The Rhythmatist

1985's documentary THE RHYTHMATIST had been a Holy Grail of viewing for me for many years.  Is there anything more obscure than this movie? Somewhat surprising as it features one of the world's best known drummers, Stewart Copeland, who by the time of production had made his name with The Police and was beginning to hone a long career in television and film scoring.   His years with Sting and Andy Summers would form some of my favorite music of all time.  I'm an active listener to this day.  I began to get into the RUMBLE FISH soundtrack in the '80s but did not hear any of the music for THE RHYTHMATIST until several years later.  I was immediately transfixed.

Copeland's music was always rich with polyrhythm, so it seemed natural for him to trace the origins of his complex fills by traveling to the Dark Continent.  As the tagline reads, "a musical odyssey through the heart of Africa in search of the roots of rock & roll." In his early narration, Copeland states that American music was "overwhelmingly dominated in its primitive stages not by Europe but by Africa."  He adds that solid tempo and 4/4 time is what his generation danced to.   The master drummer/percussionist and all around musician travels across many countries to learn from and jam with the natives, who often merely use sticks and bones to make their music.

Sounds like a fine idea for a doc, and the soundtrack, with its use of sampled chants and interesting keyboard to augment the percussion, is just fabulous.  Director Jean-Pierre Dutilleux also finds several key moments on open prairies.  His aerial work of herds of animals is nice.  When Copeland journeys deep into the jungle  it almost feels like something out of Joseph Conrad.  But he partakes of the local herb and has hallucinations that are the nadir of this movie.  I was squirming though most of them.

Copeland also rather ill advisedly fashioned a fictional narrative throughout the film.  One where he meets an attractive blonde who becomes his travel companion for a time.  Also, a famous doctor who had taken up this pilgrimage before our narrator is referred to more than once.  And it's just silly.  Just about all of it.  So unnecessary.  Then there's that scene with the lions surrounding the drummer as he plays in a cage.  Why did Stew feel he needed these elements? They only distract and bore.   If he had just stayed with the footage of the locals, we would have had a mini classic.

Like that mesmerizing part where a tribal woman puts her head next to Copeland's as they drive through a chant.  That's the gold in them there hills, invisible audience.

I learned that THE RHYTHMATIST had been uploaded to Vimeo, and jumped at the chance to watch it should someone take it down.  It is worth the slog for fans, but could've been so much more.