Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’, is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Providing a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets, Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance – known as ‘scrubbing’ – at parties and clubs, and developed into a successful sound with a string of national UK hits, influencing the likes of The Police, Culture Club and UB40.
Shining a light on a forgotten period in British music, social and political history, the recently passed Menelik Shabazz’s debut documentary feature underlines the impact Lovers Rock made in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarised Thatcher’s nation.