‘Afro Latin Via Cotonou’ from Benin

Tom Schnabel’s DJ pick for today is vintage music from Cotonou, Benin. It’s music recorded in the 1960s and 70s that has never been released in the United States before. The 2-CD set is part of a series called AfroLatin.

Hazmat MODINE in Tatarstan

Life of a touring band: We are off to meet Gangbe brass band from Benin and play a collaborative set at the “creation of peace” festival in Kazan the capital of Tatarstan [...]

Hazmat Modine’s New Album “Cicada”

It is the band’s collaborative effort with the Beninese-based Gangbé Brass Band.

Angelique Kidjo

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo about her honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music; and takes time to speak with legendary West African record producer Ibrahim Sylla about the differences between West African pop music and “world music.” Download MP3

• Video: Interview with Angelique Kidjo from 2008
• Angelique Kidjo’s website

Between Ghana and Benin

For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking for the country between Ghana and Benin in West Africa. One of this country’s most popular tourist attractions is the crumpled remains of an airplane…

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou

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Even though the music business continues to suffer economically, record labels are still releasing lots of old music that’s been re-mastered and tweaked so it sounds fresher than ever. Columbia is about to re-issue everything Miles Davis recorded for them. 70 CDs in total. But I want to talk about the music of an old band that few people in the west have ever heard of: “Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou.” We hear more today about Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou. Download MP3