REGGAE SUNSPLASH 1979
Dubroom (DUB) Reggae Video Review
WWW, October 2007 - This great documentary on the 1979 edition of the "Mother of all (Jamaican) Reggae Festivals" contains much more than "just" the live performances of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Burning Spear. Jamaica, 1979. It might be a while back in time, but back then Reggae Music already had a history of over a decade. And in that decade, a lot of things happened.
From the Ska days with Studio One straight to the Sound Systems and the Dub Studio's. From the hills of Jamaica and the ghetto of Kingston straight to the world stage.
Spearheaded by heavyweights such as Burning Spear and Bob Marley, Reggae Music drew the attention of the world as many Rastafarian Reggae artists shared their message on the now all too familiar drum and basslines.
In a way, Jamaica became the center of the world as all eyes focused on that island just under the smoke of Fidel Castro's Cigar Republic. A symbol of emancipation from mental slavery, a source of inspiration for the downtrodden of the earth.
It is in this time and place, that the video capture the live performances of some of Reggae's greatest stars. Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Third World, Peter Tosh: they're all there. We see several tracks, recorded by a professional crew.
The video also takes us to various places on the island itself. We see the ghetto's, we see the hills and speak to Rastas who give us a different perspective on music than what is usually assumed.
A must-see documentary that will definitely increase the knowledge of it's viewers, if not revitalize the memory of the oldies among us.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
