Rockers, the star-studded reggae movie, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2018. To honour that milestone, an American independent company will release a special multi-package that includes the film on DVD.
MVD Entertainment Group, based in New York City, is marketing the project which also contains a Blu-ray edition of Rockers, its soundtrack on red, green and gold vinyl and a deluxe 384-page Japanese photo book.
The package will be released in October 2017. It is complete with poster, iron-on T-shirt decal, rolling papers, postcards, and original VHS box covers.
According to a release from MVD Entertainment Group, “The film captures reggae at its musical apex with a vibrant and magnificent reggae soundtrack now digitally re-mastered from the original 35mm film.”
Many of the artistes who made cameos in the 1978 movie have songs on the soundtrack, including Jacob Miller ( Tenement Yard), Gregory Isaacs ( Slave Master), Burning Spear ( Jah No Dead) and Kiddus I ( Graduation In Zion).
Kiddus I played a key role in Rockers which was filmed in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay. It was directed by Ted Bafaloukos from Greece and produced by American Patrick Hulsey.
Drummer Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace was its star. He played a struggling musician who takes the system head-on after years of being exploited by producers.
Wallace and saxophonist Richard “Dirty Harry” Hall were members of Burning Spear’s band when they first met Hulsey and Bafaloukos in Germany in 1976. Hulsey and Bafaloukos went to Jamaica the following year hoping to do a documentary on reggae, but ended up extending their stay and producing a movie.
Rockers was released in 1978 and 1979, respectively, at the San Francisco and Cannes film festivals. It received strong reviews at both events and retains a loyal following throughout Europe and the United States east and west coasts.
Hulsey died in May 2005 from cancer. Bafaloukos died last year, also from cancer.
SOUNDTRACK
Inner Circle – We A Rockers
The Maytones – Money Worries
Junior Murvin – Police and Thieves
The Heptones – Book of Rules
Peter Tosh – Stepping Razor
Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard
Junior Byles – Fade Away
Bunny Wailer – Rockers
Gregory Isaacs – Slave Master
Rockers All Stars – Man in the Street
Kiddus I – Graduation in Zion
Burning Spear – Jah No Dead
Third World – Satta Massagana
Justin Hines & the Dominoes – Natty Take Over.
