Music documentary recommendations 2025
Original IG post with additional entries
Lee Fields: Faithful Man
Lee Fields is a funk and soul legend 50 years in the making. In this feature documentary, his journey to find his place in soul music history takes you from vinyl to virtual — and back again.
Charlie Dark on Theo Parrish (at The Listening Room, 180 Studios) (Dec 25)
Recorded in Devon Turnbull’s Listening Room at 180 Studios, DJ, cultural mentor and resident host Charlie Dark returns with Theo Parrish Pt.2, where he dives into the hypnotic, percussive world of Parrish’s productions - music built on raw groove, soul, and Detroit grit.
Pump up the volume: A history of House music (2001, Channel 4)
Explains the origin of house music, starting in Chicago's 'Warehouse' club, and how it became the 'House' genre.
The Godfather of Disco // Mel Cheren // West-End Records (2013)
More than just about the life of Mel Cheren, it's a time capsule for what was a great era in New York City club culture.
Moodymann - An in-depth look at the Detroit roller skate event - Soul Skate 2018
The greatest night in pop/The night that changed music (2024)(Netflix)
“Stevie Wonder helping bob dylan get through a panic attack by showing him how to sing like bob dylan is etched in my brain”
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025)(Sky)
Questlove takes a look back at the show's musical past
We intend to cause havoc (2019)
The documentary about Zambia's most popular 1970s rock band, and the life of its lead singer, Jagari.
“I watched it so much when it first came out, seeing every day Zambian life in such a unique world is always nice too “
All the streets were silent (2021, Apple TV)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, skateboarding and hip-hop culture collide in downtown Manhattan.
Everybody is in the place by Jeremy Deller: An incomplete history of the UK 1984-1992 (2018)
A re-evaluation of acid house, a musical phenomenon that, as this film shows, did not spring out of nowhere, but owed its emergence to the social and political landscape of 1980s Britain
Jazz on a summers day (1959)
Intimate insight into how musically and socially the world was about to change in 59
Beastie Boys story (2020)
Directed by Spike Jonze. “Enjoyable even if you’re not a fan of their music, I think they’re really smart guys and it’s perhaps underestimated how pioneering they were”
Devo (2024)(Netflix)
Authentic account of Devo, the metamorphic art rockers who formed amid traumatic disillusionment following the National Guard's deadly confrontations with Vietnam War.
D’Angelo - Devil's Pie (2019)
The story of a soul singer who returns to the public eye after 14 years of absence.
Girlbands forever (bbc)
“I watched this and cried because it was my period and also because the nostalgia.”
The last pirates: Britain’s rebel djs (2024) (bbc/youtube)
Rodney P presents the untold story of Britain's second wave of pirate DJs who played a cat and mouse game with the law to create a platform for black music ...
Velvet Undergound (2021) (Apple tv)
as told by the band members for the very first time
Paris is Burning (1990) (prime video)
Focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers
Here to be heard: The Story of The Slits (2017) (Amazon prime)
-History of the all-girl punk band The Slits, from their formation in 1976 to their breakup in 2010
Keith Haring - Street Art boy (2020) (YouTube)
-The definitive story of international art sensation Keith Haring, told using previously unheard interviews.
Prince:
There is no major Prince documentary currently availarrble for public viewing. A 9-hour Netflix documentary directed by Ezra Edelman was completed but will not be released due to disagreements with the Prince Estate,
Rubble kings (2010) (Vimeo)
-Former gang members discuss the lifestyle and culture of roaming through the streets of New York in the 1970s.
23rd Century giants (YouTube)
-The musical careers of Brian Poole and David Janssen, also known as Renaldo & the Loaf, and the unique and avant-garde style of music made by the duo since the 1970s. “Very odd but in a good way”
The devil and Daniel Johnson (2005)(apple/youtube)
-Filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig chronicles the life of a manic-depressive musician and artist, using a blend of home movies, Johnston's own audiotapes, vintage performances
Wham
-2023 Netflix film that chronicles the rise of the British pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Whitney (2018) (itvx)
-directed by Kevin McDonald, never before seen footage, exclusive recordings and rare performances
1971: the year that music changed everything (2021) (Apple TV)
-The musicians and soundtracks that shaped the culture and politics of 1971.
LRDC Recs
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Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows (2015)(YouTube/apple)
-Story of the underrated soul singer on hi records, responsible for some of the biggest samples in hip hop history
Getting it back: The story of Cymande
(2022)(bbc/youtube)
-biography of one of the best British soul groups to ever exist, how they were ignored, and how an Underground following eventually lead to their recent comeback
Still Bill (2009) Apple tv
Through concert footage and interviews with musicians, his family and friends, Still Bill presents the story of songwriter and performer Bill Withers. STILL BILL paints the portrait of a man who chose to leave fame and fortune behind to remain true to himself.
Finding Fela! (2014)(Apple/youtube)
-hugely important and influential in Africa but lesser known in the western world at one time, this doc shows how the stage musical brought him to the worlds attention, and also focuses on surprising elements of his personal life as well as the more shocking aspects of his political activism
Sly lives (2025) (Disney)
-Questlove’s probing new film looks at the incredible life and works of the one-of-a-kind talent while also taking a broader look at the specific difficulties faced by Black artists
Beware of Mr.Baker (2012)(YouTube/apple)
-Filmmaker Jay Bulger interviews Ginger Baker, the legendary and often volatile drummer of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith. Also interesting to see him meeting Fela and setting up a studio in Africa
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Sun ra - space is the place