Lover’s Rock — Brief History
There are many sub-genres to Reggae and Lover’s Rock has been a special addition to the family. Dubbed the Motown of Reggae, Lover’s Rock formed as a romantic and apolitical counter to the Rastafarian sound of reggae, bringing a distinct sound in 1970s South London.
The sound of Lover’s Rock combines rocksteady sounds and reggae’s traditional bass line with soul from across the atlantic forming the smooth sounds it is famous for.
Primarily, the artists that were performing the songs under the genre were all British born Caribbeans who had a deep connection with reggae as well as the up and coming elements of soul for the period (we’ve all heard Cameo’s Candy) which brought the opportunity to fuse their culture to produce a sound in the UK.
The 70s saw the emergence of young female singers such as Janet Kay and Louisa Marks who brought songs such as ‘Silly Games’ and ‘Caught Up In A Lie’ respectively. Janet Kay’s ‘Silly Games’ reached UK number 2 in 1979 then becoming one of the most well known Lover’s Rock singers of the time.
Lover’s Rock also had a political element. Being the music of the generation first born here in the UK, facing the growing tide of racist attacks from the police and other attitudes from English residents, it was Lover’s Rock that put their rubber stamp on the culture they were documenting as their experiences in the UK.
The word spread to the Caribbean and artists came over to give their contribution to the genre such as Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Sugar Minott, and later Freddie McGregor who brought hits such as Sugar Minott’s Good Thing Going and Dennis Brown’s Money In My Pocket.
Menelik Shabazz’s Lover’s Rock documentary shows the history with the appearances by artists like Maxi Priest and Peter Hunningale alongside Levi Roots and Angie Lamar.
To watch the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiJof_zx2U
Which leads to the question:
Which music genre best defines the millennial generation?
Let us know your thoughts:
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