Sound Systember 30

 Babylon

 

 

After referencing the film Babylon numerous times during this month, I decided it was the least I could do but share the soundtrack. This is the expanded version of the 1980 Chrysalis release with two bonus tracks from the Dennis Bovell original score.

Brinsley Forde of Aswad sez:
     "What elevates Babylon is the incidental music scored by UK Dub master Dennis Bovell, leader of Matumbi and LKJ's Dub Band, and previously a Sound System operator himself. Although plentiful, it seldom grabs attention but still provides an irresistible reggae soundbed, helping to reposition the grubby, hostile South London streets as Blue's own."

Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon was proposed to the BBC around 1979. They rejected it claiming it was too controversial because of its accurate depiction of police brutality, racism, & poverty. It had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but went unreleased in the U.S. until 2019 for "being too controversial, deemed too likely to incite racial tension" (Vivien Goldman, Time Out). Raw & smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ (Brinsley Forde, frontman of landmark British reggae group Aswad) in South London as he pursues his musical ambitions, battling fiercely against the racism & xenophobia of employers, neighbors, police, & the National Front. Written by Martin Stellman (Quadrophenia), shot by two-time Oscar winner Chris Menges (The Killing Fields) with beautifully smoky cinematography that has been compared to Taxi Driver, Babylon is fearless & unsentimental, yet tempered by the hazy bliss of the dancehall set to a blistering UK Dub reggae / Lovers rock soundtrack featuring Aswad, Johnny Clarke, Dennis Bovell, & more.

Various - Babylon (The Original Soundtrack), Chrysalis , 1980 + bonus original score tracks.
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Thank You for the Many Things You've Done - Cassandra
Runnin' Away - Dennis Bovell
Deliver Me from My Enemies - Yabby You
Jazterpiece
Manhunter - Dennis Bovell
Hey Jah Children - Aswad
School Skanking
Living in Babylon
Chief Inspector - Dennis Bovell
Free Africa - Yabby You
B Flat Reggae Concerto - Dennis Bovell
Whap'n Bap'n - I Roy
Warrior Charge - Aswad
Turn Me Loose - Michael Prophet
Beefy's Tune (long version)
Beefy's Tune
Jazterpiece (reggae version) - Dennis Bovell

bonus tracks from Babaylon original score -
Chief Inspector Part 2
Back-Weh Babylon - Dennis Bovell

Thanks for following along on this Sound System journey. It's been more than a pleasure for me.

You can watch the film Babylon on Facebook video here.

Tear down Babylon,
NØ