By Lize Kubersky WINDHOEK The Namibian nation should give a standing ovation to local musicians such as Jackson Kaujewa, Elemotho, Formula Band and others who musically explore the spirit of the people and their culture. The Warehouse showcased these talents this week with a “Hello and Thank You” bash. “We don’t know how we deserve all this support, but we can only say thank you, by giving more,” said the director of the Warehouse, Ernst Herma. Impressive musicianship compelled the audience to listen further than the beats, and the lyrics ‘give a helping hand’, as performed by Formula Band, proved the message is bigger than the sound. Formula Band, lead singer N’Gato talks about his journey as a musician. “Like artists rightfully do, we take, adapt and form an identification of ourselves through music. Shambo, our music, is an adaptation of traditional music into instrumental flavour,” the self-taught musician, who plays the guitar, drums and saxophone, said. Born in 1975 in a refugee camp in Zambia, called Old Farm, 10 km from Lusaka, N’Gato Nganjone liberated himself through the sound of music. In an interview he recounted that he sang in the youth choir and played guitar at the tender age of nine. N’Gato came to Namibia in 1990 and schooled in Opuwo and Oshakati. In 1997, the singer/songwriter auditioned for the Mighty Dread Band. Since then, the Mighty Dread Band has transformed into Formula Band. Exploring and expanding, Formula Band has established its sound in the Namibian music industry, by performing at The Warehouse, Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, as well as at charity projects and commercial appearances. The band produces the music in their own studio, entitled IRY. “We identify life as a journey and not a destination, a road with many obstacles,” he said, remembering the time he lost his voice during a Swakopmund performance. Improvisation and a good crowd propelled the performance to success. He claims life is an opportunity to touch, to see, to laugh and to love. “Who Jah blesses, no one can curse. God has invested us with the gift of song. We are obligated to uplift the appreciation of tradition, reality, sexuality and identity,” he said. Members of the band include Mbwayakalola on lead guitar, Helvin on base, Tulonga on rhythm guitar, N’Gatu and Castro on vocals, Nafidi and Moses on percussions – together they produce contemporary Oshiwambo marinated in Reggae. The front man states, performing in Geneva, Montreal at a Jazz festival in 2005, is a cherished experience, where he performed with an arranged band, simply called N’Gato and Band. The organisers acknowledged that the English, Oshiwambo and Herero pieces contributed admirably to a culturally diverse festival. Sponsors who support the Shambo sensation include, the Tourism board, College of the Arts, Nakara, Air Namibia and FNCC. FNCC is also sponsoring the band to hold a concert in Gaborone, Botswana in March, as well as performing at the Durban Street Festival in June. April serves as the month when ‘Shaa Mboka Rocks’ will be launched. The album claims to speak to those who understand. With an aim to be internationally recognised, N’Gato explains the band stays true to sound exploration. Rehearsals are held three times per week. Here they experiment in projection, arranging the songs and improving instrumental skills. With true Namibian flavour and the beat of the waves, Formula Band has a winning formula to keep the audience intrigued.