For these kids—as for the street punks of A Brighter Summer Day—music is one of the few bright spots in their lives. Babylon delivers the goods in that department, featuring a soundtrack laden with the heavy reggae and dub that Blue and his friends blast out of their massive portable sound-system. These cavernous, dusty jams—tracks by artists like British producer Dennis Bovell, soul man Johnny Clarke, and roots godhead Yabby You—provide a sanctuary and a spiritual refuge for these youth in revolt. Our Film Comment Playlist builds off of that original soundtrack, blending British and Jamaican dub and reggae tracks that evoke the themes and vibes of the film. Drop that digital needle, and chant down Babylon… Babylon screens March 8 through 14 at BAM.
Clinton Krute is Film Comment’s digital editor.
