Black Joy (1977) heads to DVD in remastered form

I'll be honest, I've never even heard of this one, let alone seen it. But Black Joy sounds like it's well worth seeking out.

Black Joy is described as an 'insightful if seedy' story of an innocent and unsophisticated Guyanan immigrant, Ben (Trevor Thomas), who is exposed to the hustle of the Brixton ghetto. Arriving with his cardboard suitcase and a piece of paper with the address of a relative on it, he loses his wallet and is forced to sleep rough. He meets Dave (Norman Beaton), a 'conniving hustler' who lives off the earnings of girlfriend Miriam (Floella Benjamin) and spends his days and money in gambling clubs and brothels. Dave at first sees the innocent Ben as an easy target, and offers to show him the ropes, meet girls and learn the ways of the big city; but ultimately the two men forge a unique friendship based on the corruption of the innocent and the survival of the underdogs.

Soul/reggae soundtrack sounds decent too, featuring the likes of Jimmy Helm, Johnny Nash, Shirley & Co, Billy Paul, Aretha Franklin, The Cimarons, Gladys Knight, The Drifters and The Three Degrees. Out on 4th April complete with a new film and audio transfer, it's selling for £9.70.

Find out more about the DVD at the Amazon website