We Are Rockers

(Hardback)

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Description

Set amongst the reggae scene of late 70s Jamaica, Rockers achieved instant cult status among music and cinema fans. Director Ted Bafaloukos has received many accolades for his work on the film, but the fact that he was also a fine writer and photographer is often overlooked. In We Are Rockers, his experiences in Jamaica and New York between 1975 and 1978 are paired with an invaluable collection of photographs taken during the writing and production of the film. Beyond reggae circles, this anthology offers an unparalleled snapshot of Jamaican cool.

Reviews

"How did a freelance photographer from a remote Greek island direct the greatest reggae feature film to date This beautifully presented hardback weaves a complex, entrancing explanation, revealing in elegiac prose and striking photographs how director Ted Bafaloukos's sailor father pointed him to the Rhode Island School of Design in 1964 following a random encounter. In 1975, Ted begins shooting Augustus Pablo and Burning Spear in Brooklyn, leading to his first trip to Jamaica and the concept of the cinematic reggae venture, despite being first detained as a suspected CIA agent. Things unfold organically as Ted opts for Spear's drummer Horsemouth in the lead role, the supporting cast featuring Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth, Kiddus I and producer Jack Ruby, among others. Making the film requires repeated hugs with the local obeah woman, tussles with gunmen, pilfered production funds and test negotiations with Bob Marley; the end result surpassing even Bafaloukos's own expectations." - 5-Star Review in MOJO Magazine

"From start to finish, Rockers engages with its warm good humour and razor-sharp observation. A fine writer, Bafaloukos introduces us to the Kingston melodica-player Augustus Pablo, whose great studio album King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown (1976) provided Bafaloukos with a title for his film. [...An] altogether fascinating book." - Ian Thomson for the Times Literary Supplement (UK)

Author Bio

Ted Bafaloukos (1946 - 2016) - Ted was born in Greece and left Andros Greece at age 17 in the mid 60s to attend RISD (1964 - 1968). He served 2 years in the Greek Army. He then moved to New York shortly thereafter and eventually became fascinated by Jamaican Music after seeing an intimate live show in Brooklyn. Seb Carayol - Editor, curator, writer for both films and books. Carayol curated both the Jamaica Jamaica! and Hometown HiFi Exhibitions, and authored the Agents Provocateurs book for Gingko Press. Cherry Karou Hulsey - Cherry is the widow of Patrick Hulsey, producer of Rockers, the movie, and was on set for the filming. She conceived of the Rockers book and served as Senior Editor on the project. Eugenie Bafaloukos - Eugenie is a costume designer and widow of director Ted Bafaloukos. Mrs. Bafaloukos lives in Andros, Greece.