Musically Mad

Musically Mad, a documentary about the soundsystem scene in England.

Musically Mad started 2004, as a project dedicated to shine some light on the sound system culture. It has taken us four long years to complete it, working on evenings, weekends and spare time. We have brought our equipment to the UK several times and captured the people we met and the dances we attended.

Musically Mad takes you into the heads and hearts of the singers and the soundmen, the backbone of the UK roots reggae sound systems. With them they bring the deepest bass and 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 truly connect with the music they love.

From their humble beginnings in the backyards of Kingston, Jamaica, sound systems were brought along by Caribbean immigrants, and gradually gained 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 colour or nationality.

Musically Mad is the story of the people pushing roots reggae to the masses.