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Lovers Rock, often dubbed 'romantic reggae' is a uniquely British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Live performance, comedy sketches, dance interviews and archive footage shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it. Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands(Police, UB40, Boy George). These influences underline the impact of this music in bridging the multi-cultural gab between second generation Caribbeans and their white English counterparts. The film highlights an important era of British music, social and political history. Artists featured include UB40, Maxi Priest, Aswad, Janet Kay, Dennis Bovell, Carroll Thompson and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Sales Points

• Historic documentary about the subgenre of reggae.

Press Quotes

As A Snapshot of a moment in time, it's hard to beat.

     —Empire

Timely and perfectly balanced.

     —Sight and Sound

Menehik Shabazz, has lovingly excavated the somewhat forgotten 70s subgenre of lover's rock.

     —The Guardian

Not all the interviewees are equally interesting, and an audience unfamiliar with the hits and stars may get antsy during some of the reminiscing. But Mr. Shabazz conveys a love of the music and its culture.

     —Rachel Saltz , New York Times

The Story of Lovers Rock, an unapologetically single-minded appeal for the legacy of this music, is amateurish but appealingly shaggy.

     —Chuck Bowen , Slant Magazine

You can add The Story of Lovers Rock to the short list of must-see, politically-tinged documentaries which shed light on the cultural roots of a lesser-known musical genre, ala Calypso Dreams and Buena Vista Social Club.

     —Kam Williams , AALBC.com

It's the music that matters, and that is put on the screen with real skill and affection.

     —Derek Malcolm , This is London