The legendary London record label Trojan Records played a leading role in the musical conquest of Great Brittan by Jamaican music styles like Ska, Reggae, and Rocksteady. In his elaborate documentary, Nicolas Davies revives this almost forgotten story, a story about the inspiring encounter between British working-class youth and Jamaican subculture, about the breaking down of social and cultural barriers, and the economic success of Caribbean immigrants. Davies presents extensive archival material alongside informative and entertaining interviews with protagonists of this subcultural revolution. His unorthodox decision to re-enact the euphoric atmosphere and cosmopolitan culture of the time in fictional scenes, supports the eye- (and ear-)opening quality of his film. Reggae becomes the soundtrack of a transforming society without which the existence of Hip-Hop or today’s club culture are hard to imagine.

(sth, DokuArts)