Dub Reviews
Artist: Karl Fokke / Andreas Weslien Cover scan:
Title: Musically Mad
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Catalogue Number: -
Format: DVD
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Result: Brilliant documentation!
Review date: 2008-07-17
Detailed review:
It's been a while since my last DVD review. So, it's about time. I suppose most of you have already came across the "Musically Mad" documentation somewhere in the internet. I wasn't sure if it would be one of the projects which never make it over the trailer-only status. But luckily I was proven wrong.

"Musically Mad" is a brilliant documentation on the UK Soundsystem scene. You get great footage with excellent sound quality (I watched the DVD on my laptop with headphones and I even got 3D surround effects, like in one scene the camera is inside a van, driving to a venue and you hear the music quietly from the before you so to say, then there is a cut, the camera is inside the venue and you get the full bass boost all around you, very nice job!) and a lot of interesting interviews with people who actually have something to say.

So, you learn a lot about the history about the soundsystem, about clashes, dubplates, the problems of today's music scene and so on. I was a bit worried if I would understand something because it's not easy for a non-English speaker to understand strong UK or Jamaican accents. Luckily, there are subtitles in English, German and French available. But... I didn't even need them. I don't know if the interviewed persons were asked to speak as clearly as possible or if I have watched so many British TV shows lately that I understand it much better know... anyway, I understood everything easily except if Mark Iration started some of his funny stories and all the guys were laughing. Then it got a bit complicated to understand all. ;)

The documentation itself is only about 60 minutes long which could have been longer, in my opinion, maybe some more footage. But then again, it must have been already more than enough work with the available material. Plus, there are 60 more minutes of extra material, some of it possibly even better than the original material, like Mark Iration on the good old days and skanking. Brilliant stuff. Also some nice extra footage, for example from a session with Fairshare Unity which is very nice to watch and listen to.

There are so many artists and sounds featured on the documentation (though there are still many missing, of course) and it's very nice to finally hear some of the people who I know for years only by e-mail like Reuben Unitone for example or I Natural, just to pick out two of all of them. Was always wondering what dialect or accent they would have. Now I know. ;)

The best interview is with Russ D., not only by what he says but also how. It's so sympathic when he starts playing with his socks while talking. It surely is not his world to be in front of the camera. But what he says is great, especially the part where he tells how it is if you're no rasta but still can have a spiritual feeling on a dance. I'm glad he said it!

Another favourite of mine are the interview parts with Dougie Conscious because he also says like it is and he has the most congenial partner ever by his side: Chazbo. He is definitely the coolest on the whole DVD. He just sits there, smokes, smiles from time to time and doesn't say a word. But still, after the film was over, I was absolutely convinced that Chazbo said a lot. I had to check again to be sure. And no, he doesn't say one single word. It's his pure presence that gave me this feeling.Cool.

Anyway, "Musically Mad" is a very good documentation and shouldn't be missing in any dub & reggae fan's collection. Check out www.musicallymad.com for more information. The DVD should be available in many places like Dub Vendor for example. I got my copy from Intergalaktik Sound's Timo. He just said, "I bought something for you, you'll need it." He was right. Good to have such friends. :)

Oh, before I forget: There is a booklet inside the DVD case in which David Katz writes some interesting stories about the history of soundsystems. There should have been more about the present of the soundsystems though, in my opinion. But still a lot of things you surely didn't know so far.

Man, and another thing I nearly forgot: The best thing on the DVD is the part where they show the sons of Mad Professor and Jah Shaka dubbing together. These are some heavy tunes. It's great that both are into dub as well. I have to check if their album is already out.

P. S. The DVD ends with hinting that the future of the soundsystems doesn't lie in the UK but... on the main land. In good old Europe. Yeah! ;)