Opolopo

Opolopo is the pseudonym of Peter Major, a producer and multi-instrumentalist from Sweden. The name combines his artistic identity with the Yorùbá word for “plenty”, reflecting a wide-ranging musical approach that draws on funk, soul, nu jazz, acid jazz and broken beat.

Background and development

Major begins making music in his early teens, experimenting first with cassette overdubbing and a Casio VL-Tone toy keyboard before moving on to synths, drum machines and computers. He spends part of his early creative development touring with his keyboardist father, and his listening is shaped by jazz fusion and musique concrète as well as artists such as Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber, Quincy Jones, Jean-Michel Jarre, Isao Tomita, Kraftwerk and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Style and collaborations

Opolopo works as a solo live act using keyboards, vocoder and modern production tools, and performs in settings ranging from solo shows to appearances with the jazz ensemble Expansions. He also works closely with Amalia Miz Fuze Townsend. His collaborations include the Dazz Band, Dudley Perkins, Craig David, Mr. V, Lanu, Simon Grey, Mpho Skeef, Eska and Sacha Williamson.

Recordings and labels

His music appears across more than a decade on labels including JVC Japan, Om Records, Warner Brothers, Tru Thoughts, Sony/BMG, Swedish Brandy and Especial Records. He also gains attention for bootleg remixes of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Erykah Badu.

Later work

Opolopo’s catalogue includes a third full-length album focused on 80s electro-funk, released on Tokyo Dawn Records.