What we in the West call "Voodoo" is called "Vodoun" in its birthplace of Benin, West Africa. The rituals of this religion are always accompanied by music featuring multiple rhythms played on drums and other bits of percussion. In the 1970s a group of Beninese musicians swapped traditional Vodoun instruments for the electric guitar, psychedelic organ and funk bass. They became known as The Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou and they put out a heap of vinyl. Over intervening years, most of these records warped in the West African heat and were ruined. But thankfully the guys at Analog Africa have, during repeated visits to the record shops of Benin, hunted down some rare diamonds. They've since released a collection of this music entitled "The Vodoun Effect" 1972-1975 - Funk & Sato from Benin´s Obscure Labels. Have a listen.
