Assorted Lovers Rock

Assorted Lovers Rock - Janet Lee-Davis/Deborahe Glasgow/Peter Hunningale

Lovers Rock has often been dismissed by reggae purists as being frothy, poppy and lightweight as well as being dominated by covers of retro soul charts hits. While these accusations certainly bear some weight, particularly the latter, there's also nothing wrong with some poppy, summer reggae. Aswad (in their later era), Maxi Priest and Beres Hammond have made careers out of it. Artists to make the sub-genre their entire career include 

Janet Lee-Davis - Missing You - 1994 

This includes her biggest hit in the irresistible duet with Tipper Irie, Baby, I've Been Missing You, along with other good ones in Girl On The Side, You're Sweet, She's Got Papers and Do You Remember 

Deborahe Glasgow - 1989 

Deborahe Glasgow, who sadly died at only twenty-nine, her most notable album being this eponymous offering   - the highlights being Best Friend, Give Me That Touch, Champion Lover and Perfect Situation 

Peter Hunningale - Mr. Government - 1994 

Then there was the light-voiced Peter Hunningale, who, after several smooth lovers releases exemplified by Time For Love, Oh Honey and the lovely I've Got To Know, went rootsy/dancehall with this one, and tuneful message roots songs like Babylon, War On Babylon and Downing Street Dub. 

All three of these artists were born in London and it should not be underestimated just how big lovers rock was in the black communities in the UK in the eighties and nineties. In the mid-eighties I worked as a teacher in South London and the girls at the school all absolutely loved lovers rock. Regarding analysis of the material, much of it is homogenous - easy going, easy skanking, light beat, tastefully brassy love songs. Indeed, put on a Janet track followed by a Deborahe one and you would be hard pressed to tell which is which, musically and vocally. 

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