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San Francisco: Jonathan Richman Hosts Screening of Flamenco Film “Vengo”

French filmmaker Tony Gatlif is best know for his film “Latcho Drom,” which follows the trail of the Romani (Gypsy) people from Rajasthan in northwestern India to Spain. The film contained almost no dialogue and relied solely on music to tell the story of the Romani people and their journey from India to the European continent. The film was an unexpected success at Cannes in 1993, and it established Gatlif as a filmmaker to watch.

In 2000 Gatlif released “Vengo,” which describes a rivalry between two Andalucian families. The film was his ode to the artistry of flamenco dancing and allowed Gatlif to collaborate with one of the world’s greatest flamenco dancers, Antonio Canales. Canales plays the role of Caco, the film’s proud main character who must fight for his family’s honor and safety. “Vengo” provides non-Roma an opportunity to peek into the everyday lives and traditions of the Gypsy community and, like “Latcho Drom,” exposes new audiences to the incredible music of the Roma.
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The Upsetter Hits the Big Screen!

What do The Clash, Paul McCartney, Andrew W.K., Beastie Boys and Bob Marley have in common? They have all worked with legendary Jamaican producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, whose influence on music and audio engineering can not be over-stated. An infamous eccentric behind the mixing board, “The Upsetter” not only revolutionized reggae music in his native Jamaica; his influence can be heard in everything from electronica to indie rock to hip-hop.

Perry began his career in music in the late 50’s as a record seller for Clement “Coxone” Dodd’s Kingston sound system and quickly began recording tracks for Dodd’s Studio One record label, eventually recording nearly thirty ska and rocksteady tunes. Eventually he and Dodd had a falling out and he began working with Joe Gibbs. He shortly fell out with Gibbs as well and founded his own Upsetter record label in 1968. His first single “People Funny Boy” was one of the first records to contain a “sample” (of a baby crying) and it also featured the chugging, syncopated beat that would eventually become known as the “reggae” rhythm.
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