Lovers Rock (Wackies, 1982) 

The Love Joys were a short-lived female duo based in New York who recorded two albums for Lloyd James' legendary Wackies label. Comprised of cousins Sonia Abel and Claudette Brown, the twosome was one of the few female reggae groups to make any sort of splash, so it's a shame that their unique sound wasn't recorded more. (Nowadays, Abel has teamed with her husband to form the group Natti Love Joys, based in Tennessee.) Their debut Lovers Rock, like all Wackies albums, is short but brimming with a big sound blending roots reggae with old school dancehall and dub. The first two tracks are remakes: Rita Marley's classic "One Draw" and Errol Dunkley's "Black Cinderella" (also covered by Soul Syndicate), here with new lyrics and re-titled "Long Lost Lover." Both songs are solid but straightforward and don't add much to the originals. Much better is the standout is "All I Can Say," a slinky, sultry hip-grinder that's a highlight of the Wackies Sampler Volume 1. Similar in sound is "Stranger," an inferior yet still enjoyable jam. The other two tunes, "Let Me Rock You" and "Chances" are have an old-timey vibe -- even for 1982 -- that would fit right in with the British lovers rock of the '70s. Although there are only seven songs (including a dub), all are extended discomixes that feature the vocal version followed by a dub, creating a grooving, "jammy" feel to keep a slow-winin' party going all night long. That said, only "All I Can Say" and perhapys "Stranger" truly showcase the group's full appeal.