ub40
UB40 ‘LABOUR OF LOVE IV’ On 8th February UB40 will release ‘Labour Of Love IV’, their first Labour of Love album since 1998’s ‘Labour of Love III’. Someone once claimed UB40 are to reggae what the Beatles and Rolling Stones were to American rhythm and blues and as they release the latest installment of their best-selling Labour Of Love series, the truth of this statement is undeniable. Literally millions of people from across the globe have developed a love for Jamaican music after hearing UB40, and the band’s commitment to their early influences is as strong as ever.
The Labour of Love series began in 1983, with a number one album and number one single (‘Red, Red Wine)’. This was followed in 1989 by LOL II, which spawned a no.4 single (‘Kingston Town’) and two US Billboard Top 10s. Another Top 10 album, LOL III, and single (‘Come Back, Darling’) was released in 1998. ‘Labour Of Love IV’ continues what has become a passion for the band; to share their love of reggae classics, some well-known, some not so, with the public-at-large. Recorded at the band’s Reflex Studios in Birmingham in the Spring 2009, the album comprises 14 tracks. Covers such as Delroy Wilson (‘Close To Me’), John Holt songs (‘I Don’t Want To See You Cry’ and ‘Man Next Door’) and Rocksteady vocal groups the Melodians (‘Get Along Without You Now’) and The Paragons (‘Holiday’) bestow this new album with such an infectious sense of joy, it’s hard to believe it’s the fourth in the series and not the first. UB40, just like other dedicated reggae fans, fervently want such artists – including Theo Beckford (‘Easy Snappin’’), Errol Dunkley (‘You’re Gonna Need Me’), Ken Parker (‘True True True’) and Hopeton Lewis (‘Boom Shacka Lacka’), who also contribute songs to Labour Of Love IV – to receive more recognition, and there’s now every chance of that happening with these mesmerising new versions. American soul stars Smokey Robinson (‘Tracks Of My Tears’), Sam Cooke (‘Bring It On Home To Me’) and Johnny Nash need no introduction here, except these songs were hugely popular within Caribbean communities, and had a lasting impact upon UB40 themselves. Johnny Nash was the first overseas’ act to cover a Bob Marley song and his ‘Cream Puff’ is a little-known gem from the very early seventies, when the Texan singer was being billed as “the King Of Reggae” in England. Robin Campbell saw him perform back then and says the band have wanted to cover Cream Puff for years. Labour Of Love IV is the first to feature another talented Campbell brother, Duncan, on lead vocals. Duncan would have been one of UB40’s vocalists right from the start had he not turned them down to pursue adventures around the world. Usually, when a world-famous band changes their lead singer, the transition isn’t exactly seamless. Duncan was a natural choice however – not only because he’s family but also because he sings with such feeling, like a man who’s come to claim his rightful legacy. Robin, Astro, Norman and Earl also sing lead vocals on various tracks on the album, and such versatility – twinned with UB40’s remarkable consistency – make it another wonderful addition to the series.
Tracklisting:
1. Don’t Want To See You Cry
2. Get Along Without You Now
3. Bring It On Home To Me
4. Cream Puff
5. Easy Snappin’
6. Holiday
7. Close To Me
8. Man Next Door
9. Tracks Of My Tears
10. True, True, True
11. Boom Shacka Lacka
12. You’re Gonna Need Me
13. A Love I Can Feel
14. Baby Why
‘Get Along Without You Now’ – release date 25th January
2010 Tour Dates:
31st May – Bank’s Stadium, Walsall FC, UK
9th June – Planet.tt Bank Austria Halle, Gasometer, Austria
18th June – Colosseum, Endschede, Holland
19th June – Indian Summer Festival, Broek op Langedijk, Holland
26th June – Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire
Further dates to be added shortly.
