Pop! goes the curriculum: songs to inspire primary school children
Keir Starmer is on a personal mission to promote music to the under-11s. From rock’n’roll to Jonathan Richman, our writers suggest songs for an alternative schooling
August 2022
Observer New Review Q&A
Reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff: ‘In England we had to fight to get any kind of recognition’
The Harder They Come review – Jimmy Cliff falls hard in visceral revenge western
August 2021
The return of Jimmy Cliff: ‘Rebel spirit is still in the Jamaican people’
As he releases new music at the age of 77, one of reggae’s foundational figures charts his astonishing life in music, via swinging London, Brazilian samba and the chaotic bravado of The Harder They Come
July 2021
Blaxploitation salvation: the directors’ children rescuing their fathers’ lost movies
Melvin Van Peebles and Perry Henzell made seminal 70s films – now their kids have recovered their fathers’ would-be classics
August 2019
From the Guardian archive
Bringing reggae to a new audience - archive, 1973
9 August 1973 Once the underdog of western popular music, now, the time is deemed right for the promotion of Jamaica’s top reggae bands
July 2019
Love Supreme festival – mindful, vivacious, beguiling: jazz in infinite variety
From Chick Corea and Jimmy Cliff to Theon Cross, musicians known and new entertained a record 50,000 people
July 2018
Various artists: This Is Trojan 50! review – the label that changed Britain
Trojan’s releases introduced the UK to reggae, deejaying, toasting, lovers rock, dancehall – and Five Star’s dad. This is an immaculately curated collection of a golden era
August 2014
Jimmy Cliff review – a joyful jamboree
A musical masterclass from the legendary Jamaican underlines reggae's enduring ability to spark communal elation, writes Mark Beaumont
March 2013
WOMADelaide festival 2013 – review
WOMADelaide festival 2013 – in pictures
August 2012
How we made
How we made: songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff and actor Carl Bradshaw on The Harder They Come
'The director wanted everything to seem real: we spoke patois – and the ganja was real, too'
July 2012
Womad preview - in pictures
Jimmy Cliff: 'I always have a positive outlook' - video interview
Womad 2012: festival preview
Jimmy Cliff at Womad festival 2003 - video
Womad festival preview - video
My family values
Jimmy Cliff: My family values
May 2012
Womad 2012: Femi Kuti joins Robert Plant and Jimmy Cliff at festival
Hugh Masekela and King of Rai among artists scheduled to perform at 30th anniversary of world music festival
April 2012
Music blog
Seen Kevin Macdonald's Marley biopic? Here's more reggae on celluloid
Neil Spencer: From Kingston to Lewisham, here are five other must-see reggae movies
