Today is Documinute’s first birthday so I have put together a Documinute Plus that we were planning to release in a couple of weeks time anyway – but I thought we have reason to celebrate, and celebrations and music go hand-in hand.
Ethel, the Tattoo Artist introduced me to Sound System and her partner Lekentle. Lekentle is a Roots Reggae Selector. Selectors do not mix like House DJs do, they play a selection from their collection, hence ‘Selector’.
I was not expecting a deep story when I went to meet with Lekentle, I thought a bit of music in a park was a nice day out…and it was, it was amazing, but when I got a chance to research the topic a bit more and to speak with Lekentle, I realised the enormity of what they do.
This is a truly beautiful thing that Ethel and Lekentle are doing, through Lekentle’s ‘label’/Sound: Kebra Ethiopia. Music is meant to be shared and using the Sound System they built, they take the music to the people, often in parks in Townships.
Lekentle is an internationally renowned Selector but the events he is passionate about are the free ones he puts together for people who can dance like no one is watching. It’s beautiful and in the true spirit of Ubuntu. Being there and watching the people dance and feeling the drums reverberate through my whole body, I have never felt more happy to call Africa my home.
Thank you Lekentle for helping me mark the best working year of my life, a year of storytelling and meaningful projects. I am so happy to be able to share your story with everyone and add it to the work I am most proud of and get to call Documinute.
*“Sound System” or “System” refers not just to the speakers but also the music movement that was created in Jamaica. “Sound” can also be used to refer to the speakers, not just the music.
Producer/Director/Editor: Tamarin Gerriety DOP: Andrew McGarrity (www.andrewmcphotos.com) 2nd Camera (CA only): Tamarin Gerriety Assistant: Laura Mc Garrity Final Mix: Sterling Sound
