20 May 2010 The Bassline will roar with an eclectic mix of poetry and song when the unofficial music minister Pops Mohamed launches his 37th album Society Vibes_4WD>> on May 26th 201O. Pops is planning an enigmatic show featuring his full ensemble Pops Mohamed and Friends in the first major performance of the album since it was released in March.    

Pops is a musician like no other, focusing on using various instruments to create a new world around his audience. This maestro uses the senses to take his fans on a universal journey of song through the strings of the mbira, the scales of vocal chants and the pangs of the keyboard.  

The launch promises to be an exceptional and intimate window into his world. It will be hosted in the smaller venue at the Bassline where Pops the magician will cast his spell through tracks like ‘Only Your Love’ (performed by Zubz and Ntsiki Mazwai on the record) and ‘My Journey’ performed by former ‘Isidingo’ actress Lesego Motsepo on the album.) As an added special bonus; the launch will be recorded and released as a live DVD.

Often referred to as the unofficial minister of music, Pops Mohamed is adored for his skills and talent by his peers while younger musicians admire him and are in awe of his instrumental skills accompanied by his passion and knowledge of the world, fueled by the intimate fire of his music.

As if in testimony of this the journey completing Society Vibes_Fast 4WD>> took 18months. This album picks up from the precedence set by Society Vibes_ A New Hope, released 13 years ago. Pops has also taken a new approach on this record - he invited several guests into his home studio in Norwood to work with him on this fresh and young record.   

He says, “Deciding on the kind of songs and choosing the appropriate artists for the Society Vibes_ Fast 4WD>> project, was a mission in itself. It all finally came together almost towards the end of 2009. I think I chose the muso's well and it was worth the long wait!”

For now only Johannesburg will be able to experience the thrill of Society Vibes_Fast4WD>>, “There are immediate plans to shoot a music video first before taking the show on the road,” say Pops reassuringly, “But yeah, we are planning to tour and showcase the album in South Africa and abroad after the world cup is over. However I'm planning to do indoor concerts during the World Cup, with and without my band.”


Other Noteworthy Facts:

• Tickets cost R70 at the door, Bassline
• Show starts at 8.00pm
• Pops has created 37 albums
• He has been nominated for a Best Jazz Fusion Album at the OKTV awards in 1991.
• In 1997 ‘Ancestral Healing’ won an award at the 3RD Annual FNB SAMA in the Best Traditional Jazz PERFORMANCE.
• In 1998 Pops Mohamed along with Bruce Cassidy, won the 4th Annual FNB South African Music Awards for The Best Instrumental Performance for their album ‘Timeless’.
• His nickname Pops dates back to his childhood enthusiasm for the comic seaman Popeye.
• Pops has recorded in South Africa, Germany, Copenhagen, Vietnam, Belgium, New York, Oslo, Finland, Ireland, Zanzibar (with Zena Edwards), Namibia, Nepal and London.
• Pops Mohamed, one of the few musicians in South Africa who can play Kora,
• Pops also performed for Quincy Jones at a function a few years back, where Quincy and Shabaaz (Malcolm X’s daughter) praised him for his performance and in return invited Pops to the US.