Harder Than Hard is the brainchild and labor of love of One Jam Music, a
boutique reggae music label. The project was inspired by the classic 1972 Jimmy
Cliff film written and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written by Trevor D.
Rhone. Considered a cult classic, The
Harder They Come was the first film made in Jamaica shortly after
independence, one of the most successful independent films of all time and "the
soundtrack album has joined Marley's catalog as reggae's cornerstones" (SF
Chronicle).
Continuing the firsts, Harder
Than Hard will be the first riddim-driven album that will use
samples and themes from one movie as the basis for all the songs on the
compilation. The album, slated for release in early 2014, will feature a
star-studded cast of established and rising dancehall and reggae artists and
will lead off with the single Harder
from Grammy nominated international star Bounty Killer.
On the eve of "Sting"
2013, dubbed "The greatest dancehall show on earth," the dancehall
world has been eagerly awaiting a response from Bounty Killer to challenges and insults hurled at him in recent months
from Mr. Vegas, Anthony B, and most recently Mavado. The Warlord has finally
responded, and it is with devastating impact. The musical response Harder, which conjures
up memories of a favorite dancehall era when lyrical battles were en vogue and
reached their highpoint at Sting, draws dialog samples from The Harder They Come, and
in true Killer style delivers a verbal lashing to his
challengers.
While the single for Harder
will be available on all major digital outlets served by digital giants 21st
Hapilos Digital, the 40-year legacy and enduring potency of The Harder They
Come is being celebrated by the film's owners, International Films Limited
(IFM) and their distribution partners. IFM, Syndctd Entertainment and Xenon
Pictures will digitally release the film on iTunes and through VHX in late
December. A blu-ray is set for Spring 2014 and various Harder They Come theatrical screenings / reggae music parties will roll out through 2014 on
college campuses and with Jamaican diaspora groups and roots reggae groups in
Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto and all over the globe.
by Contributed / Dec 16, 2013 09:42 am