John Mason

John Mason capably stepped in following Stevie Houston's departure.  Masterful songs like Gormenghast and Sheba's Song that he wrote for Modern Masquerades are Fruupp classics. The latter song was adapted by rap star Talib Kweli on his new album "Ear Drum" as the track "Soon the New Day" (dueted with Norah Jones), hitting #2 in the Billboard Chart in August/September 2007.  See:
 http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/article2919710.ece

Fruupp on the up [Published: Sunday 2, September 2007 - 09:40]; By Eddie McIlwaine

And Magherafelt born showbiz impresario Paul Charles today launches a search for his old pal, Ulster born keyboard player John Mason, who played in the 70s cult band Fruupp, to tell him the good news. For the pair co-wrote a song which was a minor UK hit for the band back in the 70s and which has now been covered by rapper Talib Kweli (inset) on his new album which has crashed into the US Billboard charts at number two. It's called Sheba's Song, lyrics by Paul, to a melody written by Mason, originally from Belfast. "Sheba's Song was a favourite when Fruupp played places like the Ulster Hall for the late Jim Aiken," recalls Charles, who was band manager.

And now after all these years it has been picked up by rapper Talib Kweli from Brooklyn, who has changed the title to Soon the New Day and released it as a track on his new album Ear Drum. Talib likes the track so much that he is keen to launch Soon the New Day as a single. "It's a kind of fairytale and would make a plot for one of my novels," says Charles who writes thrillers when he's not putting bands and singers on the map. "I need to talk to John Mason about royalties and he will be anxious to hear about Kweli's schedule for the UK so that he can go and see this rapper in action with our song." Our picture of Fruupp's past line-up shows, from the left, Peter Farrelly, Mason, Martin Foye and Vincent McCusker.

"But I haven't seen John, who is now in his 50s, for years," adds Charles. "He was an important member of Fruupp when they were cutting their four albums which were quite successful." Kweli, who records for his own Blacksmith label, calls himself a rap visionary and had hits with We Got the Beat, Broken Glass, Gun Music and For Women.

    
John Mason enjoying a night of classical music at the Albert Hall in London, 2005

Message from a relative of John Mason: " I am John's brother-in-law and see John regularly at his flat in south London.
Sadly John had a brain aneurism & stroke in October 2008 and is now confined to a wheelchair...paralysed all down his left side. He remains reasonably well and is still very interested in music....although mainly now classical, opera and jazz. Sadly he plays piano only one handed now but can still sound remarkably good."