Word Sound And Power: Soul Syndicate Band

The Soul Syndicate were one of the top reggae studio bands of the early and mid-’70s. This film from 1981 seems to be a star-making bid to promote them as successors to the Wailers and Toots and the Maytals’ success. Most of the film is devoted to music, thankfully. For the seasoned reggae fan, the live footage of this band will be a bonanza. They’re still tight but sound different than they do on the records for Dennis Brown that made them famous. Unfortunately, there is a strong romantic streak to this film, in that it tries to mythologise its subjects. Meandering interviews with band members reveal more about the filmmakers’ exotic perception of Rastafari than the religion itself. At least this film captures them in a fine, well-recorded setting in a Kingston yard with some good vocalists of the day, such as Earl Zero and Tony Tuff. On that level, this disc is well worth a look.