The full title of this article is “Why the Cimarrons are one of the greatest British bands of all time – as a documentary”Harder Than the Rockis shown. ” Kenny Monrose (Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge) writes about Cimarron and film Harder Than the Rock: The story of the Cimarron family (Director Mark Warmington) conversation. [Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.]
Harder Than the Rock is a rollercoaster movie about the ups and downs of the music business and its volatile nature. But it also highlights the passion, dedication and humility with which reggae’s creative architects, the Cimarrons, strive to bring genuine joy to their fans, even at great personal sacrifice.
My first encounter with Cimarrons wasTrojan Reggae Party Volume 1(1971) is a live album recorded from the White Hart pub in Harlesden, north-west London. This LP was part of my father’s treasured record collection.
[. . .] If, like me, you listened to reggae or participated in the many subgenres it spawned in the 1960s and ’70s, you’ve probably witnessed Cimarron. They were the go-to backing band of the time, including Lee Perry andbob marley. They were heavily influenced by rock groups such as:KinksAnd cream. [. . .]
[See the trailer for Harder Than the Rock at The Conversation.]
The band spearheaded the emergence of a distinctively British mod reggae, a popular subgenre of the skinhead subculture. This subgenre was often faster and more danceable than traditional reggae. Like Marley and Jimmy Cliff, the Cimarrons were pioneers.
They paved the way for Jamaican music to be heard around the world for the first time, including Thailand, Japan, and parts of West Africa. And let’s not forget the impact this band had on Ireland.West Indian communities and the Irishon mainland Britain.
Cimarron effortlessly blended the rich, rebellious sounds of Jamaican music with the equally rebellious but frenetic sounds of rock and punk. They have proven that music, perhaps more than religion, politics or sports, can promote and foster connection and integration. This trend was particularly strong in the 1970s and 1980s, when the country was marred by social exclusion and anti-immigrant propaganda.
Unfairly, the Cimarrons never received fair financial compensation for their music. In the words of Reggae’s First Prince Dennis Brown, they were instead offered“Praise without giving a raise”. Nevertheless, Reggae Rhapsody continues to move forward and the band is rightfully praised. Harder Than the Rock.
The film is an audiovisual masterpiece that perfectly captures the history of British reggae music. Director Mark Warmington presents a very special film that provides a favorable insight into the history of Fullstop, one of Britain’s greatest reggae bands as well as one of Britain’s greatest bands. I accomplished something.
For the original article, see here https://theconversation.com/why-the-cimarons-are-one-of-the-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time-as-documentary-harder-than-the-rock-shows-241062
[Shown above: The Cimarons today. Margot Films/J6 Films.]
