This essential collection documents the explosion of lovers' rock - a mix of American soul and reggae - in Britain in 1975, and its reign until the early 90s. There are a number of familiar tracks here, like Winston Curtis' 1984 version of Be Thankful For What You've Got (also covered by Massive Attack in 1991) and Eva Smart's take on Upside Down, as well as other gems like opener La Famille's All Night Long, which sets the tone of the 25-track album as it bops, lopes and grooves along with a cool dignity and elegance.
One of the best things about many of these songs is that they are songs within songs, so once the main part of the track has finished they drift off into another, even more exquisite, section.
So take Charmaine Burnett's seven-minute head-nodder Make It With You which starts out as a soulful serenade before giving way to a chinking dub reggae horn-infused groove.
And then there's the Cool Notes' inspired combination of soulful James Bond-theme dramatics, fruity synthesizer, and pumping bass on People Make the World Go Round.
But it's the earliest track here, Louisa Marks' Caught You In a Lie from 1975, which is the sweetest and dreamiest of the bunch and a true compilation highlight.
