Melome Clement & L'International Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Zo Tche Kpo Do Te

ベナンの伝説的グループT.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo。その40年以上にわたる活動の中で250作以上のレコードを生み出し、数多くのメンバー交代を経ても、創設者であり作曲家、ヴォーカリスト、マルチ奏者のClément Melomeが常に中心にいた。  
本作はそんな彼らの代表曲「Zo Tche Kpo Do Te」を収録。Fon語で歌われたこの曲のタイトルは「俺の炎は消えない」という意味。オリジナル・アルバム『Melome Clement & L'International Orchestre Poly-Rythmo』からの一曲で、Canopyがリマスター＆リイシュー。スークース的な要素とディスコ的な疾走感、強烈なベースライン、ファンキーなギター、そして華やかなホーンが絡み合い、シンセやサイケなエフェクトが宇宙的な広がりを加える。そのサウンドは「Voodoo-disco」とも称される異次元のグルーヴ。  
さらに、Canopyが信頼を寄せる2組のプロデューサーによるリミックスも収録。Jose Marquezはライヴ・ベースとパーカッションを加え、原曲のスピリットを活かしつつ現代的にアップデート。Sol Power All-Starsは、ダブの感覚を取り入れながらアフロビートを深化させ、Clement Melomeの楽曲に新たな息吹を吹き込む。Ibibio Hornsによるホーンと銀河系シンセ・ソロも炸裂し、フューチャー・ヴィンテージ・アフロ・ファンクの最高峰がここに完成。

1. Zo Tche Kpo Do Te (Jose Marquez remix)
2. Zo Tche Kpo Do Te (original)
3. Zo Tche Kpo Do Te (feat The Ibibio Horns - Sol Power All Stars remix)

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The first in a two part series on Canopy documenting the work of the Beninoise supergroup, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who were responsible for an astonishing multitude of records, numbering well over 250 releases. While the group underwent numerous personnel changes over the course of their 40+ year legacy; the founder, composer, vocalist & multi-instrumentalist Clément Melome remained a constant and uniting force.

The title track, "Zo Tche Kpo Do Te", sung in Fon by bandleader Clément Melome translates as, "My Fire Will Not Go Out" and was taken from the self-titled LP "Melome Clement & L'International Orchestre Poly-Rythmo". It is here remastered and reissued by Canopy for the first time. This evocative song is a hybrid of soukous-like elements with a driving, almost disco beat and a relentless bassline shot through with funky guitars and triumphant horn arrangements. The atmosphere is given a cosmic sensibility with synth lines and psychedelic FX, culminating in a sonic cocktail that has often been described as "Voodoo-disco".

Accompanying the original version are two remixes by producers whose work Canopy has long admired.

Jose Marquez adds live bass and percussion to his "Mezcla", turning it into an uplifting opus that deftly dances the line between the original work and the modern elements, tastefully updating the sound to segue between the past and present.

Sol Power All-Stars up the ante with their powerful reinterpretation. Throbbing bass underpins a club focused yet dubbed out and psychedelic afrobeat over which Clement Melome's composition shines. The Ibibio Horns add complimentary horn arrangements and galactic synth solos. The end result is a master work in 21st century future-vintage afro funk creation.