On a summer's day in 1958, fifty seven of the era's greatest jazz musicians gathered together in Harlem, New York City. The purpose - a now legendary photograph to be taken by top snapper Art Kane. This is the fascinating story of that day and the people, many of whom had never really met before, involved, with home-movie camera clips, some great musical interludes and interviews with many of the participants 35 years on. Narrated by Quincy Jones. find out more...

Superb biopic of legendary country singer Loretta Lynn. Sissy Spacek, who incidentally has a belting voice, deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for her moving portrayal of the naive Kentucky farm girl who became a singing superstar against all the odds, while Tommy Lee Jones is dynamite as her husband Doolittle. Beverly D'Angelo is also a revelation as Loretta's close friend, the late great Patsy Cline. An inspirational rags-to-riches story, only to be avoided if you have a strong aversion to find out more...

Following Cobain from his earliest years in Aberdeen, WA, through the height of his fame, a visceral and detailed cinematic insight of an artist at odds with his surrou find out more...

Charting a golden era of British music. American blues found its first white audience, in British ports! Ergo The Animals, Stones, Yardbirds, Beatles and many others, the import of a young Hendrix, the development of R&B and its Heavy Metal progeny. Much twanging of guitars and blowing of blues harps. find out more...

1950, rural Alabama; times are hard for 'The Honeydripper' a club where traditional blues music doesn't pull the crowds, the young cotton pickers and army boys prefering a rival bar with its juke-box, but help may arrive in the help of handsome young Sonny, his electric guitar and rock'n'roll. A lovely piece of independent cinema from the maestro John Sayles; a movie about myth, about family, about change and, above all, about music. find out more...

From the 1958 Newport Jazz festival this is truly a gathering of the masters. Free-wheeling be-bop, toe tapping trad' and even a smattering of rock 'n' roll, courtesy of Chuck Berry. If you don't like jazz this could well be the tape that changes your mind. Solid Jackson! find out more...

A stunning dramatisation of the mesmerising life and ultimately tragic times of Edith Piaf, the ‘little sparrow'. The singer's life is beautifully evoked, as is the time, while Marion Cotillard in the central role is perfection. A moving and marvellous delight.....'Je ne regrette rien'. find out more...

Winner of an Oscar for "Best Documentary", this film (beautifully shot in black and white) recaptures the life and music of the late, great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. The founder of the Californian school of "Cool Jazz" this film is in itself remarkably cool and stylish. find out more...

An homage to Josef Von Steinberg's The Blue Angel, Lola is a cabaret singer and prostitute who spots an opportunity to improve her social standing when a straight-laced buildings commissioner falls for her charms. As usual, Fassbinder creates a touchingly humorous portrait of human weakness and strength all painted with a lusiciously garish palette and a heavy dollop of melodramic kitsch. find out more...

Great doco about the early days of NY hip hop and life on the projects. One of the best features of this film is that it examines the political trajectory of Nas' career through his lyrics as well as the environment and familial situation that gave rise to his stardom. Must see for fans of his music. And anyone interested in the political side of rap music.

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