By Mike Owuor
The sprightly steps might have been reduced to laboured trudges, but there is no stopping Orchestra Les Mangelepa, a band whose name was inspired by the French phrase marquez le pas (marching time).
And as the legendary group celebrates its 33rd anniversary tonight with a performance at Alliance Francaise, Nairobi, bandleader and vocalist Kabila Kabanze Evany, says things can only get better.
"We are working on new songs, to complement live performances of our golden hits," he says.
The event will also mark the launch of Vituko, a ten-track album by John Monga, a core band member. It is recorded at Future Kids Studio and produced by Soundafrica.
Mangelepa, which was one of the bands formed from the split of Baba Gaston’s Baba National from Eastern Congo, was formed in 1976.
Led by ‘Le Capitaine’ Bwamy Walumona in the 1970s and 1980s, it released popular hits like Embakasi, Maindusa, Mimba, Nyako Konya, Walter, Kanema, Malawi Zikama, Safari ya Mangelepa, Odesia, Ole Ole, Amua, Dracula, Pambana and Maboko Pamba. Bwamy has since left the band and is now born again.
Although the band has in the past suffered splits and defections, members include Kalenga Nzanzi ‘Vivi’, Lutulu Kanicky ‘Macky’, Tambwe William, Twikale wa Twikale ‘Petit Pierre’, Kazadi Mbambu Zadios, Bukasa Kalle and Lawrence Moke.
However, Evany says Mangelepa is still looking for a club where it can regularly perform for its fans.
