TOTALITARIAN STATE. MUSIC. SOCIETY. INDEPENDENCE. THOUGHT POLICE. “Beats of Freedom” follows a history of Polish music and the major role music played in the fight for freedom. History of unconventional rock – music that was pure, music that spoke from the heart. It follows artists who did not seek fame did not flaunt their egos. Music with out gimmick, music that spoke to generations of youth who sought freedom and longed for escape route in the country that was like prison, with no right to a passport – with no way out of the grey reality.

Directed by Leszek Gnoiski and Wojciech Sota, and narrated by music journalist Chris Salewicz, The film chronicles the rock/punk movement from the 50s until the fall of communism. It features plenty of archival footage of some of the most iconic festivals and influential bands that provided a voice for those without one, and an outlet for emotional release, as well as present-day interviews with many of the musicians who fought for the independence and freedom of speech. Czeslaw Niemen, Maanam, Brygada Kryzys, Perfect, Republika, and Lady Pank.

The film shows also the absurdity and hilarity  of an oppressive system which tried to censor the artists message. Yet the musicians found innovative ways to spread their message of truth, of hope and freedom.

Humanity that can not be stopped. It can be gagged and silenced for but not forever.

“they measured us all equally
assigned our time for work and dreams
there was nothing else for us to do
but we still somehow clueless how to live our life’s

the adult kids are still angry
for the horrible recipe for this world”

The message that was send then is as valid today in the current world we are living. Nothing has changed – be it capitalism or communism. The oppression of the people continues to this day, wrapped under different names – they say it is in the name of freedom and human rights. But they have one goal in mind, it is to control the human mind, to enslave the mind. This film shows that humanity is nature and can not be controlled. Humanity can not be ruled, but lead only when it’s for the good of the majority of society and not for the selected few.

Click and Watch here BEATS OF FREEDOM. Make sure to play full screen so the advertising banners disappear.

SUN RA : A Joyful Noise, a documentary film looks at one of Americas most enigmatic musicians composer pianist and philosopher Sun Ra whose flamboyant decades-long career spanned the range of jazz styles. Claiming to be an angelic being from Saturn Sun Ra is here captured in interviews and rehearsing with his Arkestra band performing compositions such as “Astro Black” “We Travel the Spaceways” “Ankh” and more.

Vinyl documentary by Alan Zweig investigates the wacky world of record collecting. In the film Zweig seeks not to talk to people who collect vinyl records to discuss music but rather to discuss what drives people to collect vinyl records in the first place. Zweig spends a large portion of the film in stylized self-filmed “confessions” where he expounds on his life.

The documentary “Fela Kuti Music is  the Weapon” wit the Afrobeat legend, political revolutionary, musician, composer and performer, mixes footage of Fela Anikulapo Kuti performing at his Shrine nightclub, interviews with the controversial musician, glimpses of life at his not-so-palatial Kalakuta Republic compound, and scenes of Lagos street life. Some voice-over narration gives basic information on Kuti’s musical career and Nigerian politics, but for the most part, the images are left to speak for themselves. Well shot in color, it’s an important historical document capturing Kuti in stage and home environments that were most crucial to his life and work.

Music is a weapon of the future / music is the weapon of the progressives / music is the weapon of the givers of life.” Fela Kuti

” PLAY LOUD / PLAY FOREVER” Peter Missing – Humanity Records

Wattstax is a 1973 documentary film by Mel Stuart that focused on the 1972 Wattstax music festival and the African American Watts Los Angeles, California.  organized by Memphis‘s Stax Records to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots. Wattstax was seen by some as “the Afro-American answer to Woodstock“. To enable as many members of the black community in L.A. to attend as possible, tickets were sold for only $1.00 each. The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave the invocation, which included his “I Am – Somebody” poem, which was recited in a call and response with the assembled stadium crowd. In the film, interspersed between songs are interviews with Richard Pryor, Ted Lange and others who discuss the black experience in America.

Jumping continents and crossing cultures, “Planet B-Boy” looks at the history of breakdancing and its vibrant resurgence in urban cultures around the world.

WILD COMBINATION is director Matt Wolf’s visually absorbing portrait of the seminal avant-garde composer, singer-songwriter, cellist, and disco producer Arthur Russell. Before his untimely death from AIDS in 1992, Arthur prolifically created music that spanned both pop and the transcendent possibilities of abstract art. Now, over fifteen years since his passing, Arthur’s work is finally finding its audience. Wolf incorporates rare archival footage and commentary from Arthur’s family, friends, and closest collaborators—including Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg—to tell this poignant and important story.

Before iPods (or even CDs) there were boomboxes. It’s been 20 years since they disappeared from the streets, but the nostalgia they evoke is about more than stereo equipment. We’ve changed the way we listen to music — and to each other. Learn more about the boombox at npr.org

The never ending vinyl debate – Is vinyl dead? Will vinyl ever die?  When did  vinyl die?  Is vinyl dead as everything else  people falsely conceive to be dead?  Documentary investigating the future of vinyl music and culture by Josh Ralph. When will vinyl kill the mp3 industry?

What is Breakcore? (baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more) Breakcore is the bastard hate child of jungle, happy hardcore, gabba, speedcore, drum ‘n’ bass, techno, electronica, IDM, acid house, ragga, electro, dub, industrial, noise, grindcore, hardcore, metal and punk. This is a statement video/documentry on one of the most progressive music scenes.