Showing posts with label JAMAICAN MUSIC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JAMAICAN MUSIC. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
JAMAICAN MUSIC
Jamaican Music More than Marley in Movie
by Jacklyn Katz
Made in Jamaica is the kind of film that will make you want to dance and sway to the music.
A fusion of documentary and music video, the film will play Thursday night as part of the Best of the African Diaspora Film Festival. Beyond the soulful reggae music of Bob Marley, this film aims to highlight the struggles and the triumphs of Jamaica’s most notorious artists.
Director Jérôme Laperrousaz uses news footage, interviews, and performances to discuss the evolution of music and the music industry in Jamaica. As Laperrousaz sees it, the explosion of music in this country veils its citizens’ pain, heartache, and desire to succeed and survive. The film begins with the death of Bogle (Gerald Levy), a Jamaican dancehall performer. The violence and the strife surrounding these artists have served as inspiration for their emotional and explicit music as the film moves through its performers.
Third World, Gregory Isaacs, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, and Bounty Killer are just a few of the many artists included in this film who exemplify the diverse musical styles cultivated in Jamaica. For the most part, Laperrousaz is able to showcase each individual’s talents while demonstrating that each singer or musician is a part of a collective whole. But with the introduction of dancehall music, it is apparent that younger artists are using the foundations of reggae music to make their own way in the music world—the music is faster, louder, and at times raunchier than traditional reggae.
Laperrousaz introduces each artist in the film with a performance that is either from a concert or staged for the documentary. These staged performances add a unique dimension—they have an almost music-video quality—to sections of the film. But there are times when the filming of these mini music videos slows down the pace of the film—whether this is intentional or not is not always clear.
The construction of the film aside, it is incredible how much information is incorporated into this film. The film is not only a documentary about music and the history and transformation of reggae music, but also about the Jamaican people—their past, present, and future. Made in Jamaica is a raw and uncensored exploration of the Jamaican music scene. For those who aren’t familiar with reggae or dancehall music, the film certainly provides a crash course.
Made in Jamaica will play at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Rose Cinema (30 Lafayette St. at Duane Street). Tickets cost $8 for students.
by Jacklyn Katz
Made in Jamaica is the kind of film that will make you want to dance and sway to the music.
A fusion of documentary and music video, the film will play Thursday night as part of the Best of the African Diaspora Film Festival. Beyond the soulful reggae music of Bob Marley, this film aims to highlight the struggles and the triumphs of Jamaica’s most notorious artists.
Director Jérôme Laperrousaz uses news footage, interviews, and performances to discuss the evolution of music and the music industry in Jamaica. As Laperrousaz sees it, the explosion of music in this country veils its citizens’ pain, heartache, and desire to succeed and survive. The film begins with the death of Bogle (Gerald Levy), a Jamaican dancehall performer. The violence and the strife surrounding these artists have served as inspiration for their emotional and explicit music as the film moves through its performers.
Third World, Gregory Isaacs, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, and Bounty Killer are just a few of the many artists included in this film who exemplify the diverse musical styles cultivated in Jamaica. For the most part, Laperrousaz is able to showcase each individual’s talents while demonstrating that each singer or musician is a part of a collective whole. But with the introduction of dancehall music, it is apparent that younger artists are using the foundations of reggae music to make their own way in the music world—the music is faster, louder, and at times raunchier than traditional reggae.
Laperrousaz introduces each artist in the film with a performance that is either from a concert or staged for the documentary. These staged performances add a unique dimension—they have an almost music-video quality—to sections of the film. But there are times when the filming of these mini music videos slows down the pace of the film—whether this is intentional or not is not always clear.
The construction of the film aside, it is incredible how much information is incorporated into this film. The film is not only a documentary about music and the history and transformation of reggae music, but also about the Jamaican people—their past, present, and future. Made in Jamaica is a raw and uncensored exploration of the Jamaican music scene. For those who aren’t familiar with reggae or dancehall music, the film certainly provides a crash course.
Made in Jamaica will play at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Rose Cinema (30 Lafayette St. at Duane Street). Tickets cost $8 for students.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
SpringlineJamaica: Theo Beckford - Profile
SpringlineJamaica
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Theo Beckford - Profile
Theophilus Beckford was born in 1935, in Trench Town Kingston, Jamaica. His musical talents can most probably be attributed to his father, who played in the Jamaican Military Band, and the fact that he had access to the family piano. His family noticed his talent but still forced him to learn music first at Kingston's Boys Town School and then with two private tutors. By the 1955 he purchased his own piano, and played on calypso songs, aimed primarily at tourists, for Count Lasher and Lord Flea, with Jewish-Jamaican entrepreneur and proprietor of a downtown photographic supply shop Stanley Motta producing. The dominant music in Jamaica during the 50's was American rhythm and blues, and most local artists copied the sounds of New Orleans. Beckford has cited the Memphis jump-blues piano playing of Rosco Gordon as particularly influential on his style, with Fats Domino another major inspiration; he was also fond of singers Lloyd Price and Patti Page. In late 1956, Beckford started to develop a style that drew from R&B, but had a noticeably different rhythmic structure; instead of the fore-beat emphasis of boogie woogie, he used piano chords to emphasise the after-beat, the second and fourth beats of every measure rather than the first and third. 1956 also saw Beckford working with Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd. They were often spending long hours in the studio rehearsing and experimenting with this new rhythm. Eventually they produced 'Easy Snapping', which was recorded with the help of Clue J and the Blues Blasters. Dodd initially retained the song on acetate as a dub-plate for his Downbeat sound system, and it proved to be highly popular among the lawn dance crowd. Despite Beckford's pleas to release the record to the public, Coxsone held onto the tune for the best part of 3 years, before finally releasing the single in 1959. The song became an instant hit, skyrocketing to number one and remaining on the charts for an unparalleled 18 months. Many argue that ska and consequently Jamaican music began with this song. While the more conservative would argue that it is somewhere between ska and American R&B, its influence however is indisputable.As is always the way with these stories, Beckford saw little substantial evidence of "Easy Snappin's" success. He received no royalties for either the song's initial Jamaican release, or its re-release on the English Blue Beat label. Despite this he continued to release more tracks for Dodd, including "Georgia and the Old Shoes," "Jack and Jill Shuffle," and "Tell Them, Little Lady," but in the early '60s he severed his ties with Downbeat, as immortalized on the song, "Mr. Downpressor."Beckford then recorded vocal tracks for King Edwards, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster, and provided piano backing for many popular ska acts. He still did not see the financial reward he felt he deserved and in 1963 he formed his own King Pioneer label. Now in total control of his music he released some of his own Jamaican folk material, as well as records by Basil Gabbidon, Lloyd Clarke, and the Tennors. Although his adaptation of the folksong 'Boller Man A Come' was popular, most King Pioneer material failed to become hits.As ska gave way to rocksteady, and then became reggae, Beckford continued to get regular work as a session musician. He recorded for Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, and for Leslie Kong as one of the Beverly's All Stars house band. He also backed such vocalists as Toots & the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, and Eric "Monty" Morris. Beckford also became a musical arranger for Duke Reid, Joe Gibbs, Bunny Lee, and Leslie Kong; and, in 1978, played himself in a cameo for the film Rockers.By the mid-'80s though the digital revolution was taking hold. The need for session musicians in the studio was virtually nonexistent, and though he continued to perform live, Beckford was now finding it hard to make ends meet. By the end of his life he felt he was only surviving "by the grace of God and the assistance of a few friends."In 1991 things looked like they might be on the turn as he participated in The Beat Goes On: 35 Years In The Business Shows by Studio One in Kingston's National Arena, though nothing in the end was forth coming. The following year must have been especially hard for him as his old hit "Easy Snappin'" was used in a 1992 European TV ads campaign, and yet once again he received no royalties.In 2000, he was honoured in the King Omar's annual Tribute to the Great show, however again he could not revel in this appreciation for long. On February 19, 2001, Beckford went to the Callaloo Mews section of Kingston to settle a dispute, and after an altercation with an unidentified man he was killed by a hatchet wound to the head. He was 65.This as with so many is a rather sad end to a man who gave so much to Jamaican music and was perhaps never really appreciated in the way he should have been, but whom without his experimentation with rhythm we may never of had the reggae sounds of today.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Theo Beckford - Profile
Theophilus Beckford was born in 1935, in Trench Town Kingston, Jamaica. His musical talents can most probably be attributed to his father, who played in the Jamaican Military Band, and the fact that he had access to the family piano. His family noticed his talent but still forced him to learn music first at Kingston's Boys Town School and then with two private tutors. By the 1955 he purchased his own piano, and played on calypso songs, aimed primarily at tourists, for Count Lasher and Lord Flea, with Jewish-Jamaican entrepreneur and proprietor of a downtown photographic supply shop Stanley Motta producing. The dominant music in Jamaica during the 50's was American rhythm and blues, and most local artists copied the sounds of New Orleans. Beckford has cited the Memphis jump-blues piano playing of Rosco Gordon as particularly influential on his style, with Fats Domino another major inspiration; he was also fond of singers Lloyd Price and Patti Page. In late 1956, Beckford started to develop a style that drew from R&B, but had a noticeably different rhythmic structure; instead of the fore-beat emphasis of boogie woogie, he used piano chords to emphasise the after-beat, the second and fourth beats of every measure rather than the first and third. 1956 also saw Beckford working with Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd. They were often spending long hours in the studio rehearsing and experimenting with this new rhythm. Eventually they produced 'Easy Snapping', which was recorded with the help of Clue J and the Blues Blasters. Dodd initially retained the song on acetate as a dub-plate for his Downbeat sound system, and it proved to be highly popular among the lawn dance crowd. Despite Beckford's pleas to release the record to the public, Coxsone held onto the tune for the best part of 3 years, before finally releasing the single in 1959. The song became an instant hit, skyrocketing to number one and remaining on the charts for an unparalleled 18 months. Many argue that ska and consequently Jamaican music began with this song. While the more conservative would argue that it is somewhere between ska and American R&B, its influence however is indisputable.As is always the way with these stories, Beckford saw little substantial evidence of "Easy Snappin's" success. He received no royalties for either the song's initial Jamaican release, or its re-release on the English Blue Beat label. Despite this he continued to release more tracks for Dodd, including "Georgia and the Old Shoes," "Jack and Jill Shuffle," and "Tell Them, Little Lady," but in the early '60s he severed his ties with Downbeat, as immortalized on the song, "Mr. Downpressor."Beckford then recorded vocal tracks for King Edwards, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster, and provided piano backing for many popular ska acts. He still did not see the financial reward he felt he deserved and in 1963 he formed his own King Pioneer label. Now in total control of his music he released some of his own Jamaican folk material, as well as records by Basil Gabbidon, Lloyd Clarke, and the Tennors. Although his adaptation of the folksong 'Boller Man A Come' was popular, most King Pioneer material failed to become hits.As ska gave way to rocksteady, and then became reggae, Beckford continued to get regular work as a session musician. He recorded for Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, and for Leslie Kong as one of the Beverly's All Stars house band. He also backed such vocalists as Toots & the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, and Eric "Monty" Morris. Beckford also became a musical arranger for Duke Reid, Joe Gibbs, Bunny Lee, and Leslie Kong; and, in 1978, played himself in a cameo for the film Rockers.By the mid-'80s though the digital revolution was taking hold. The need for session musicians in the studio was virtually nonexistent, and though he continued to perform live, Beckford was now finding it hard to make ends meet. By the end of his life he felt he was only surviving "by the grace of God and the assistance of a few friends."In 1991 things looked like they might be on the turn as he participated in The Beat Goes On: 35 Years In The Business Shows by Studio One in Kingston's National Arena, though nothing in the end was forth coming. The following year must have been especially hard for him as his old hit "Easy Snappin'" was used in a 1992 European TV ads campaign, and yet once again he received no royalties.In 2000, he was honoured in the King Omar's annual Tribute to the Great show, however again he could not revel in this appreciation for long. On February 19, 2001, Beckford went to the Callaloo Mews section of Kingston to settle a dispute, and after an altercation with an unidentified man he was killed by a hatchet wound to the head. He was 65.This as with so many is a rather sad end to a man who gave so much to Jamaican music and was perhaps never really appreciated in the way he should have been, but whom without his experimentation with rhythm we may never of had the reggae sounds of today.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Reggaefilms.co.uk: Dickie Jobson passed away....
http://reggaefilms.blogspot.com/2008/12/dickie-jobson-passed-away.html#comment-form
Dickie Jobson passed away....
Just had some very sad news and heard that Dickie Jobson passed away yesterday on Christmas Eve. He will be remembered by everyone who knew his work, and most will remember him for his great film 'Countryman', he was also preparing to start shooting Countryman 2 in 2009.
"The Jamaica Film Academy had honoured Dickie Jobson at the February 2008 staging of the first Reggae Film Festival and screened his 1970s feature film “Countryman” in one of its rare Jamaican showings. Dickie Jobson was a friend and business associate of film makers Perry Henzell and Chris Blackwell, so it was no surprise when he ventured into film production with the romantic drama “Countryman” – one of the early efforts to continue the progressive move to indigenous feature film production established by “The Harder They Come”. The “Countryman” story of two American tourists cast away on the Hellshire beach where real-life fisherman Countryman lives, and the adventures that follow as police pursue them as suspected drug exporters, was typical of the 70’s era when Jamaica was viewed simply as a tropical paradise with an interesting culture. It’s famous scene when Countryman cooks a several course Jamaican meal on an outdoor fire and the delight the visitors express as they taste each new food surprise, has become a classic.
Like most other Jamaican films of that era, the acclaim for the director’s achievement has only come in modern times, and financial success may never materialize. Dickie Jobson was therefore delighted to be honoured at the Reggae Film Festival earlier this year and to enjoy the company of his film making friends, including his cousin, film maker Wayne Jobson.
As part of the Island Jamaica film and music team, Dickie was associated with every film project of that prolific organization, and assisted many overseas film production companies to interact with Jamaica. The name of Dickie Jobson and his beautiful film “Countryman” will be forever memorialized in the Hall of Fame of the Jamaican film industry. On behalf of the Jamaica Film Academy, and as a personal friend, please allow me to extend honours on his passing."
(Text taken from an article written by Barbara Blake Hannah 25th Dec.2009)
Posted by Reggae Films UK at 5:32 PM
15 comments:
Ronnie Barakat said...
Farewell my friend, I will always remember your contribution to helping to establishing the career of the musician of the last century the great Bob Marley.Ronnie Barakat.
December 26, 2008 12:01 AM
MFW said...
I saw Dicko at 2 parties last week we danced , hung out and I just cant believe that you are no longer here with us... We shall all miss your sense of fun, endurance, intelligence, and this Bud's for you my friend.The definite end of an era.Nuff LoveMaxine
December 26, 2008 3:32 PM
dennis said...
I nominate Dickie for our next National Hero.Dennis R.
December 26, 2008 4:08 PM
Del said...
I am so saddened at the passing of Dickie, he still had so much more to give. May his soul rest in peace and may his memories live on.Del Crooks - Jamaica
December 26, 2008 8:38 PM
The Brownery said...
A sad goodbye to a gentleman, a quiet genius, and a lovely generous man - from Dickie's friends at Studio Eight Productions. We believed in the Countryman Two project and we so looking forward to realising Dickie's dream.
December 26, 2008 9:35 PM
GAFFA said...
Richard; Ah kno Puff waan bless yuh up....All LOVE Bloods. The Spirit Lives.
December 27, 2008 7:04 AM
Anonymous said...
My Dickie "ElFego Backa" man ahead of his time, Video Real Estate, first TV add for a real estate development in Jamaica, Cardif Hall. So many ideas we could have built on. Spoke to me on Monday 22nd .......if I only knew... Great Guy, good friend to all P & L Bro.David Guilfoyle.
December 27, 2008 10:05 PM
Anonymous said...
thanks so much for not only one of the greatest Reggae films of all time, but one of the greatest soundtracks.
December 27, 2008 10:51 PM
Anonymous said...
It was a sad day when we lost Dickie Jobson, an elegant gentleman in the truest sense, modest and humble, and a raconteur with a rapier wit. He was a doting father, a loving son, brother, cousin and friend. Dickie was generous, kind and compassionate and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. My condolences to the Jobson family.
December 28, 2008 11:42 PM
simochau said...
Dickie u just called me from Kingston to Hong Kong on the Christmas Eve 10am Yan Yan was glad to hear u but now u left us behind gone with the winds u told me u want to come visit china & making Countrymon II together chinese audience would love to see the Fastestmon on Earth & Greatest Hero Jamaican Countrymon as Dickie Jobson rest in peace 1love yanyan hk
December 29, 2008 11:50 AM
Sanwad said...
yea man, the reggae world will miss him.
January 02, 2009 10:39 PM
Reggae Films UK said...
http://www.unitedreggae.com/articles/n254/123108/remembering-dickie-jobson
January 03, 2009 9:44 AM
Danny Ennevor said...
Dicko.. I could not believe the news when Jimmy called. We had not seen you for some time but you always kept in touch. Was just joking the other day how when you were standing beside me as my best man 47 years ago waiting for the wedding to begin you whispered "It's not to late Dans the car keys are in my pocket"! We'll miss you Dicko.. God Bless.
January 11, 2009 4:22 PM
Anonymous said...
A kind wonderful man meet Dickie whilst visiting countryman 2007 Will be greatly missed but memories always remain God Bless you my friend susanna
January 28, 2009 3:53 PM
Anonymous said...
See the article below for info on Dickie's life...http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5592961.ece
February 17, 2009 11:24 AM
Post a Comment
Dickie Jobson passed away....
Just had some very sad news and heard that Dickie Jobson passed away yesterday on Christmas Eve. He will be remembered by everyone who knew his work, and most will remember him for his great film 'Countryman', he was also preparing to start shooting Countryman 2 in 2009.
"The Jamaica Film Academy had honoured Dickie Jobson at the February 2008 staging of the first Reggae Film Festival and screened his 1970s feature film “Countryman” in one of its rare Jamaican showings. Dickie Jobson was a friend and business associate of film makers Perry Henzell and Chris Blackwell, so it was no surprise when he ventured into film production with the romantic drama “Countryman” – one of the early efforts to continue the progressive move to indigenous feature film production established by “The Harder They Come”. The “Countryman” story of two American tourists cast away on the Hellshire beach where real-life fisherman Countryman lives, and the adventures that follow as police pursue them as suspected drug exporters, was typical of the 70’s era when Jamaica was viewed simply as a tropical paradise with an interesting culture. It’s famous scene when Countryman cooks a several course Jamaican meal on an outdoor fire and the delight the visitors express as they taste each new food surprise, has become a classic.
Like most other Jamaican films of that era, the acclaim for the director’s achievement has only come in modern times, and financial success may never materialize. Dickie Jobson was therefore delighted to be honoured at the Reggae Film Festival earlier this year and to enjoy the company of his film making friends, including his cousin, film maker Wayne Jobson.
As part of the Island Jamaica film and music team, Dickie was associated with every film project of that prolific organization, and assisted many overseas film production companies to interact with Jamaica. The name of Dickie Jobson and his beautiful film “Countryman” will be forever memorialized in the Hall of Fame of the Jamaican film industry. On behalf of the Jamaica Film Academy, and as a personal friend, please allow me to extend honours on his passing."
(Text taken from an article written by Barbara Blake Hannah 25th Dec.2009)
Posted by Reggae Films UK at 5:32 PM
15 comments:
Ronnie Barakat said...
Farewell my friend, I will always remember your contribution to helping to establishing the career of the musician of the last century the great Bob Marley.Ronnie Barakat.
December 26, 2008 12:01 AM
MFW said...
I saw Dicko at 2 parties last week we danced , hung out and I just cant believe that you are no longer here with us... We shall all miss your sense of fun, endurance, intelligence, and this Bud's for you my friend.The definite end of an era.Nuff LoveMaxine
December 26, 2008 3:32 PM
dennis said...
I nominate Dickie for our next National Hero.Dennis R.
December 26, 2008 4:08 PM
Del said...
I am so saddened at the passing of Dickie, he still had so much more to give. May his soul rest in peace and may his memories live on.Del Crooks - Jamaica
December 26, 2008 8:38 PM
The Brownery said...
A sad goodbye to a gentleman, a quiet genius, and a lovely generous man - from Dickie's friends at Studio Eight Productions. We believed in the Countryman Two project and we so looking forward to realising Dickie's dream.
December 26, 2008 9:35 PM
GAFFA said...
Richard; Ah kno Puff waan bless yuh up....All LOVE Bloods. The Spirit Lives.
December 27, 2008 7:04 AM
Anonymous said...
My Dickie "ElFego Backa" man ahead of his time, Video Real Estate, first TV add for a real estate development in Jamaica, Cardif Hall. So many ideas we could have built on. Spoke to me on Monday 22nd .......if I only knew... Great Guy, good friend to all P & L Bro.David Guilfoyle.
December 27, 2008 10:05 PM
Anonymous said...
thanks so much for not only one of the greatest Reggae films of all time, but one of the greatest soundtracks.
December 27, 2008 10:51 PM
Anonymous said...
It was a sad day when we lost Dickie Jobson, an elegant gentleman in the truest sense, modest and humble, and a raconteur with a rapier wit. He was a doting father, a loving son, brother, cousin and friend. Dickie was generous, kind and compassionate and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. My condolences to the Jobson family.
December 28, 2008 11:42 PM
simochau said...
Dickie u just called me from Kingston to Hong Kong on the Christmas Eve 10am Yan Yan was glad to hear u but now u left us behind gone with the winds u told me u want to come visit china & making Countrymon II together chinese audience would love to see the Fastestmon on Earth & Greatest Hero Jamaican Countrymon as Dickie Jobson rest in peace 1love yanyan hk
December 29, 2008 11:50 AM
Sanwad said...
yea man, the reggae world will miss him.
January 02, 2009 10:39 PM
Reggae Films UK said...
http://www.unitedreggae.com/articles/n254/123108/remembering-dickie-jobson
January 03, 2009 9:44 AM
Danny Ennevor said...
Dicko.. I could not believe the news when Jimmy called. We had not seen you for some time but you always kept in touch. Was just joking the other day how when you were standing beside me as my best man 47 years ago waiting for the wedding to begin you whispered "It's not to late Dans the car keys are in my pocket"! We'll miss you Dicko.. God Bless.
January 11, 2009 4:22 PM
Anonymous said...
A kind wonderful man meet Dickie whilst visiting countryman 2007 Will be greatly missed but memories always remain God Bless you my friend susanna
January 28, 2009 3:53 PM
Anonymous said...
See the article below for info on Dickie's life...http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5592961.ece
February 17, 2009 11:24 AM
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