 Available now on DVD is Soul Power, a documentary about the legendary Zaire ‘74 festival which brought North American stars like Celia Cruz, James Brown, Bill Withers, Miriam Makeba and B.B. King to the stage during the famed “Rumble in the Jungle” match between Muhammad Ali and George Forman in 1974.
The film features insightful behind-the-scenes footage of luminaries like James Brown enjoying soul food and giving a toast and Muhammad Ali talking about the contemporary, sophistication of Zaire. The film does an excellent job of showcasing brilliant, high-energy performances from artists such as The Fania All Stars as well as traditional African dancers. The doc presents a different perspective of a seminal period in both music and sports history that focuses on the cross-cultural exchange of talent and shines a new light on some of music’s greatest stars. |