Charles Ewanjé-Epée is one of Cameroon’s hidden musical treasures. Not that he’s unknown, far from it, but on the other hand, he’s clearly never had the fame he’d have the right to expect. That’s just the way it is. Musician, composer, arranger, teacher, his guitar playing is of a rare delicacy, and on Longe Lasu, in 1983, he graces us with remarkable African folk. Groove is not far away, and accompanied by Valery Lobé and Vicky Edimo, he also distils some acoustic makossa of the highest quality. The team is a professional one, with backing vocals from Sissy Dipoko and Sylvie Doumbé, brass from Patrick Bourgoin, Tony Russo and Glenn Ferris (yes, here too!) and percussion from Gilles Martin. Longe Lasu is an album of conscience and history (Engingilaye, Lumumba) but never forgets that the message gets across all the better when the music is king. We could almost have seen this album released on Chant Du Monde or Ocora! Oh, and yes, Charles Ewanjé is also the father of Maryse and Monique! A record picked up from the ever-relevant @thib_huitvic_record_seller
Longe Lasu – Charles Ewanjé, 1983
