Vibrations Studios

Another band from the Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville. Nounga is a young dynamic band formed in 1996 in Brazzaville. It brings out African salsa/jazz sounds that soothes the heart. They mostly performed in Congo with great names like Koffi Olomide, Zao, Loko wa kanza and have shared the stage with Youssou' n Dour at the 1996 Pan African Festival. In 1997 the bandleader, Jean Patrick Mouanga left Congo for South Africa to look for greener pastures as it has always being their dream to be based in SA. The hardship of war and the passion for music saw them all coming down to South Africa in 2004 to bring audience their Salsa,Zouk, afro-jazz,and afro beat.

This proved to be a difficult escape from the war torn Congo, leaving behind their heritage and their relatives. This band has been together for eight years, have persevered through the test of time, and this reflects in the wealth and richness of different sounds and messages in their music.

They arrived in South Africa and during their stay met with Mohammed Fall the first black owner and Director of a production studio (Vibration Studios) in Cape Town, with whom they managed to clinch a recording and management deal. They then started rehearsing at vibration studios and followed by performances at various places like Marimba, Manenberg jazz Café to name a few, and hopefully in the near future will be recording their debut album, which will attract massive support and attention in South Africa and internationally.

Their Congolese Makossa music has infiltrated into Southern Africa and other African countries over time. Tourists from all over have appreciated their style of music because of the salsa presence in their music. This is indeed “ a very refreshing sounds coming from the talented West Africans complementing all other African music .” Yet another band that is made entirely of refugees to make a name for themselves despite their status and their constant battle with xenophobia and prejudice in South Africa.

Check out their weekly performances @ Marimba on Sundays and @ Mannemburg Jazz Café on Mondays.

Working under new management has assisted the band reach the heights they are currently at, and they are aiming for much higher so watch more of this space!