It's All About Dancing: A Jamaican Dance-U-Mentary
It's All About Dancing: A Jamaican Dance-U-Mentary is a 2006 Jamaican documentary film that reveals dancehall culture in its truest form. Filmed in the country where dancehall began, the film incorporates the best of the local dancehall selectors, DJ’s and dancers, almost all of whom are native to Jamaica; including Ding Dong, the host of the film. Other star performers featured are Beenie Man, Elephant Man, T.O.K., Mr. Vegas, Voicemail, Macka Diamond, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Tony Matterhorn, Scatta, Richie Feelings, Bogle, John Hype, Ice, Sadiqy & G-Unit, Latisha and Kiyo (dancehall queens).
| It's All About Dancing: A Jamaican Dance-U-Mentary | |
|---|---|
 DVD Cover | |
| Directed by | Jason “Jay Will” Williams |
| Produced by | Carleene Samuels, Jonathan Fine (Executive Producer) |
| Starring | Ding Dong, Elephant Man, John Hype |
| Cinematography | Shane Sauer |
| Edited by | Jay Will |
Production company | Fine Gold Productions |
| Distributed by | Penalty/Rykodisc |
Release date | January 14, 2006 (Japan) January 31, 2006 (US) |
| Country | Jamaica, Japan, USA |
| Language | English, Patois |
Together in one “dance-u-mentary”, all the key figures of dancehall describe the style, history, language and their personal definitions of dancehall culture. Directed by Jason “Jay Will” Williams (music videos for Shaggy, T.O.K., Voice Mail)[1] and produced by Carleene Samuels, It’s All About Dancing shows the essence of dancehall through interviews and candid monologues inter-spliced with improvisational dance sequences that aim "to teach anyone the basics of the cross-cultural, multigenerational, phenomenon called dancehall."
Release
It's All About Dancing was screened at Soho House New York, in New York City on May 19, 2006, where director Jay Will also held a Q&A following each screening.
The DVD was released internationally through Rykodisc International in Japan January 14, 2006, and in the United States January 31, 2006.
Reception
Critical response
Upon release, It's All About Dancing received acclaim from many international publications, including The New York Times, The Fader, Vibe, The Voice, and Touch Magazine.
Touch Magazine gave it a five star review, claiming that "The footage from Passa Passa in Tivoli Gardens in Kingston is pretty mental!...this is an interesting documentary with a useful instructional section."
The Voice called It's All About Dancing a "Professional, high quality DVD that offers a thorough insight into the world of Jamaican dances."
John Masouri of Echoes (UK) gave the film a glowing review, writing that "The director doesn't put a foot wrong throughout...It's All About Dancing has plenty to offer dancehall aficionados in general, and not just the fleet-footed among us."
Air Jamaica's in-flight magazine Sky Writings called it a "Vibrant and beautifully executed 'dance-u-mentary'...which shines a spotlight on current Jamaican dance crazes."
Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times gave praise to host Ding Dong, writing that "As you can tell from the DVD, Ding Dong is a likable star...more marketable than many established reggae stars; no doubt some record executive is hatching a plot right now."[2]
Featured Tracks
The following tracks appear in the movie, in order of appearance:
- Shake It : Sean Paul
- Body Move : Yellowman
- Keep It Jiggy : Elephant Man
- Chakka Dance : Beenie Man
- Wacky Dip : Voicemail
- Jonkanoo Rhythm : Donovan Bennett & Nigel Staff
- Weh Di Time : Voicemail, Delly Ranks & Bogle
- All About Dancing Pt.2 : Tony Matterhorn & Richie Feelings
- Version : Tony Matterhorn & Richie Feelings
- Scoobay Rhythm : Mario C
- Party Time : Danny English & Egg Nog
- Diwali Rhythm : Lenky
- No Apology : Vybz Kartel
- Coolie Dance Rhythm : Cordell “Scatta” Burrell
- Look Good Machine (version) : KC Jockey
- Tic Toc : KC Jockey
- Guala Guala Rhythm : Reggae Vibes Productions
- Perfect Rhythm : Reggae Vibes Productions
- Oh My Swing : Tornado & Ding Dong
- Run Out Pon Dem : Sizzla
- Lightning Flash : Shane-O
- All Dem Deh : Bogle & L.A. Lewis
- Go Down (Rhythm) : J. Marty
- Hot Hot Heat (Rhythm) : Steven “Lenky” Marsden
DVD Features
- "How-to-dance" instructional sessions with Ding Dong, John Hype, Ice and Sadiky
- Interviews and music from: Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Sizzla, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Mr. Vegas, T.O.K., Voicemail, Tony Matterhorn & more.
- Documentary Segments on the slang, fashion and history of dance.
- Over 60 dances including Wacky Dip, Willie Bounce, Oh My Swing, Government, Gorilla Warfare, VIP, Dr. Bird, JAG, Step Away, Scoobay, Air Force 1, Weddy Weddy, Shankle Dip, Santa Bounce and many more.
- Dancehall Queen showcase.
- Live footage and interviews from "Passa Passa" one of Kingston's most popular and longest running parties.
- Directors bonus footage.
- Over 100 minutes of non-stop dancehall culture.
- Behind the scenes slideshow.
Bogle Tribute
The DVD also features a tribute to Gerald "Bogle" Levy, founding father of Jamaican dancing. Bogle was gunned down in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 20, 2005- one year prior to the film's release date.[3] An all-star dance tribute, along with never-before-seen footage of Bogle can be found on the main DVD menu.
External links
References
- "Jay Will". Vimeo. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- Sanneh, Kelefa (2006-02-13). "At the Dancehall, Where Party Meets Performance". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
- "Jamaica Gleaner - Bogle's last dance - Friday | January 21, 2005". old.jamaica-gleaner.com. Retrieved 2015-09-11.