For many years I've wanted to know the identity of the Camerounian group Mensy, whose scorching tune "Ane Ya" opened up the 1982 compilation LP Sound d'Afrique II (Mango MLPS 9754).
I'm sorry to say that 28 years of research have turned up nothing about Mensy, but many moons ago I was thrilled to discover a whole LP by the group in a long-lost African record store in DC. New Sounds of Africa Vol. 1 (Discafrique DARL 021) contains not only a longer, uncut version of "Ane Ya" but three more slices of Afro-funk that make your typical deracinated World Music™ sound like nursery rhymes!
As the LP sleeve contains no recording information at all I wish I could tell you who the nimble guitarist on "Ane Ya" is or who's responsible for the brilliant horn work of "Sotuc." I'll just have to let you hear for yourself. Enjoy!
Mensy - Ane Ya
Mensy - Dis-Le Moi
Mensy - Mari Na
Mensy - Sotuc
Download New Sounds of Africa Vol. 1 as a zipped file here.
I remember those days listening to all Mensy's musics and afro punk music but right now, I am listening to Somali Music, I never knew that living in Somali can make me be addicted to their music! Thanks for sharing these musics to listen to past songs!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Mensy is a group but a singer. On a Mekongo President lp I have a guy called Minsy does the back up vocals and plays guitar. It could be the same person as Mensy and perhaps the name on the Mekongo lp was a typing error, I think it is the same person because the track Ana Ye was written by Nsizoa and the co writer on 4 tracks of the Mekongo lp is also Nsizoa.
ReplyDeleteThe sound of the Mekongo lp is like the sound of the Mensy album, maybe it was recorded by the same musicians. Eventhough it was release on Richard Dick's Discafrique label it was certainly not produced by him, I think he must have leased it.
You could be right about that, Ronald. Actually the LP label lists the artist as "Minsy." No song credits, though. I just assumed Mensy was a group because it SOUNDS like a group, not just a singer with backup musicians.
ReplyDeleteHeyo John B, found your blog today, pretty sounds from Africa. I'm your fan,
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing........
greetings from Austria.....
sphynx you l'egyptien!!
ReplyDeleteHey there! thanks as always for the great music.. Im a big fan of your site, and also a DJ here in Richmond VA, might you be able to give me a tour of this long lost record store in DC sometime? : )
ReplyDeleteNo words so beauty...
ReplyDeleteHow is the back sleeve looking?
What's the order of the songs?
Thanks anyway.
Great music
What a find! Great music, and a mystery to boot. Loved this one, thank you!
ReplyDeletesounds like it could be Serge Minsy, who played keyboards as session musician (for Mekongo President) and issued a few solo albums as well. Some of his tunes are on my youtube channel, search for RealC38.
ReplyDeleteIt's just Mekongo President in his album "Bikutsi 80" AZEN 1083.
ReplyDeleteSong "Kare ma"
I don't know why it has been renamed.
Please check : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKX068oyPmg