Stuff You Gotta Watch: Bullwackie in New York
After having done some recording in his home country of Jamaica in the 1960s, Lloyd Barnes, AKA Bullwackie, migrated to the Bronx. In 1976, he set up a studio to record both resident and visiting fellow Jamaicans. The result was Wackie’s, a label that quickly built an impressive catalog still much sought-after today. Christopher Coy’s 1981 documentary Bullwackie in New York not only showcases Barnes’ work and dedication, but also provides an invaluable glimpse into the reggae/soundsystem culture of New York—which went otherwise largely undocumented.
Clocking in at about one hour, Bullwackie in New York gathers first-person testimonies from Clive Hunt, Steve Grandison, and Barnes himself to offer a privileged insight into the scene, while also allowing us to take a peek at some studio action. All this is intertwined with stunning live performances from the likes of Ras Clifton, Milton Henry, Inner Harvest, and Itopia, as well as a handful of candid images from everyday life in the late ’70s Bronx, all soundtracked by Wackie’s roster.
Review by Ana Leorne. Check out the full archive of the Stuff You Gotta Watch column.