While the eyes of the world were on the Rumble in the Jungle, the ears of the world were on Zaire ’74, a legendary music festival to accompany the epic boxing match between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman. Using spectacular archive footage, this exhilarating documentary conveys all the colours, styles and sounds of a bygone age. People who lived through the 1970s won’t forget it; people who didn’t, won’t believe it. Roll up, roll up, come see the flamboyant costumes, extreme personalities, and melodramatic performances. And that’s just offstage. Onstage we see and hear music legends at the peak of their talent - including James Brown, B.B. King, Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Bill Withers and many more - all giving the performances of their lives to a mammoth Zairian audience. Soul Power packs a bigger punch than Ali or Foreman. This was one of the definitive music events of the 20th Century. Luckily, someone filmed it.
“Riveting… a stunningly photographed, soul-stirring celebration.” The Times
Jeffrey Levy-Hinte / USA 2008 / 92 min / cert: 12
There was an uplifting air of excitement when the lights went up after Soul Power. “I could have danced the whole film through!” someone commented. Others wondered what had become of the main behind-the-scenes characters in the documentary. Young festival producer Stewart Levine? He is an established music producer behind some of Jamie Cullum and Simply Red’s greatest hits. Walkie-talkie fanatic festival coordinator Alan Pariser? He became a partner in a management and design firm; he died in 2001. Festival promoter Lloyd Price (aka “Mr Personality”)? He occasionally performs as a R&B singer and manages a Southern food line (there’s a “Lloyd Price Mustard”, a “Lloyd Price Baby It’s Hot Sauce”, even a “Lloyd Price Soulfully Sweet Relish”). English Chris Evans-style “investor representative” Keith Bradshaw? A chartered accountant, he now lives in Birmingham and has become a very successful business manager worth £135 million. Lighting designer Bill McManus? He later went on to work on rock band tours, boxing games, film and television shows; he died in 2005. For those who want to read more about the making of Soul Power, there is an interesting interview of director Jeffrey Levy-Hinte in Filmmaker Magazine.
And for those who want the details of Soul Power‘s soundtrack:
Soul Power
Written by James Brown
Performed by James Brown & the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Crited Music, Inc. (BMI)
Bakobosana
Written by Lita Bembo
Performed by Lita bembo & Les Stukaas
All rights reserved – Tous droits réservés
I’ll Never Let You Break My Heart Again
Written by Fred Wesley, Charles Bobbit, Reggie Bryan
Performed by “Sweet” Charles Sherrell, and the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
Written by Joseph B. Jefferson
Performed by The Spinners
Under license from Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Simba Nkoni
Written by François “Franco” Luambo Makiadi
Performed by OK Jazz featuring Franco
All rights reserved – Tous droits réservés
Hope She’ll Be Happier
Written by Bill Withers
Performed by Bill Withers
Under license from Songs of Universal, Inc.
on behalf of Interior Music Corp. (BMI)
The Click Song
Written by the Manhattan Brothers
Performed by Miriam Makeba
Under license from Makeba Music Company
On And On
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Performed by Sister Sledge
Under license from Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
on behalf of Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Todd Mayfield Publishing (BMI)
Thrill Is Gone
Written by Rick Ravon Darnell and Roy Hawkins
Performed by B.B. King
Under license from Universal Music – Careers (BMI)
Put It Where You Want It
Written by Joe Sample
Performed by the Crusaders
Under License from Chrysalis Songs (BMI)
Quimbara
Written by Junior Cepeda
Performed by Celia Cruz and the Fania All Stars
Under license from Universal – Musica Unica Publishing
on behalf of Fania Music (BMI)
Ponte Duro
Written by Johnny Pacheco
Performed by the Fania All Stars
Under license from Universal – Musica Unica Publishing
on behalf of Fania Music (BMI)
Bonjour L’Afrique
Written by Big Black
Performed by Big Black
Published by Jokot
Seli-Ja
Written by Tabu Ley Rochereau
Performed by Tabu Ley Rochereau & L’Afrisa International
Under license from EMI Blackwood Music, Inc.
Payback
Written by James Brown, John H. Starks, and Fred Wesley
Performed by James Brown & the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
Cold Sweat
Written by James Bron and Alfred James Ellis
Performed by James Brown & the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
I Can’t Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)
Written by James Brown
Performed by James Brown & the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
Say It Loud (I’m Black And I’m Proud)
Written by James Brown and Alfred James Ellis
Performed by James Brown & the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
Same Beat
Written by James Brown
Performed by Fred Wesley and the J.B.’s
Under license from Unichappell Music, Inc.
on behalf of Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI)
Post-screening comments received:
“Could have danced the whole film through!”
“Excellent – great sound – intimate surroundings – perfect”
“All killer no filler full length full strength mastercuts of funk! Cracking, thank you!”