The first, definitive history of the genre Lovers Rock by acclaimed reggae historian and journalist, John Masouri
Emerging from Caribbean communities in London in the 1970s, lovers rock is considered the first Black British music genre. Characterized by soulful harmonies and sentimental lyrics centred on romance, often sung by and for teenage girls, the genre offered a soundtrack for closely entwined dancing in dark rooms. Despite its cultural significance, it has often been relegated to the margins of reggae music's history.
A softer offshoot of reggae, it provided a medium through which second-generation British-Caribbean women could express their diasporic identity: one separate from the struggles of their Windrush-era parents and distinct from the militancy and misogyny of Rastafarianism.
Dim the Lights: The Story of UK Lovers Rock is the first, definitive history of the genre by acclaimed reggae historian and journalist, John Masouri. It weaves the narrative of lover's rock through the testimonies of its pioneers: singers, musicians, producers and fans. Featuring interviews from pivotal artists like Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Dennis Bovell, Masouri sheds light on this beloved genre.
