Watch Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae

Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae is a documentary film from 2009 which delves into the musical movement that swept through Jamaica during the late 1960s, and highlights the significance of this era on the nation's musical heritage. The documentary features interviews with artists, producers and musicians who shaped the genre, as well as major figures who played a role in the larger Jamaican music scene.

The film offers a nostalgic glimpse into a time when ska music, a precursor to reggae, was at the height of its popularity. It examines how rocksteady, an evolution of ska, originated as a slower, more soulful sound that drew inspiration from American rhythm and blues, and ultimately paved the way for the birth of reggae. Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae not only explores the sounds of this era but also the culture surrounding it and how it reflected the social and political climate of Jamaica during the time.

Gladstone Anderson, one of the featured interviews, speaks about his time playing the piano on some of the most iconic rocksteady recordings of the period. He comments on how the groove of the music created a space for poignant and powerful lyrics to emerge. Anderson is just one of the many figures interviewed in the documentary who offer dazzling insights into the music of the time and its cultural significance.

Another interviewee is Ken Boothe, who influenced the rocksteady sound through his distinctive voice and energetic performances. Boothe had multiple huge chart hits during this era, including "The Train Is Coming" and "Artibella". He speaks about how his music was both a reflection of and a response to the political turmoil of the time, particularly surrounding economic inequality and Jamaica's fight for independence.

Stranger Cole is yet another musician included in the documentary, and he reveals how he and his band, Stranger and Patsy, were instrumental in popularizing rocksteady. Cole talks about how, while the music rhythmically mirrored the American soul music that was emerging at the time, the unique Jamaican sound was a fusion of various styles, including the mento music of Jamaica's rural population.

The documentary also features a number of location shots, including visits to Kingston's landmark studios, such as Treasure Isle, Federal Recording Studios, and Studio One. Through these visuals, the film shows how these studios were where some of the most influential and memorable rocksteady tracks were recorded, and how they became places for artists to come together for collaborations.

Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae does not just focus on well-known artists of the period, either. It also explores some lesser-known contributions to the genre, such as those of Merry Clayton, whose track "Tell All The People" was a significant and pioneering contribution to the genre, and The Uniques' "My Conversation," which was a huge hit and established them as a pioneering rocksteady group.

Throughout the film, the interviews are punctuated by rare and exclusive live performances by the artists, including Boothe and Cole, which showcase the unique sound of rocksteady music in its rawest form. These performances are rare archival moments that not only provide a refreshing journey down memory lane, but also capture the strength and vitality of a musical movement that was instrumental in shaping the foundation of Jamaica's music culture.

In conclusion, Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae is a captivating documentary that should be required viewing for music historians, fans of reggae music as well as anyone with an interest in Jamaican culture and its rich musical history. From the commentary of the artists and experts in the film, to the music itself, the documentary triumphantly captures what made rocksteady music so profoundly impactful and how it became a crucial part of Jamaica's cultural identity.

Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.