This Is Lovers Rock Riddim – Venture Records

Out of the early-’80s lovers rock pocket, this one feels very much of its moment: a lean two-track Venture Records set from 1980, with Eargasm’s “This Is Lovers Rock” leading the charge and P Pop And Beagle answering with “Name That Tune. ” The title cut has that smooth, late-night lilt the style was built on, but there’s a little more bite in the rhythm than the name might suggest, which is probably why it stuck around in UK reggae circles. Eargasm were a vocal trio, and the tune reportedly held No. 1 in the UK reggae chart for four weeks, which gives the record a bit more weight than a casual showcase. P Pop And Beagle keep the mood in the same lane, just with a looser, cheekier turn, and the whole thing lands like a small but telling snapshot of lovers rock in motion, just two cuts and done.