Alert icon
We're changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.  Learn more  Dismiss

Soul Power - Feat. James Brown, Ali, and more.....

Loading...

Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon
Upgrade to the latest Flash Player for improved playback performance. Upgrade now or more info.
51,812
Loading...
Alert icon
Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon

Uploaded by on Jul 1, 2009

In 1974, the most celebrated American R&B acts of the time came together with the
most renowned musical groups in Africa for a 12-hour, three-night long concert held in
Kinshasa, Zaire. The dream-child of Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine, this music
festival became a reality when they convinced boxing promoter Don King to combine
the event with The Rumble in the Jungle, the epic fight between Muhammad Ali and
George Foreman, previously chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary
WHEN WE WERE KINGS.

SOUL POWER is a verité documentary about this legendary music festival (dubbed
Zaire 74), and it depicts the experiences and performances of such musical
luminaries as James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz, among a host of others.
At the peak of their talents and the height of their careers, these artists were inspired by
this return to their African roots, as well as the enthusiasm of the Zairian audience, to
give the performances of their lives. The concert has achieved mythological
significance as the definitive Africa(n)-American musical event of the 20th Century.

SOUL POWER is crafted from the extensive outtakes that remained after making
WHEN WE WERE KINGS, which documented the epic title fight, but relegated the
music festival to a small, supporting role. The outtakes have remained vaulted for the
past 34 years, until now. The film was ultimately edited down from over 125 hours
worth of footage. Lensed primarily by celebrated cinematographers Albert Maysles,
Paul Goldsmith, Kevin Keating and Roderick Young, SOUL POWER finally provides
todays audience the opportunity to experience this historic musical event in all of its
magnificent, filmed glory.

http://www.blacktree.tv

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (21)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • AWESOME FILM!!!

  • awesome, awesome, awesome documentary...mainly for the music, the energy, the back to Africa vibe...

  • Lemme tell ya, if you haven't seen this film, and you like soul music, RENT IT.

  • Love him in the tights lol

  • @Chilli0912 hahaha yeah me too!

  • Just found it ( the dvd ).. woohoo!!

  • @filthyfunke me and you both!!!

  • Somebody should upload it here!

  • Every day I'd see Boardroom Klansmen, BURT SUGAR, and many more ranting and raving about DON KING! I'D listen to them and all I could divulge from their complaints was, KING was an Astute Business Man! So they had to Lynch Him.

    WHY? (TRADITION). King appeared at the REP CONV. waving the Conf flag of surrender.

    And I have not heard one word since, about doing a MARCUS GARVEY, ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, JACK JOHNSON, MUHAMMAD ALI,

    PAUL ROBESON, MICHAEL JACKSON, O J SIMPSON, on Him!

  • this film is worth watching for the James Brown footage alone (alas, I wish I could see the whole of his set!)

Loading...

Alert icon
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more