Mangalepa, Les
Endurance
Based in Nairobi, Les Maneglepa are sovereigns in their own musical kingdom 'La Royaume Mangalepa' - which extends far beyound Kenya to encompass Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and DR Congo (wx-Zaire), The story of Les managalepa starts in 1960s when as members of Baba Gaston's band in Lubumbashi, they led the migration of musicians out of Zaire and into Eastern Africa, via Tanzania and on to Nairobi. Striking out on their own, they played their first gig as Les Mangalepa at the Park Inn, Nairobi, July 1976.. The name was corrupted from the Franch 'Marquez le Pas" meaning marching time' in which they parodied in the army style, laying down an irresistible beat, which became the stylistic expression for their ever-growing 'marching army' fans. The songs of this collection are taken from the period when Les Mangalepa were in their full pomp.