by Susie Salva
For more than 25 years, UB40 has been one of the world’s premiere pop-reggae acts, with several international chart-topping singles and global sales totaling more than 70 million albums. This fall, Virgin/EMI Records releases “UB40: Greatest Hits”, a new CD and digital collection of 21 of their top hits and standout tracks spanning the influential group’s career. UB40 touches on themes of heartache, break-up, and reconciliation. They enhance their reggae-splashed songs by using a very effective horn section. This new album has all the hits they have been known for and every thing fans are waiting to hear.
Because UB40 were from the West Midlands and they were a large multicultural group playing music of Jamaican origin, UB40 were initially thought to be a part of the two-tone music scene, which had burst out of nearby Coventry. Rooted in Caribbean aka, rock steady and reggae, this two-tone style was popularized by these Coventry bands including The Specials and The Selecter. Turns out UB40 made it clear they were not part of that movement while they were part of the same social and political tendency, their musical approach was quite different. Their sound was more sophisticated and sultry.
Included on “UB40: Greatest Hits” are the group’s first #1 smash single, 1984’s “Red Red Wine” and their reggae-tinged hit versions of “Here I Am (Come and Take Me), (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love with You” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” Also included in this outstanding disc are two songs featuring Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders performing Sonny & Cher’s mega hit, “I Got You Babe” and “Breakfast In Bed.” “Swing Low”, the official anthem for the England rugby team’s triumphant 2003 World Cup campaign in Australia, was the group’s 49th chart single.
After many years performing live and developing a name for themselves, UB40’s fortunes changed at the beginning of 1980, when they were asked to support The Pretenders on a UK tour. The cover art for UB40’s first album, released that year, was a reproduction of the UK’s unemployment benefit card, with the title, “Signing Off” rubber-stamped in red. It referred to “signing off” the dole and getting a job, both an acknowledgement of the launch of the band and a celebration of their new status.
In 1983, UB40 released the album, “Labour of Love”, a direct tribute to the musicians who had inspired and influenced them. The phenomenally popular, “Red Red Wine” was the album’s first single and it went straight to #1 on the UK charts upon its release, remaining on the British charts for two years. In 1984, the song became UB40’s first U.S. #1 hit and continued on to be a worldwide sensation. Their breezy and carefree attitude transcends throughout their music.
For more on UB40 go to www.ub40-dep.com.
