Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

'Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's Vision' will be available on DVD on February 12. - Contributed

The newly proclaimed 'reggae month' will be getting its full dose of the king of reggae, Bob Marley, with the premiere of the documentary Africa Unite: A Celebration of The Vision of Bob Marley, along with a look back at the Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite concert.

Two of many events to be held throughout the month to celebrate the reggae legend, Africa Unite is planning to make its impact on Jamaica. On Marley's birthday, February 6, at the Carib 5 Cinema, Africa Unite the film will have its world premiere. The documentary features American actor Danny Glover, Angelique Kidjo, the I-Threes and the Marley family.

The film is centred on events before, during and after the Marley family's first family trip to Ethiopia in 2005 for the twelve-hour Africa Unite concert held in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Three hundred thousand persons from across the globe helped the Marley family celebrate Bob Marley's 60th birthday that year with the massive outdoor concert.

Humanitarian efforts

The film also looks at the Marley family's travelogue, humanitarian efforts and documents the spirit of the legendary reggae icon. The film also includes rare archival footage of Marley himself. The 2005 concert was the realisation of an ambitious vision of unity that Bob Marley preached about when he performed at the now historic 1978 Zimbabwe concert.

The film features key persons involved in the effort to unite the nations. included among them are UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover, Jamaican politician Dudley Thompson, world music sensation Angelique Kidjo, Marley's mother Mrs. Booker, American singer Lauryn Hill, Jamaican singer Bob Andy, singer Penny Afro, the Marley boys-Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Rohan and Julian. It also features a special appearance by Princess Mary the granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie.

According to Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment, publicity agents for the Marley's musical interests, the film is an 'interesting' look at the family, the concert and the thoughts of the young generation in Africa.

This year will also see the Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica concert at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa on Saturday, February 23. Smile Jamaica was held last year in Marley's hometown of Nine Miles, St. Ann, to rave reviews.

However, this is the first time that the Africa Unite concert will be held outside of Africa. Hamilton commented, "Its usually held in Africa but this time we thought the message would be nice to have in the Diaspora. Africa is more than a continent - its a people."

The concert will be more than seven hours beginning with traditional Nyabinghi drummers and dancers from Africa. The line-up includes all the Marley brothers, Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Black Uhuru, Rihanna, Two Face, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrika, Bunny Wailer and the I-Threes along with many others. There will also be a special tribute to the recently- deceased African singer Lucky Dube.

According to Hamilton, the Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica concert is more than the music as it has a long tradition of peace and unity. He said, "There will be a lot of messages in the music, its the nature of both concerts to have positive vibes for Jamaica calling for the people of Africa to unite."

Left: Actor Danny Glover makes an appearance in the documentary, Africa Unite. Right: Singer Rihanna, along with Fugees frontwoman Lauryn Hill, is scheduled to make an appearance at Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica concert at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa on Saturday, February 23. - File photos