtape</a> <a href="/tags/vinyl/" rel="tag">#Vinyl</a></p>

<p>Honoré Avolonto – Lonlon Simpé</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/honore-avolonto-lonlon-simpe-orchestre-black-santiago/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/honore-avolonto-lonlon-simpe-orchestre-black-santiago/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/honore-avolo</span><span class="invisible">nto-lonlon-simpe-orchestre-black-santiago/</span></a></p><p>Vinyl released in 1978. Composed and arranged by Honoré Avolonto with Orchestre Black Santiago.</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/afrofunk/" rel="tag">#AfroFunk</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/vinyl/" rel="tag">#Vinyl</a></p>

<p>Angelique Kidjo – Blewu, a cappella</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-blewu-st-paul-cathedral/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-blewu-st-paul-cathedral/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-ki</span><span class="invisible">djo-blewu-st-paul-cathedral/</span></a></p><p>Angelique Kidjo singing Blewu a cappella (and without a microphone), inside St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for the Voluntary Service Overseas’ Christmas concert.</p><p>From her album “Eve” in 2014.</p><p>Blewu is an Ewe dirge, a song for the dead to help them in their last journey towards their ancesters’ world. It’s an homage to all the […]</p><p><a href="/tags/angéliquekidjo/" rel="tag">#AngéliqueKidjo</a> <a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a></p>

<p>Lady cover for Red Hot + Fela</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/cover-lady-tune-yards-angelique-kidjo-akua-naru/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/cover-lady-tune-yards-angelique-kidjo-akua-naru/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/cover-lady-t</span><span class="invisible">une-yards-angelique-kidjo-akua-naru/</span></a></p><p>A cover of Fela Kuti‘s Lady with tUnE-yArDs, Angelique Kidjo, ?uestlove &amp; Akua Naru for the album Red Hot + Fela in 2013.</p><p><a href="/tags/angéliquekidjo/" rel="tag">#AngéliqueKidjo</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/felakuti/" rel="tag">#FelaKuti</a> <a href="/tags/cover/" rel="tag">#Cover</a></p>

<p>Ouinsou Corneille – Vinon So Minsou</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/ouinsou-corneille-black-santiago-vinon-so-minsou/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/ouinsou-corneille-black-santiago-vinon-so-minsou/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/ouinsou-corn</span><span class="invisible">eille-black-santiago-vinon-so-minsou/</span></a></p><p>“Vinon So Minsou” is from a 7″ vinyl released in 1979, composed by Ouinsou Corneille and recorded with Black Santiago de Cotonou as backing band. It’s available on the African Scream Contest compilation. […]</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/vinyl/" rel="tag">#Vinyl</a></p>

<p>Gangbé, the sound of metal</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/sound-metal-gangbe-brass-band/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/sound-metal-gangbe-brass-band/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/sound-metal-</span><span class="invisible">gangbe-brass-band/</span></a></p><p>Enjoy the Sound of Metal (Gangbe in Fon)!</p><p>The Gangbé Brass Band was a 10-member Beninese musical ensemble founded in 1994.</p><p>Disclaimer: I spent a lot of time with them...</p><p><a href="/tags/photography/" rel="tag">#Photography</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/brassband/" rel="tag">#BrassBand</a> <a href="/tags/soundcloud/" rel="tag">#Soundcloud</a> <a href="/tags/jazz/" rel="tag">#Jazz</a></p>

<p>Gilles Gnonnas – La musica en vérité (2013)</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/gilles-gnonnas-musica-verite/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/gilles-gnonnas-musica-verite/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/gilles-gnonn</span><span class="invisible">as-musica-verite/</span></a></p><p>Gilles Gnonnas singing “La musica en vérité”, a song by his father Gnonnas Pedro, in Cotonou in 2013 (@ CCF).</p><p><a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/cuba/" rel="tag">#Cuba</a> <a href="/tags/gnonnaspedro/" rel="tag">#GnonnasPedro</a> <a href="/tags/livemusic/" rel="tag">#LiveMusic</a> <a href="/tags/salsa/" rel="tag">#Salsa</a></p>

<p>Angelique Kidjo – Bomba</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-bomba/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-bomba/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-ki</span><span class="invisible">djo-bomba/</span></a></p><p>From her album “Eve”, tribute to the women of Benin and their traditional outfit named “Bomba” (bom’ba) by Angélique Kidjo.</p><p>A bomba is a two-piece set consisting of a loose camisole and a loincloth for women, or trousers for men.</p><p>Listen to the remixed version too…</p><p><a href="/tags/angeliquekidjo/" rel="tag">#AngeliqueKidjo</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/remixed/" rel="tag">#Remixed</a></p>

<p>Léon Keita – Gnanassouma</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/leon-keita-gnanassouma/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/leon-keita-gnanassouma/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/leon-keita-g</span><span class="invisible">nanassouma/</span></a></p><p>From the legendary Rail Band from Bamako to les Ambassadeurs internationaux, Leon Keita, singer et guitar player, forged his manding sound and later recorded 2 solo albums. A fixture on the Malian music scene, Leon Keïta was born in Conakry on the Atlantic coast of Guinea in 1947. After completing his studies he found his […]</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/guinea/" rel="tag">#Guinea</a> <a href="/tags/oldafricanmusic/" rel="tag">#OldAfricanMusic</a></p>

<p>When you&#x27;re on the road, you can see so many babies like this, when mama travels via zemidjan (Zem aka taxi-moto)...</p><p>Photo: Riozda Pictures</p><p>A few tributes to Zems in songs: <a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/taxi-moto-zemidjan-kekenon/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/taxi-moto-zemidjan-kekenon/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/taxi-moto-ze</span><span class="invisible">midjan-kekenon/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/africa/" rel="tag">#Africa</a> <a href="/tags/photography/" rel="tag">#Photography</a></p>

<p>Angelique Kidjo – OYO, une enfance africaine</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-oyo-enfance-africaine/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-oyo-enfance-africaine/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-ki</span><span class="invisible">djo-oyo-enfance-africaine/</span></a></p><p>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. […]</p><p><a href="/tags/angeliquekidjo/" rel="tag">#AngeliqueKidjo</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/cover/" rel="tag">#Cover</a> <a href="/tags/unicef/" rel="tag">#UNICEF</a></p>

<p>Viva Africando</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/viva-africando-album-2013/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/viva-africando-album-2013/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/viva-african</span><span class="invisible">do-album-2013/</span></a></p><p>¡Viva Africando! ¡Viva! (2013)</p><p>Africando’s 8th (and last) studio album, this is the first not recorded primarily in New York. This time the Africando masterminds, producer Ibrahima Sylla and arranger Boncana Maïga, bring New York’s top Latin musicians – led by pianist Oscar Hernandez – to Paris. There they reunite with the group’s vocal stars, […]</p><p><a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/burkinafaso/" rel="tag">#BurkinaFaso</a> <a href="/tags/caboverde/" rel="tag">#CaboVerde</a> <a href="/tags/haiti/" rel="tag">#Haiti</a> <a href="/tags/salsa/" rel="tag">#Salsa</a> <a href="/tags/senegal/" rel="tag">#Senegal</a></p>

<p>Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Madjafalao</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-madjafalao/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-madjafalao/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-po</span><span class="invisible">ly-rythmo-madjafalao/</span></a></p><p>For their first new album since 2011, Madjafalao released in 2016 by Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, here’s a short interview with Calypso Rose.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymVB7tlEeLw" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymVB7tlEeLw"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymVB7t</span><span class="invisible">lEeLw</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a></p>

<p>Medicine Man Orchestra – Les Rythmes</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/medicine-man-orchestra-rythmes/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/medicine-man-orchestra-rythmes/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/medicine-man</span><span class="invisible">-orchestra-rythmes/</span></a></p><p>The Medicine Man Orchestra project was born from the meeting between the Beninese griot Seidou Barassounon and the French producer Mathieu Insa. It is a true sensory journey that brings together on stage the percussions of Mélissa Hié (Burkina Faso), the electronic machines of Alissa Sylla (Senegal) and the incantations of the griot. [...]</p><p><a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/burkinafaso/" rel="tag">#BurkinaFaso</a> <a href="/tags/sénégal/" rel="tag">#Sénégal</a> <a href="/tags/electro/" rel="tag">#Electro</a></p>

<p>Benin coup attempt...</p><p><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/12/7/benin-attempt-coup-live-soldiers-on-state-tv-claim-to-have-toppled-talon" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/12/7/benin-attempt-coup-live-soldiers-on-state-tv-claim-to-have-toppled-talon"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblo</span><span class="invisible">g/2025/12/7/benin-attempt-coup-live-soldiers-on-state-tv-claim-to-have-toppled-talon</span></a></p><p>I live in Benin, in the suburbs far from Cotonou. All the churches around the house seem active as usual on Sundays, so I&#x27;d say no threatening activity is happening or visible right now... at least far from the political center.</p><p>Will tell you more if anything happens...</p><p><a href="/tags/africa/" rel="tag">#Africa</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/coup/" rel="tag">#Coup</a></p>

<p>Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-super-borgou-parakou-bariba-sound/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-super-borgou-parakou-bariba-sound/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-su</span><span class="invisible">per-borgou-parakou-bariba-sound/</span></a></p><p>Super Borgou de Parakou was a band created by Moussa Mama and guitarist Menou Roch. This group, influenced by Afrobeat and Funk in the 1970s, also drew inspiration from Beninese folk music such as Bariba and Dendi.</p><p>The Bariba Sound 1970-76<br>Originating from the Kwara state of northwest Nigeria, the Bariba – a predominantly Islamic […]</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/compilation/" rel="tag">#Compilation</a> <a href="/tags/blaugust/" rel="tag">#Blaugust</a> <a href="/tags/blaugust2025/" rel="tag">#Blaugust2025</a></p>

<p>Manu Dibango – Waka Juju</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/manu-dibango-waka-juju/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/manu-dibango-waka-juju/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/manu-dibango</span><span class="invisible">-waka-juju/</span></a></p><p>Waka Juju is an ode to Juju Music on this 6-track album from 1982.</p><p>Mixing Afrobeat, Highlife and Jazz Funk influences across 6 tracks, Dibango incorporated electronic elements into his sound, with synths played by legend Wally Badarou.</p><p><a href="/tags/80smusic/" rel="tag">#80smusic</a> <a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/cameroon/" rel="tag">#Cameroon</a> <a href="/tags/highlife/" rel="tag">#Highlife</a> <a href="/tags/jazz/" rel="tag">#Jazz</a> <a href="/tags/jujumusic/" rel="tag">#JujuMusic</a> <a href="/tags/livemusic/" rel="tag">#LiveMusic</a> <a href="/tags/manudibango/" rel="tag">#ManuDibango</a> <a href="/tags/afrobeat/" rel="tag">#AfroBeat</a></p>

<p>Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Ecoute ma Melodie</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-cotonou-ecoute-melodie/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-poly-rythmo-cotonou-ecoute-melodie/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-po</span><span class="invisible">ly-rythmo-cotonou-ecoute-melodie/</span></a></p><p>“Ecoute ma mélodie” and “Houzou Houzou Wa” by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo are available on the compilation “The Skeletal Essences Of Afro Funk 1969​-​1980” Take Funk, Soul, Psychedelia and Rumba, mix it up with a thick dose of heavy local rhythms and throw everything in a Benin grinder. The brew is then mixed up with hypnotic Farfis</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/photography/" rel="tag">#Photography</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/soundcloud/" rel="tag">#Soundcloud</a></p>

<p>Avolonto Honoré – Agbénon Hévi</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/avolonto-honore-agbenon-hevi/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/avolonto-honore-agbenon-hevi/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/avolonto-hon</span><span class="invisible">ore-agbenon-hevi/</span></a></p><p>“Avolonto Honoré de Cotonou” (1944-2017), chanteur et musicien béninois, commence sa carrière en tant que percussionniste. On le retrouve ensuite avec l’Orchestre Black Santiago, puis l’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo.2 morceaux (Agbénon Hévi et Avi Yaman Houé) extraits d’un album paru probablement au début des années 80, avec Poly-Rythmo.</p><p><a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/vinyl/" rel="tag">#Vinyl</a> <a href="/tags/oldafricanmusic/" rel="tag">#OldAfricanMusic</a></p>

<p>Gangbé Brass Band – Yemonoh</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/yemonoh-gangbe-brass-band/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/yemonoh-gangbe-brass-band/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/yemonoh-gang</span><span class="invisible">be-brass-band/</span></a></p><p>Yemonoh (or He Mon Non Ho or Yemonoho) is taken from the album Whendo (Roots) in 2004.</p><p>PS: When filming video clips in Africa, it’s usually impossible not to have plenty of kids all around…</p><p><a href="/tags/bénin/" rel="tag">#Bénin</a> <a href="/tags/brassband/" rel="tag">#BrassBand</a> <a href="/tags/afrojazz/" rel="tag">#AfroJazz</a></p>

<p>Tchico Tchicaya – The Golden Voice</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/tchico-tchicaya-golden-voice/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/tchico-tchicaya-golden-voice/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/tchico-tchic</span><span class="invisible">aya-golden-voice/</span></a></p><p>“The Golden Voice of Africa” is the nickname of Denis Pambou Tchicaya (aka Tchico Tchicaya), Congolese songwriter, guitar player and arranger, born near Pointe-Noire.</p><p>Between 1972 and 1976, he’s part of Les Bantous de la capitale, one of the main orchestras during this period, where he’s one of the solo singers.<br>[…]</p><p><a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/congo/" rel="tag">#Congo</a> <a href="/tags/nigeria/" rel="tag">#Nigeria</a> <a href="/tags/rumba/" rel="tag">#Rumba</a> <a href="/tags/soukous/" rel="tag">#Soukous</a> <a href="/tags/oldafricanmusic/" rel="tag">#OldAfricanMusic</a></p>

<p>Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Iya Me Dji Kibi Ni</p><p><a href="https://amf.didiermary.fr/poly-rythmo-cotonou-iya-me-dji-kibi-ni/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="amf.didiermary.fr/poly-rythmo-cotonou-iya-me-dji-kibi-ni/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">amf.didiermary.fr/poly-rythmo-</span><span class="invisible">cotonou-iya-me-dji-kibi-ni/</span></a></p><p>Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou is arguably West Africa’s best-kept secret. Their output, both in quantity and quality, was astonishing.</p><p>During several trips to Benin Analog Africa managed to collect roughly 500 songs which Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou had recorded between 1970 and 1983. The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese [...]</p><p><a href="/tags/70smusic/" rel="tag">#70smusic</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/oldafricanmusic/" rel="tag">#OldAfricanMusic</a></p>

<p>The Cavemen. + Angelique Kidjo + Fally Ipupa - “Nadi Balance”<br>Feat. Sheila Maurice-Gray on trumpet<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snQ_XUMv_No" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.youtube.com/watch?v=snQ_XUMv_No"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.youtube.com/watch?v=snQ_XU</span><span class="invisible">Mv_No</span></a></p><p>The Cavemen. are a Nigerian highlife band consisting of sibling duo Kingsley Okorie, a bassist, and Benjamin James, a drummer.</p><p><a href="/tags/nigeria/" rel="tag">#Nigeria</a> <a href="/tags/benin/" rel="tag">#Benin</a> <a href="/tags/congo/" rel="tag">#Congo</a></p>