Imagine if in 1977 you approached the Jamaican government with a proposal to make a film about the burgeoning reggae scene. Then imagine if considering it ghetto music they refused, suggesting you focus on their thriving jazz or calypso scene. You agree but then secretly film reggae, conducting interviews at home with legends like Joe Higgs (Bob Marley’s teacher), while he’s chugging down a giant spliff, U Roy and the Mighty Diamonds, and capture a live performance from Third World. Perhaps that’s not enough, how about an interview with Jimmy Cliff? Then a jam session in his garage with legends Sly and Robbie. Of course you had to pay Cliff with a new fridge for the privilege but it’s definitely worth it. Then you wander down the street to Lee Perry’s house and drop into his garage/ studio the Black Ark and capture a studio session with the Upsetters, with a wired Scratch Perry dancing and twiddling knobs with glee. If that’s not enough then you track down the Abyssian’s recording their incredible Rastafarian harmonies and finish off with a concert from Bob Marley and the Wailers. Well it’s the story of Jeremy Marre, a British filmmaker who also weaves in much of the social unrest at the time, filming in some of the most poverty stricken regions you will ever see, capturing riots, yet also filming daily life in the streets and record shops, even traveling up to the hills to capture the rastafarians, trying to provide a context to the incredible music. In fact the only problem with this 60 minute documentary is that it ends. In fact the whole doco could have quite easily been based in Lee Scratch Perry’s studio or with young hopefuls coming down from the hills to perform for talent spotter Jack Ruby in the hope of securing a record deal. This is a doco firmly entrenched with the musicians, the filmmakers hanging out with the musicians as they roll up their scoobs and compose. Remarkable.
Extra Features: 12 page booklet, a fascinating commentary from director Jeremy Marre detailing anecdotes and some of the behind the scenes wrangling, there’s also a bunch a live recorded tracks from the time of filming that were cut a little during the doco.
-Bob Baker Fish
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