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In The Spotlight: Jamdown and Manifesto Jamaica
In The Spotlight: Jamdown and Manifesto Jamaica
This week in Jamaica
JAMDOWN - MUSICAL JOURNEY TO THE 1980s
Another Jamaican reggae film has surfaced to welcome appreciation from reggae lovers worldwide. This is JAMDOWN, described as a "musical journey to the 1980s" that highlights the music of The Congos – a much-praised but nearly-forgotten group that emerged when reggae made its first international breakthrough. 
The Congos were 1970s recording artists signed to Island Records whose first album 'Heart of the Congos' has been hailed as one of reggae's greatest musical collections. Some say the excellent of the Congos music caused Blackwell to sideline them and their musical output, fearing they would overtake Marley's popularity. Sad to say, the Congos' international success came late, but better late than never.
Now the release of JAMDOWN a documentary film about the Congos revives the history and music of this original roots reggae group and re-introduces them to a new and welcoming audience. JAMDOWN takes viewers on a journey back to 1980, straight into the heart of the Jamaican reggae scene, following legendary Reggae artists Toots Hibbert and The Congo's. Shot in 1980, the film had a limited release in France and therefore remained undiscovered by the rest of the world. Since it's initial release almost 30 years ago JAMDOWN has become what reggae footage collectors often refer to as "the holy grail of reggae films" due to it's rarity and difficulty in finding an original copy of the film.
For the first time in almost 30 years this film has now been made available to own on DVD by Reggae Films UK, the online marketplace and archive of reggae films. The film contains some of the only known early footage of The Congos, performing tracks from their legendary 'Heart Of The Congos' LP produced by Lee Perry at the Black Ark studios at the height of their career. JAMDOWN contains some of the most electrifying live reggae footage to have ever been captured on film, and viewers are sure to enjoy this legendary film as much as we do.
Roger Steffens, Reggae historian, says of JAMDOWN : “...a melodic time machine that transports us magically to a time of massive creativity as reggae was emerging to the outside world. We see some of its most rootical exponents at the height of their powers. The film's re-emergence after three decades is almost miraculous, and it should not be missed by anyone who cares about Jah Music.”
MANIFESTO JAMAICA
Manifesto|JA is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth empowerment and nation building through the Arts and Culture. The executive board combines the energies of young Jamaicans – all below 30-years-old – making it a truly FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH initiative.
The group decided that the best help they could give to empowering youth was to encourage their talents as performing artists and provide performance space for them, as well as providing the music industry with a new, younger crew of talented artists.
Led by young entrepreneurs including Donisha Prendergast and Lesley Ann Welsh, Manifesto Jamaica provides exposure for performing artists in theatre, music, dance, culinary, visual, spiritual, martial and literary arts t empower the youth and expose them to the arts as an option, instead of crime to earn a living. Targeting the inner city communities, they have held workshops in Greenwich Town and August Town and hope to take the programme further afield to the countryside.
Recently they held three performance evenings on Friday nights at the popular Bookophilia uptown bookshop at which a number of artists have pleased the attending crowd with interesting performances. These have included artists hoping to 'buss', as well as up-coming stars such as Protoje, the Nomadz band, and Kariuki. Most interesting performance on the final Friday came from St. Ann roots reggae artist Jabalance, who introduced Donisha Prendergast onstage to sing a duet with him. The song received such loud applause, that the two went into the studio a few days later and recorded it for future release.
The efforts of Manifesto Jamaica is commendable, and hopefully will bear fruit for the many performers taking advantage of this unique opportunity. The music industry needs this breath of fresh air.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The acts by which We live and the attitudes by which We act must be clear beyond question. Let us be true to what We believe, that Our beliefs may serve and honour us.
H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia
Read comments (1)
| Posted by Tshati on 09.29.2010 | |
| I can`t wait for the musical dvd JAMDOWN to reach Africa, so so good piece of quality un aging roots reggae, Cedric Myton was younger by then. | |
Comments actually desactivated due to too much spams
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