This Lovers Rock album has been unavailable for the past 30 years on CD. It includes numerous UK chart hits, and by the later half of the 1970’s Lovers Rock was in full swing. This style of Reggae attracted the attention of minor record companies around the world and it was Dennis ‘Blackbeard’ Bovell, a musician and songwriter of considerable talent. Dennis initially was a member of British Reggae group Matumbi and moving on Bovell’s high production skills were noticed by Trojan Records who took him in hand in 1977 along with singer Marilyn Chinn. She had been discovered by Bovell and later recorded as Marie Pierre and the ‘Love Affair’ album was released by Trojan Records. Now over 45 years later Cherry Red Records have packaged the album onto CD and we now take a look at a selection of the tracks.
1. CHOOSE ME (LP Mix). This is a mid-tempo sound and is Lovers Rock at its best. Marie sounds young on this and is joined by a female chorus from time-to-time. The rhythm track comes straight and one ends up with the feet-tapping. Released on the Trojan label (7″) 1979. 3. I BELIEVE. This is not the song that has been recorded many times over the years but a mid-tempo classic Lovers Rock Reggae sound with more of the same beautiful Marie Pierre vocal. This was only released as an album track, this album to be exact on the original release and various re-releases. Released in UK on Trojan label in 1979. 5. NOTHING GAINED (FROM LOVING YOU) (LP Mix). This comes faster than the previous tracks and has Marie doing a fine vocal over another straight backing track. The chorus is again present and we end up with another top-notch Lovers Rock Reggae sound. Released in UK on Attack and Trojan labels in 1979. 7. ROWING (ROW YOUR BOAT). This is probably not the song one would expect it to be, it is a mid-tempo sound with Marie again being joined by a female chorus. Nothing special about the rhythm track although it does have some fine drumming by Jah Bunny and is very catchy. Again the track was only released as an album track. 9. WALK AWAY. Another top Lovers Rock Reggae sound and probably the stand-out track. It floats along with a mid-tempo rhythm track and more chorus is heard from time-to-time. 13. CAN’T GO THROUGH (WITH LIFE) (12″ Mix). A faster slice of top-notch Lovers Rock Reggae with more of the same on the vocal from Marie, good vocal that is. Chorus again and some organ work on the rhythm track. Still a fresh sounding number to this day, has some dubbing towards the end of the track. This can also be found on the ‘Trojan Lovers Rock Box Set’ from 2005. 14. SOMBODY ELSIE’S MAN (12″ Mix). This has a slightly heavier rhythm track and is mid-tempo. The backing comes straight and compliments the vocal talents of Marie Pierre, again some fine drumming from Jah Bunny. Only ever an album track. 17. OUR TUNE (12″ Mix). This is a slower sound with another stand-out vocal. Some percussion on the intro and from time-to-time until it moves into a dub style towards the end. This floats along and if there is such a style it is easy listening Lovers Rock Reggae and a fine way to conclude this disc.
IN CONCLUSION
This is a quality collection of Lovers Rock Reggae, only 10 of the tracks appeared on the original album/CD. This is the only album recorded by Marie Pierre and one wonders why as after listening to this and her vocal talents it is a shame that her recording career was so short. For the record the original album was recorded in the UK and the musicians used included, Jah Bunny (drums), Dennis Bovell (guitar, organ, synthesizer,) John Kpiaye (lead and rhythm guitar). Overall it has to be one of the best Lovers Rock Reggae albums/CD ever recorded and at £11 49p is good value, especially if you are a lover of this style of Reggae.