Les Mangalepa

about

Congolese musicians who settled in Nairobi, Kenya, Les Mangalepa became one of the biggest bands in East Africa in the late 70s, when they recorded these tracks. Sweet and soulful, this is music that bridges the gap between early "golden age" sounds like rumba and the then fomenting soukous. Based in Nairobi, Les Mangalepa are sovereigns in their own musical kingdom 'Le Royaume Mangalepa' - which extends far beyond Kenya to encompass Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and DR Congo (ex-Zaïre). The story of Les Mangalepa starts in the 1960s when, as members of Baba Gaston’s band in Lubumbashi, they led the migration of musicians out of Zaïre 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, in July,1976. The name was corrupted from the French ‘Marquez le Pas’ meaning 'marching time', in which they parodied the army style, laying down an irresistible beat, which became the stylistic expression for their ever-growing 'marching army' of fans. The songs in this collection are taken from the period when Les Mangelepa were in their full pomp. They conjure memories of a golden period of East African music when the crowds flocked to Uhuru Park, Garden Square, Tents Club and Park Inn. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

top songs

albums

Endurance

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Aoko

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The Great East African Trip (A Musical Journey Through Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Beyond)

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The Great East African Trip

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The Great East African Trip (A Musical Journey Through Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and

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Kenyan Congolese

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Internet radio

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African Soundscapes,Vol.3

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Endurance (Disc 1)

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Jabali

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So This Is 2014 Vol 1

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2344 - Juan Carl.Oz

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