Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene

Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene

52 mins | Documentary, Music | Jan. 1, 1977

'Roots Rock Reggae' depicts an unforgettable moment in Jamaica's history when music defined the island's struggles and immortalized 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 harmonize 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. 1977: An extraordinary year for Reggae music.

Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene

52 mins | Documentary, Music | Jan. 1, 1977

Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene
'Roots Rock Reggae' depicts an unforgettable moment in Jamaica's history when music defined the island's struggles and immortalized 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 harmonize 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. 1977: An extraordinary year for Reggae music.
Producers Harcourt Films
Original title Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene
Directors Jeremy Marre, Terence Dackombe
Writers

Cast

Jimmy Cliff

as Self

Joe Gibbs

as Self

Dennis Brown

as Self

Michael Manley

as Self

Jacob Miller

as Self

Lee Perry

as Self

U-Roy

as Self

Bob Marley

as Self

Joe Higgs

as Self

Toots Hibbert

as Self (Archival Footage)