MOVEMENT IN THE CITY - Movement in the City 3

As-Shams Archive Vol. 6: Movement in the City - Movement in the City 3

Transitioning from Black Disco through Movement in the City to releasing albums as a solo artist, Pops Mohamed's 20-year trajectory through the As-Shams catalogue is second to none. Coming in the wake of the Black Disco compilation Discovery 1975-1976, Movement in the City 3 is an archival release that spans the late-70s and early-80s and assembles hidden gems from Mohamed's second progressive South African jazz ensemble.

Featuring four outtakes (three of which are previously unreleased) as well as an alternate version of a track from the band's self-titled debut of 1979 and a single edit from its 1981 follow-up Black Teardrops, Movement in the City 3 provides the long-awaited final instalment of a trilogy that echoes the three-album output of Black Disco. Alongside Mohamed on organ are stalwart compatriots Sipho Gumede (bass) and Basil Coetzee (tenor sax/flute) as well as Robbie Jansen (alto sax) and three fine drummers by way of Gilbert Matthews, Roger Harry and Monty Weber. That these extraordinary recordings didn't find their way onto an album in the 1980s is testament to the depth of quality produced at the time.

Movement in the City 3 is Volume 6 in a series of compilations and previously unreleased recordings from As-Shams Archive that include Tete Mbambisa's African Day (2024) and Kippie Moeketsi's Hard Top (2025).

1. Can't Think 08:20

2. Philly Sound 05:21

3. Jackie (Flute Version) 05:07

4. Eventide (Happy Feelin') 08:30

5. Monty's Groove 03:32

6. Lament (Single Version) 06:18

DIGITAL ALBUM

Tracks 1, 2, 5: Previously unreleased Movement in the City outtakes.

Track 3: An alternate version of "Jackie" featuring Basil Coetzee on flute instead of tenor sax from Movement in the City's self-titled debut of 1979.

Track 4: Movement in the City outtake renamed and issued as "Happy Feelin'" on the Pops Mohamed album Kalamazoo in 1990.

Track 6: Single edit issued in 2020 of the album opener "Lament" from Movement in the City's 1981 album Black Teardrops.

TRACKS 1, 3:

Organ – Pops Mohamed

Flute – Basil Coetzee

Bass – Sipho Gumede

Drums – Gilbert Matthews

TRACKS 2, 4, 6:

Organ, Fender Rhodes, Synth – Pops Mohamed

Tenor Sax, Flute – Basil Coetzee

Alto Sax – Robbie Jansen

Bass – Sipho Gumede

Drums – Roger Harry

TRACK 5:

Organ – Pops Mohamed

Tenor Sax – Basil Coetzee

Bass – Sipho Gumede

Drums – Monty Weber

All Tracks Composed by Pops Mohamed

Sessions Produced by Rashid Vally

Tape Transfers by Rob Allingham

Remastered by Richard Vossgatter

Design and Layout by Ash Pederick

Compiled & Produced by Calum MacNaughton 

(with direction from Pops Mohamed)

Cat. No. ASA106

℗ 1979, 1981, 1990 © 2025 As-Shams Archive

MOVEMENT IN THE CITY - Black Teardrops

Keyboards • Organ • Guitar - Pops Mohamed

Tenor Sax - Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee (Flute on "Camel Walk")

Alto Sax • Flute - Robbie Jansen

Bass - Sipho Gumede (Peter Odendaal on "Camel Walk")

Drums - Roger Harry (Monty Weber on "Camel Walk")

 

Recorded at Satbel Studio ("Camel Walk" at Gallo)

Engineer: Phil Audoire

Produced by Rashid Vally

Original Release 1981 • Cat. No. SRK 786150

DIGITAL SINGLE

DIGITAL ALBUM

DECEMBER 2020: 1981 South African Soul-Funk-Jazz by the creator of the Black Disco albums. As underground jazz fermented in the social and political powder keg of early-80s South Africa, composer and bandleader Pops Mohamed retired the Black Disco moniker in favour of Movement in the City. The group's second offering under their new name yielded one of the most treasured releases in the As-Shams/The Sun catalogue by way of Black Teardrops, a singular blend of down-tempo and atmospheric South African rare groove featuring Dollar Brand saxophonist Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee and bass wizard Sipho Gumede. Sharp-Flat's 2020 reissue puts the album back in print for the first time in 40 years.

Pops Mohamed in Actonville, Benoni in January 2021

(Photo: Calum MacNaughton)

ANNOUNCING // MOVEMENT IN THE CITY - Black Teardrops

NOVEMBER 2020: "I can't wait. I wish Basil and Sipho were still alive to see this!" Pops Mohamed, October 2020. When Mohamed approached label director Rashid Vally at As-Shams in the mid-70s to pitch the idea of his Timmy Thomas-inspired Black Disco project, he never imagined that he would be tethered with two of the most sought-after session musicians in South African jazz, As-Shams stalwarts Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee (left) and bassist Sipho Gumede (right). Their 1975 debut would spur a string of memorable professional collaborations and a friendship that lasted decades. As alternative urban culture fermented in the social and political powder keg of early-80s South Africa, Mohamed retired the Black Disco moniker in favour of Movement in the City. Their second offering yielded one of As-Shams' most treasured releases by way of Black Teardrops (SRK 786150), a singular blend of down-tempo, atmospheric Soul-Funk-Jazz that's been out of print for nearly 40 years. We're pleased to announce a 2020 reissue in partnership with SHARP-FLAT. Grab this LINK for more details.

Movement in the City (L-R): Robbie Jansen (Alto Sax & Flute), Roger Harry (Drums), Pops Mohamed (Keyboards), Basil Coetzee (Tenor Sax). Absent: Sipho Gumede (Bass Guitar). Also featured on Black Teardrops are Peter Odendaal (Bass) and Monty Weber (Drums).