The Ottawa Xpress
Music Cameo
April 1997

The Mighty Popo CD Release Party

Saturday, April 26, Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St., 8 p.m., $7

Jacques "Popo" Murigande practically defines the term "unassuming," but his quiet manner belies a talent for show-stopping guitar playing and powerful vocals, as heard on his debut CD, Tamba.

The Mighty Popo is a familiar sight around Capital City. You will likely have seen him with Raggamuffin, the Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo, The Hammerheads or Ras Lee's band. Perhaps you caught the guitarist on one of his gigs backing Dutch Mason's band, as well.

Popo brings a different sensibility to each project he involves himself in, but he points out that Tamba offers him a chance to incorporate those many elements into a cohesive whole.

"That's my work," he says. "I am always trying to do as much as I can do - if I work with another band, like Raggamuffin, I do what they expect me to do, but this is the music that comes out of me."

The music that comes out of the Mighty Popo is essentially a musical dichotomy of the Burundi born musician's African roots and his fondness for Chicago blues. When the twain meet, the results are powerful indeed.

It is, in fact, remarkable to think that Popo recalls obtaining his first electric guitar only in 1990. "I was playing harp before that," he says. "I still believe that I have so much to learn. I am still learning every day. But no one can say they've learned it all."

Perhaps, but Popo has learned well, and his CD's world music blend has been captured effectively by Popo and co-producer Ross Murray's handpicked band. The large band may be difficult to organize for a tour, of course, but the full sound is a key element of Popo's music.

"When people think of a big band," Popo adds, "they see horns. I see percussion. I want people to listen to the ensemble, not to look at me. There should be a lot of things going on in the band, and people should remember that it is always the other guys who are making that guy up front work so well."

Allan Wigney