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Dance Craze (1981) - 7/10

Gareth Crook

Is this a documentary? Sort of, it’s more of a nonlinear concert film held together with some Pathe news style voiceover. It’s still a wonderful window though, into early 80s UK youth music culture, or more succinctly, Ska. As a viewer you’re thrown right into the mix, on stage with The Specials as Terry Hall asks if we’re having fun. I say we’re, he’s talking to a crowd over 45 years ago, but it feels like he’s talking to you right now. The camera stays loose yet focused as Madness hit the stobes and vanish in a maelstrom of tightly controlled flailing limbs. A very young Buster Bloodvessel sweats over a smartly dressed saxophonist as Bad Manners get bouncy. The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter, The Beat, everyone sounds bloody brilliant. Alan Snelling who mixed this knew what he was doing. We hear the crowd between songs, but the bands are front and centre throughout. They’re the perceived stars, but really for me, it’s the camera operators, they’re fantastic. This must’ve been an absolute joy to edit. The footage is stunning. It’s not all the same venue, I think there’s about half a dozen, given away largely by the clothes changing, but it feels like it could all be one absolutely perfect night. Although archive cutaways of a theatre stage during Madness’s take on ‘Swan Lake’ might break the rhythm, it still works. Madness are brilliant. They really don’t get the credit they deserve. They go toe to toe with The Specials throughout, although Bad Manners make sure they’re not left out. There’s an odd interlude where the Pathe guy is back with some footage of stuffy Britain trying to swing with the latest dance crazes and The Shadows. The point being I suppose the conformity of respectable white society and what Ska was trying to break free from. If you don’t like Ska, don’t bother, but if you think you do like Ska, this will convince you you love it!


7/10


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