Monday, October 7, 2024

VA - Lovers Rock, The Soulful Sound Of Romantic Reggae [2022] (3 x CDs)

TROJAN

VA - Lovers Rock, The Soulful Sound Of Romantic Reggae [2022] (3 x CDs)

The first British reggae sub-genre to achieve ‘outernational’ success and influence the music of Jamaica, lovers rock was a dominating force in the UK scene, from the mid-Seventies through to the close of the Eighties. Developed largely as a counterpoint to the more militant style of roots reggae, the romantically themed genre was heavily influenced by the styles of US R&B and the predominantly soulful Jamaican rock steady sound of the Sixties. Despite the style achieving mainstream success with a number of major UK chart hits, lovers rock received scant attention in the mainstream media until the screening of Steve’s McQueen’s award-winning 2020 BBC TV series, “Small Axe”, the highlight of which was an aptly titled episode that paid tribute to the style and its impact upon British culture. Since then, interest in the genre has continued to grow internationally and reflecting this trend comes this handsomely packaged album which is presented in this3CD set.

Comprising the most popular and influential recordings in the style, the collection includes works by such legendary British performers as Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Louisa Mark, alongside established Jamaican reggae royalty, notably Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, John Holt and Sugar Minott. With its focus firmly upon the best-loved romantic reggae sounds of the Seventies and Eighties (this 3CD set digs deep into the archive), this essential collection of dancefloor favourites provides the most authentic representation of lover's rock sounds yet to see issue. (Trojan)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Janet Kay - Silly Games 3:53

02 Carrol Thompson - Hopelessly In Love 3:53

03 Brown Sugar - I'm In Love With A Dreadlocks 3:13

04 Sister Stern - Devoted To You 3:06

05 Dennis Bovell As Africa Stone - Choose Me 3:44

06 Carrol Thompson - Simply In Love 4:00

07 Winston Reedy - Baby Love 3:57

08 Hortense Ellis - (Love Comes From The Most) Unexpected Places 4:18

09 Sylvia Tella - Spell 4:08

10 J Sisters - I Can't Give You Anithing (But My Love) 4:42

11 Marcia Aitken - I'm Still In Love With You 3:45

12 Marie Pierre - Can't Go Trough With Life 2:56

13 Louisa Mark - Keep It Like It Is 2:39

14 Errol Campbell - African Queen 3:15

15 Barry Biggs & Ruddy Thomas - Reflections Of My Life 3:32

16 Winston Reedy - Moi Emma Ooh 3:11

17 Angelique - Cry 4:11

18 Ruddy Thomas - When I Think Of You 3:29

19 Fil Callendar & The In Crowd - Baby My Love 5:25

20 Louisa Mark - Caught You In A Lie 3:28


CD02

01 Dennis Brown - Money In My Pocket 3:53

02 Sugar Minott - We've Got A Good Thing Going 3:35

03 Ruddy Thomas & Susan Cadogan - You Make Me Feel So Good 3:40

04 Winston Reedy - Dim The Light 4:08

05 June 'j.C.' Lodge - Someone Loves You, Honey 3:54

06 Leroy Brown - Taxi 4:03

07 Ruddy Thomas - Loving Pauper 3:18

08 John Holt - You Will Never Find  Another Love Like Mine 3:49

09 In Crowd - Sweet Man 3:56

10 Ken Boothe - Walk Away From Love 4:15

11 Marcia Griffiths - I'm Hutin' Inside 4:17

12 Delroy Wilson - Hooked On You 5:00

13 Keith Rowe - Groovy Situation 3:26

14 Cornel Campbell - Investigator 3:38

15 Sensations - Baby Love 2:42

16 Dennis Brown - Have You Ever Been In Love 3:06

17 Delroy Wilson - People Are  Doing It Every Day 4:08

18 Carrol Thompson & Sugar Minott - I Want To Make It With You 4:06

19 John Holt - Sweetie Come Brush Me 3:24

20 Dhaima - Can't Buy My Love 3:34


CD03

01 Gregory Isaacs - Night  Nurse 4:06

02 Carroll Thompson - I'm So Sorry 4:22

03 In Crowd - Getting Cozy 6:03

04 Freddie Mcgregor - When Push Comes To Shove 3:38

05 Sugar Minott - Lovers Race 2:52

06 Dennis Brown & John Holt - Wildfire 4:15

07 Winston Reedy - Personally Speaking 4:08

08 Ruddy Thomas - Just One Moment Away 3:24

09 Richard Ace - Supernatural Thing 3:19

10 Dennis Brown - Hold On To What You've Got 3:03

11 Barry Biggs - Side Show (Dancehall Mix) 3:27

12 T.T. Ross - Last Date 3:06

13 Freddie Mcgregor - Lover's Rock, J.A. Style 3:06

14 Gladwin Wright - Portrait Of You 5:30

15 Delroy Wilson - I'm Still Waiting 3:40

18 Marie Pierre - Walk Away 3:19

17 Dennis Brown - Love Has Found It's Way 4:29

18 Winston Reedy - Paradise (In Your Eyes) 4:22

19 John Holt - Ghetto Queen 4:46

20 Ruddy Thomas - Key To The World 4:40

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8 comments:

  1. I was one of those people turned onto Lovers Rock after watching that Small Axe film, and was mesmerised by the sequence playing Janet Kay's Silly Games.....incredible. I'm a huge fan of the genre now, and this is a terrific collection, BB. Thanks.

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    1. My pleasure, See Hear Podcast.
      That’s wonderful to hear! Lovers Rock is such a captivating genre, and Janet Kay’s “Silly Games” is indeed a mesmerizing track. The way it was featured in the Small Axe film really brought out its emotional depth and beauty. The Steve McQueen’s anthology of five films is excellent and should be watched by all. It’s great that you’ve discovered and are enjoying this genre. I agree with you too, this is a great collection of romantic reggae.
      Cheers.

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    2. BB, I picked up a terrific reissue of an album this year from Marcia Griffiths who may be proto Lovers Rock.....not sure. It's called Sweet & Nice. I'd urge you to search it out if you haven't already done so. It's great,

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    3. Hi See Hear Podcast.
      Thanks for the suggestion of which I am familiar with. Her work does have that romantic reggae feel.
      I have the 1974 album titled "Play Me Sweet and Nice" which is indeed great. I also have the 2023 set, Marcia Griffiths - Essential Artist Collection" and it is great too and has many of the tracks included.
      Cheers.

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