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...

Amandla! examines the pivotal role music played in South Africa's successful struggle to abolish Apartheid and in particular how lyrics and song became part of the then political activism within the country. The film also highlights the inspirational fight for freedom, where music created an effective underground form of communication within prison boundaries, providing a means of expression and uniting a nation of oppressed citizens. find out more...

Set in South London at the start of the '80s, a time when reggae music was at its peak and racism was rife, we follow Blue, the lead singer for Ital Lion Sound, in the run-up to a Sound System competition. Over the course of the story we see Blue clash, not only with the police and racists, but also family and friends as his anger and frustration finally becomes too much to suppress. A powerful and gritty drama with, as you'd expect, a blinding soundtrack. find out more...

Rapper/DJ Kenny meets jazz artist Tracy and, inspired by her commitment, decides to use his talents to escape the ghetto. However the death of a graffiti artist friend presents Kenny with an emotional dilemma, whether to honour the memory of his friend or pursue his own dreams. "Beat Street" doesn't have the most striking of story lines, but the film is really about the musical phenomenon of hip hop (correctly spotting the burgeoning talents of Afrika Bambaata and the Soul Sonic Force, Grand Mas find out more...

Christina Ricci turns all sexy and slutty and this little temptress is the devil for embittered bluesman, yep he woke up this morning, Lazarus, who needs to pray ter god as he chains her near naked body to the radiator in order to save her soul. This is a strange mix of steam, religion and human values as individuals work together to help heal each other's damaged psyches. An up-lifting tribute to human values, with a great blues soundtrack, in this 'Southern Gothic' adaptation of George Eliot's find out more...

Sydney and Dre have been friends since childhood and share both a passion for music (hip hop) and an unsung love for each other. So when Dre marries another woman, Sydney must make her move or risk losing her soul mate forever. A conventional romantic drama/comedy for when you're tired, undemanding… and in the mood. find out more...

This dramatic history of Chicago's Chess Records has a superb soundtrack(though it consists almost entirely of covers) and its insights into the relationship between white money making businessmen and poor black talent back in the stifling '50s more than makes up for its overwrought melodrama, historic inaccuracies and poor script. find out more...

Carmen, a sultry woman, seduces a young soldier, Joe, in order to avoid imprisonment. However, when she leaves Joe for another man, he seeks revenge.

There’s no sexier pairing in the history of black cinema than Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. She died tragically young but this performance sees her at her best – vivacious, talented, full of agency and power - Catharine Des Forges

Dorothy Dandridge as Carmen Jones stands right at the top of my list. No compet find out more...

A young woman smuggling marijuana crash-lands her plane in Jamaica, but a local named Countryman rescues her and leads her away from the pursuing authorities. Features a fantastic soundtrack with the likes of Bob Marley 'Natural Mystic', Wally Badarou 'Obeah Man Dub' and Human Cargo with 'Carry Us Beyond'. find out more...

Dave Chappelle had a dream, and with his infectious easy charm it was never unlikely he'd make it a reality. Michel Gondry's documentary follows the comedian on his travels through the heartlands of America to throw the ultimate Brooklyn block party. A life affirming and good natured journey punctuated by performances from some of Hip Hop and R&B's royalty; amongst them Kane West, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Cody Chestnutt and the Fugees. Good times. find out more...