Musically Mad
Karl Folke:
Musically Mad (UK 2008)
60min — DVD — English. English subtitles.
Musically Mad takes you into the hearts and heads of the singers and soundmen, the backbone of the UK roots reggae sound systems. With them they bring the deepest bass and the highest chants, delivered by massive stacks of speakers and custom-built sound equipment. For some, attending a sound system dance is a religious experience, channelled through the music and the message. For others it`s the natural way to connect with the music they love. Either way, sound system culture is growing and changing.
From their humble beginnings in the backyards of Kingston, Jamaica, sound systems were brought along by Caribbean immigrants, gradually gaining a strong following in the UK. As David Katz included extensive essay "Steel Horns And Bass Bins In Blighty" concludes, the dances were crucial in lifting the spirits of the Caribbean exiles, helping them to forget their hardships. Something that reggae and sound system culture now does worldwide, regardless of color or nationality.
Musically Mad is the story of the people pushing reggae to the masses.
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Karl Folke
Karl Folke grew up in Uppsala, a town that has become the roots reggae capital of Sweden. Folke used to play drums in a punk-rock band with a friend who was into reggae. When Folke heard the UK roots music he felt that it was heavier then the heaviest punk song. Real power comes from the bass, not screaming at high frequencies. Folke has been filming and editing skateboard movies, short films and animations. When he dropped out of high school he got a job at a television station and learnt from working hard with different programmes. Folke says he quit working with television and began studying to be a gardener because he got tired of the television industry. Musically Mad has been a way for Folke to be creative without commercial interests running his work.