Product Description

'Roots Rock Reggae' depicts an unforgettable moment in Jamaica's history when music defined the island's struggles and immortalised its heroes. Director Jeremy Marre films Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Lee Scratch Perry record in his legendary Black Ark studio with The Upsetters. Jimmy Cliff rehearses with Sly and Robbie, while Inner Circle's historic live gig is recorded on the violent Kingston streets. The legendary Abyssinians harmonise their haunting Rastafarian songs; Joe Higgs (formerly Bob Marley s teacher) plays and talks; majestic toaster U Roy raps alongside The Mighty Diamonds, and Third World record in a Kingston studio. There is also early archive footage of Toots and the Maytals, and Haile Selessie's royal visit to Jamaica while police and thieves battle it out on the streets, and the ghettos erupt in violence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13751 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-03-12
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Synopsis
Dubbed the ‘cry of the people’, reggae music is synonymous with Jamaica and its struggles. BEATS OF THE HEART depicts an unforgettable time in the island’s history, when pioneers such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry were laying down their musical legacy. Director Jeremy Marre presents an in-depth and intelligent look at the genre’s social and political import, as illustrated and contextualised by early archive footage.

Review
Roots Rock Reggae is a from-the-streets celebration of the glory days of Jamaican reggae. With plenty of evocative scenes of life in the Trenchtown ghetto, politics, poverty, music and social history are interwoven to create a unique time capsule that captures reggae at the absolute pinnacle of its Rastafarian righteousness. --Songlines Magazine

Review
A vibrant, moving portrait of an extraordinary time. --Mojo Magazine

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable DVD...
This is filmed in Jamaica in the 70's. It has a classic dub and roots soundtrack... most of it being played live. My favourite bit is when they go into Lee Scratch Perry's Black Ark studio and watch him recording and mixing a track... worth the price alone.

I'd give it more stars if I could...

rebel musik
This is an excellent dvd.it has a great soundtrack and contains excellent footage.I would like to take this oppertunity to point out a couple of things.The people filming this documentary hadnt arranged to visit Lee Perrys studio.They happened upon it.In the studio (The black Ark) were both the Heptones and,The Congos.They improvised for the documentary film crew a song and,called it Mr Musik.The Two men at the rear of the voicing booth,are Cedric Myton(Falsetto) and,Congo Ashanti Roy (Tennor)who,at that time were making the album,Heart Of The Congo.Widely acknowledged to be,in reggae circles,the greatest roots reggae album ever.The album was produced by Lee Perry at The Black Ark in 1977.Up until that time,the studio was better known for recording 7"singles.So an album was something of a rarity.this documentary captures both major players in reggae at that time,musicians and producers.I guess the film crew were in the right place at the right time.This dvd is well worth buying.