Inna De Yard: The Soul Of Jamaica

★★★★ Dir: Peter Webber BORSOLINO PRODUCTIONS/WAGRAM FILMS. C/S Intimate portrait of the acoustic reggae collective. Since 2004, acoustic collective Inna De Yard have produced unplugged albums by veterans such as The Congos, The Viceroys and Winston McAnuff, aiming to return reggae to its roots fundamentals. After a period of inactivity, the project achieved tremendous result with 2017’s

The Soul Of Jamaica album, and Peter Webber’s documentary allows intimate access to the sessions that produced the LP on a mist-filled veranda in the Kingston hills. Ken Boothe, Kiddus I, McAnuff and lead Congo Cedric Myton show camaraderie throughout, while there is mentorship as Judy Mowatt duets with rising star Jah9 and the others pass the baton to youngbloods Derajah and Var. Rousing footage of a Paris show emphasises the music’s ability to transcend borders, yet the film’s greatest strength comes in its autobiographical vignettes, filmed with each performer in their natural habitat, bringing into touching focus their experiences of hardship and grief, optimism and endurance.