New Live Music Venue in Soho:
Words and Photos By Sunny Leung

Hong Kong newest live music venue is Nzingha Lounge at 48 Peel St Soho. This cool African lounge caters to people who want to dance and chat to people without having to yell. Live music kicked off there last week with “Not Rocket Science” which is a music “project” rather than a band but don’t let that put you off. I spoke to Australian organizer Mark Aldred and African proprietor Amina Lamarie Delafoulhouse on the first night and found nothing consciously “arty” about either of them or the project .

SUNNY: What’s the idea then.

Mark: Well I’m normaly a photojournalist but I had a PA and a drum kit and some amps left over from my last band and I had just been playing a duo with Chris Dundon at the “Joyce is Not Here” Cafe just down the road and then this beautiful African woman walked in and …………….

Amina: Stop flattering me ! I asked him if he could organize some live music for me at short notice. And the next thing he comes in with a drummer like DC who also sings like Steve Wonder and this older Australian guy Tony (O’Farrell) and they play music like ….. with a great feel and interesting and not too loud. Then James Wolfe (sculptor/drummer) came in when DC was overbooked and then we get incredible African guys come in Like Bitsho and Thierry Nkle Faha and that old English guy who can make a harmonica sound like a saxophone.

Mark: Ah yes you mean Gowdown Dave and that’s how I’d always wanted it. So I SMSed a bunch of people including some girls who did Amina’s dance class before we started to play then stayed on. and it worked and we had some other good guest players like Neil “Bunnyman” Stewart and Greg Thomas (who I had played with a lot before) and last week ABA came in and blew the room away. And then there DJs Kile and John Played great African music and Reggae between sets and charmed all the female guests

Amina: And I still don’t understand how we got great people at short notice but I asked him and Greg (Thomas) to do an emergency Friday

Mark: At short notice so we couldn’t grab a drummer so we used a drum machine.

Amina: and it still worked

Mark: but the reason we get good people is that they know this venue is going to make serious money for them as soon as everybody learns to find it. It’s big enough that the musos and the owner can make money without jamming people in like sardines, they can have a good meal at a good price before drinking. Women find t very safe because we have two large very charming very fit African dj’s who wont tolerate obnoxious men harrassing customers they can warm up with Amina’s dance classes.

SUNNY: So what's the philosophy

Mark: No Head banging ear bursting stuff

Amina: Good food and good cocktails

Mark: no racism or other prejudice everybody mingles. Black white/yellow/brown, straight/gay male female/ local or tourist.

Amina: And Everything has good to have a good rhythm

Mark: Easy for musicians everything is plug and play.