The Harder They Come

 

Just over 50 years ago, the German music magazine Sounds began promoting reggae more actively. I still remember a series by Teja Schwaner in which he explained the origins of reggae to German readers, going far beyond Bob Marley. Ska, and its gradual slowing down over several hot summers in Jamaica, evolved into rocksteady, characterized by it's dominant bass lines. 

This series also featured a film that depicted the era and the music scene in Jamaica quite realistically. The Harder They Come tells the story of Ivan Martin, a poor young man from rural Jamaica who seeks musical success in the big city and ultimately meets a violent end.

In these times it was impossible to watch the movie at my place and so I got the soundtrack instead. This soundtrack was my gateway to classic reggae and to Jimmy Cliff (who also plays the lead role in the film), The Slickers, many others, and later to dub. The soundtrack was released 54 years ago, and it’s time to revisit it.

Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come

The Slickers - Johnny Too Bad

Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross

Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want It

Monday's Long Song

 

In the mid-seventies, when music threatened to become boring, the German music magazine Sounds discovered reggae for itself and featured it extensively. This is how I became aware of Jamaican music and started to immerse myself more deeply in this sound.

To start with, it was the soundtrack to The Harder They Come, which then led me to classic roots reggae. One of the first ragga records I bought was Heart of the Congos by The Congos in 1977. From the very beginning I was impressed by the clarity and beauty of the songs, also because there were great singers at work who were able to use their tenor, falsetto and baritone exquisitely.

What I didn't know at the time and only noticed as a side note was that Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry produced this album in his Black Ark Studio. I now realize why this album became an early masterpiece of roots reggae.

The Congos - Congoman

The Harder They Come

The first time I got in contact to reggae music was around 1974 when I saw The Harder They Come in a late night special repetory cinema in my hometown. I have to admit that my English wasn't that well at this times and I sat there reading subtitles most of the time. But it wasn't necessary because you will understand the story anyway even if you don't understand every word. The story is simple and based on the life of rude boy Vincent 'Ivanhoe' Martin adapted into the 70's life in Kingston. The Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff plays in it Ivanhoe Martin, a young man who comes from the country to the city of Kingston and dreams of a career as a singer. Finally, after different approach difficulties he finds a producer (who stands on behalf for the large part of the Jamaican producers at that time). After him this pays only extremely meagerly, Ivan starts to earn his money with trade of the marihuana which is also unlawful in Jamaica. Accordingly he gets during conflict with the system what makes to him the life difficult – he is shot in a battle with the police. A simple and credible story but what fascinated me most was the soundtrack to this movie. Me and me mates have heard that there was a very special music over in Jamaica but never listened to any song. Jimmy Cliff and this movie introduced me to reggae and made me investigate more of this. Still then from time to time a reggae or dub record will find the way to my turntable and I enjoy it.

Jimmy Cliff - Pressure Drop
Jimmy Cliff - Johnny Too Bad
Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come
Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want