1/2. Louisa Marks, “Caught You In a Lie”/ “Six Street”
If you look up UK Lovers Rock in the dictionary, you’ll find Louisa Mark’s 1975 single “Caught in A Lie” in the definition (not a joke thing—look it up here). Like fellow pioneer Caron Wheeler, Mark was only a girl when she became a sensation, recording “Caught You in A Lie”–generally regarded as the very first lover’s rock tune—when she was only 14. Driven by a modulating synth-line fully worthy of a prog-rock opus, the Safari 7” also exemplifies the genre’s departure from the Jamaican blueprint, borrowing arrangements and ideas from Motown and Philly soul for new melodic possibilities. Her other signature tune “Six Sixth Street”–this time with a sublime flute playing off the Ernest Ranglin-esque guitar line—is pure tough love as well.