RootsFhain-Documentation
LEE SCRATCH PERRY´S - VISION OF PARADISE
Lee Scratch Perry's Vision of Paradise is a unique project in many ways. It is the life story of the legendary musician, but it is not a biography, it is a fairytale documentary! The director followed Lee Perry for thirteen years and discovered an unbelievable story, a revelation, told about and with one of the major protagonists of contemporary music, the other half of the story that has never been told. The movie can be seen as a guide for how to change the world with music, with a positive attitude, mindset or, as Lee Perry calls it, vibration.
Soul Syndicate - Word, Sound & Power Documentary (1981)
No doubt many long-time reggae fans will be delighted with the DVD release of "Word, Sound And Power".
The latter had its Premiere at the 1980 San Francisco International Film Festival and since then spawned a devout following and a growing reputation among
reggae lovers who passed around worn-out VHS dubs. This truly worthwhile documentary about Reggae and the Soul Syndicate Band was filmed in Jamaica in 1979.
For much of the 1970s, one of the leading show and recording bands in Jamaica was the Soul Syndicate Band. It was a top-notch unit that included Drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis,
Bass Player George "Fully" Fullwood, guitarists Earl "Chinna" Smith and Tony Chin, Keyboardist Jamacca, Percussionist Goldfinger and Sax Player Enroy "Tenor" Grant.
The Soul Syndicate Band played on several of Dennis Brown's hits for Winston "Niney" Holness, including "Westbound Train" and "Cassandra". As their reputation grew,
so did the demand for them to play for other acts including Ken Boothe's "Silver Words"; Johnny Clarke's "Move Outa Babylon"; "My Heart Is Gone" by John Holt; "Green Bay Killing"
by Big Youth and "Uptown Top Ranking", a smash hit in Jamaica and the United Kingdom in 1977 for Althea & Donna. These tunes are the top of the iceberg as the Soul Syndicate Band
not always were credited under their own name.
The Story of Lovers Rock
In the 70s and 80s Britain was rife with racial tension and police harassment particularly against black British youths. These youths were the rebel generation who were also searching for an identity. They created a music - a sub genre of reggae known as Lovers Rock. This music became a global brand through artists like UB40 and Maxi Priest. The music brought a level of intimacy between young people that was unique. It was also 'girl power' music that empowered a generation of young women. Through comedy, live performance, dance, interviews and archive the film takes you back to an untold era of British cultural, music and political history.
Holding on to Jah
When we first met with the legendary actor "Countryman" in Jamaica, we drove into Hellshire late in the afternoon and a local Rasta took us out to the point where he lived.
We were all very excited to meet him including our long time friend Andrew Bassie Records - mr Bassman from downtown Kingston.
Out there on the sand, Countryman has a house put together by steel panels with only the sand as its floor.
Our guide knocked on the door as we waited. It had been almost 30 years since his movie came out.
We knocked again, then finally a steel panel slid open and Countryman walked out with no shirt, just like in the film.
Our good friend from Kingston said, "Holy Sh*t!!! It's really him!" We spent the remainder of the afternoon with him and delighted in his wonderful spirit and enthusiasm for Reggae, Rasta, and life.
See Countryman and more legends in the film HOLDING ON TO JAH!
ROCKERS
During the 1970s and 80s, the nascent Jamaican movie industry created a trio of films that have become cult favorites. The most famous, Perry Henzell's The Harder They Come (1973), is an unforgettable, unvarnished snapshot of life in Jamaica; Dickie Jobson's surreal Countryman (1984) is a mystic work steeped in Rastafarian culture; and Theodorous Bafaloukos' Rockers (1977) is a charismatic tale of violence and revenge set within Jamaica's reggae music scene. Out of the three, Rockers is perhaps the most enjoyable to watch, with crisp, colorful cinematography and a vibrant soundtrack. Featuring boisterous dialogue, a terrific cast, and a wonderful story, Rockers is simply a treat to watch.
RISE UP REGGAE STAR
"On an island where reggae is considered the voice of the people and an outlet for survival, Rise Up Reggae Star follows three aspiring artists who seek to 'rise up' from obscurity for their chance at success. This documentary takes the viewer off the beaten path, far from any tourist attractions and sandy beaches; yet it is still able to capture the beauty and magic that the Island has to offer. From the deep countryside to the whirlwind ghettos of Kingston, no matter where you are, the film makes it evident that music is the heartbeat of the culture. In a society where talent abounds and opportunity is scarce, Rise Up follows the very different lives of three artists struggling in their own unique way for their big break at stardom. Turbulence, the conscious ghetto youth with enough determination to move mountains; Ice, the young faux-gangster dancehall artist from the upper class; and Kemoy, the beautifully innocent country girl who barely realizes her amazing vocal gifts - their stories unfold as the film seamlessly interweaves their lives behind the backdrop of the bustling underground reggae scene of Jamaica. Five years in the making, Rise Up is able to capture the pure artistry and creativity of these three musicians in raw form while at the same time, able to bring the viewer into their personal lives, inside their most private moments, as they struggle to find their voice and discover their ability to overcome life's obstacles."
