“Asafo Beesuon” (Medley) by C.K. Mann & Carousel 7

Charles Kofi Amankwaa Mann (aka C.K. Mann) was born in 1936 in Cape Coast, Ghana. In 1965, after his group the Ocean’s Strings disbanded, the owner of a local movie theater and night club asked him to front his newly formed resident band, The Carousel 7. Soon after, C.K. Mann & Carousel 7 signed with regional record label Essiebons and released their first album, Party Time with “Ceekay.”

“Asafo Beesuon” is from C.K. Mann & Carousel 7’s second album, Funky Highlife. It’s a monster song from a monster record with a limited pressing in Africa. This version is actually “Asafo Beesuon” plus the entire first side of the album- mistakes and all.
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I love this track and version, from its classic Osode influenced drumming, to the interplay between the organ and bass (1:46), to the shimmery guitars set against the cascade of vocals. It’s a rare track from a rare album and fantastic mix of Highlife and Funk. It’s also one of my all-time favorite songs.