UB40 | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Named after a British unemployment benefit form, pop-reggae band UB40 were formed in a welfare line in 1978, and their multiracial lineup reflected the working-class community their members came from. The band consolidated its street credibility with political topics appealing to dissatisfied youth, and got a boost from fans of the waning 2-Tone ska revival movement. Brothers Robin (lead guitar) and Ali Campbell (guitar, lead vocals) formed the centerpiece of the group, along with Earl Falconer, saxophonist Brian Travers, drummer James "Jimmy" Brown, and percussionist Norman Hassan. The group began gigging in 1979, scoring an opening gig with the Pretenders by the end of the year. By 1980, UB40 added keyboardist Michael (Mickey) Virtue and toaster Terence Wilson (aka Astro), rounding out their initial lineup. Their first single, "Food for Thought," reached the U.K. Top Ten in 1980, beginning a long streak of chart appearances. Signing Off and Present Arms were big sellers in Britain, if not America, and addressed the political issues of the day in songs like "One in Ten," a Top Ten hit blasting Margaret Thatcher for the countrys unemployment rate. Released in 1983, Labour of Love, an album of reggae cover songs, gave the group its first chart album in America and first number one U.K. hit with Neil Diamonds "Red Red Wine." Several albums of original material sold well in the U.K., but only respectably in the U.S., where the groups biggest hit was a Top 30 cover of Sonny & Chers "I Got You Babe" featuring the Pretenders Chrissie Hynde. In 1988, the group performed "Red Red Wine" at a Nelson Mandela tribute concert, and a Phoenix radio station trotted the single out for a second go-round. Listener response was far more enthusiastic, and "Red Red Wine" reentered the charts and went all the way to the top. Finally having a hit on the path toward conquering the lucrative American market, UB40 responded with another covers album, Labour of Love II, which produced Top Ten singles with versions of the Temptations "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and Al Greens "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)." The group scored a huge hit in America with Elvis Presleys "Cant Help Falling in Love," which was initially featured in the Sharon Stone film Sliver and spent seven weeks at number one. By this time, UB40 had largely abandoned their trademark left-wing politics and were concentrating more on perfecting their reggae oldies covers than their original material; however, the gimmick resulted in huge sales figures in both the U.S. and U.K., with Promises and Lies reaching number six in the States and number one in Britain. In the spring of 1998, UB40 released Presents the Dancehall Album in the U.K. A third Labour of Love collection followed a year later. In fall 2002, UB40 bounced back with yet another collection. The Fathers of Reggae, which appeared on Virgin in November, highlighted the bands roots in reggae in a selection of classics. In 2003, the band scored a major hit in the U.K. when its version of the spiritual "Swing Low" with the multicultural choir United Colours of Sound became the official anthem for the 2003 English Rugby team. The song was featured on the 2003 album Homegrown. As their 2005 album, Who You Fighting For?, was being released, an announcement was made that the band would be working with Birminghams Repertory Theatre to stage a new musical in the spring of 2006. Two years later, their album Twentyfourseven became their last with vocalist Ali Campbell and keyboardist Michael Virtue. UB40s 2010 release, Labour of Love IV, introduced Alis brother Duncan as the groups new lead singer. They also released a remastered two-CD/DVD version of Signing Off as a 30th Anniversary Special Edition, which the band toured across America and Europe. In 2011, Robin Campbell, Brian Travers, Terence Wilson, Norman Hassan, and Jimmy Brown started bankruptcy proceedings against the existing group over debts accrued by their label, DEP International. Alongside former singer Ali Campbell, they were declared bankrupt that year. In 2013, they released their 18th studio album. Titled Getting Over the Storm, it featured covers of country music songs by the likes of Willie Nelson, George Jones, Randy Travis, and more. Astro left the band after release of Getting Over the Storm; hed join forces with Ali Campbell and Mickey Virtue in a separate trio in 2016, calling themselves UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey. Meanwhile, UB40 continued to tour, and in 2018 they celebrated their 40-year career with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall and a new album called For the Many. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 41 Title: The Singles Album Released: 1980 Tracks: 9 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Food for Thought (?) 2 King (?) 3 My Way of Thinking (?) 4 I Think Its Going to Rain Today (?) 5 Dream a Lie (?) 6 Tyler (?) 7 Adella (?) 8 Little by Little (?) 9 The Earth Dies Screaming (12" version) (?) |
| The Singles Album : Allmusic album Review : UB40 first came to prominence in England with their debut Signing Off and follow-up Present Arms. Their early-80s update of rocksteady and reggae music was somewhat akin to the contemporary offerings of other Jamacian revivalists like the Specials and the English Beat, but it had more of an authentic reggae sound than what was being offered by the others -- albeit with some traditional pop song structure. Of course, by the time of 1983s Labour of Love -- a homage to their Jamacian musical heroes featuring covers of classic sides -- the band broke globally, only to pursue fame by progressively watering down their rocksteady and reggae roots. This fine collection recalls the bands halcyon days of 1980-82 with a handful of highlights from Signing Off and a few tracks from the EP The Earth Dies Screaming. Including tasty horn charts, some fine dub flourishes, and solid songs, the nine tracks here include such standouts as "King," "Tyler," "I Think Its Going to Rain," and the Jamaican jazz instrumental "Adella." A fine introduction to the bands early prime. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 41 Title: Signing Off Released: 1980-08-29 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:59:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tyler (05:53) 2 King (04:32) 3 12 Bar (04:24) 4 Burden of Shame (07:00) 5 Adella (03:27) 6 I Think It’s Going to Rain Today (03:46) 7 25% (03:34) 8 Food for Thought (04:12) 9 Little by Little (03:44) 10 Signing Off (04:28) 1 Madam Medusa (12:56) 2 Strange Fruit (04:05) 3 Reefer Madness (05:07) 4 My Way of Thinking (12″ version) (06:50) 5 I Think It’s Going to Rain Today (12″ version) (07:30) 6 The Earth Dies Screaming (12″ version) (08:20) 7 Dream a Lie (12″ version) (07:53) 8 Food for Thought (04:47) 9 25% (BBC radio One John Peel session 12-12-1979) (04:03) 10 King (BBC radio One John Peel session 12-12-1979) (05:36) 11 I Think Its Going to Rain Today (BBC radio One Kid Jensen session 11-02-1980) (04:40) 12 My Way of Thinking (BBC radio One Kid Jensen session 11-02-1980) (02:54) |
| Signing Off : Allmusic album Review : So ubiquitous was UB40s grip on the pop-reggae market that it may have been difficult for younger fans to comprehend just how their arrival shook up the British musical scene. They appeared just as 2 Tone had peaked and was beginning its slide towards oblivion. Not that it mattered, as few would try to shoehorn the band into that suit. However, the group was no more comfortable within the U.K. reggae axis of Steel Pulse, Aswad, and Matumbi. Their rhythms may have been reggae-based, their music Jamaican-inspired, but UB40 had such an original take on the genre that all comparisons were moot. Even their attack on the singles chart was unusual, as they smacked three double-A-sided singles into the Top Ten in swift succession. By rights, the second 45 should have acted as a taster for their album (it didnt, coming several months too soon), while the third should have been a spinoff (it wasnt, boasting two new songs entirely). Regardless, both sides of their debut single -- the roots-rocking indictment of politicians refusal to relieve famine on "Food for Thought" and the dreamy tribute to Martin Luther "King" -- were included, as well as their phenomenal cover of Randy Newmans "I Think Its Going to Rain Today" off their second single. The new material was equally strong. The moody roots-fired "Tyler," which kicks off the set, is a potent condemnation of the U.S. judicial system, while its stellar dub, "25%," appears later in the set. The smoky Far Eastern-flavored "Burden" explores the dual tugs of national pride and shame over Britains oppressive past (and present). If that was a thoughtful number, "Little by Little" was a blatant call for class warfare. Of course, Ali Campbell never raised his voice -- he didnt need to. His words were his sword, and the creamier and sweeter his delivery, the deeper they cut. Their music was just as revolutionary, their sound unlike anything else on either island, from deep dubs shot through with jazzy sax to the bright and breezy instrumental "12 Bar," with its splendid loose groove transmuted later in the set to the jazzier and smokier "Adella." Meanwhile, "Food" slams into the dance clubs, and "King" floats to the heavens. Its hard to believe this is the same UB40 that later topped the U.K. charts with the likes of "Red Red Wine" and "Ive Got You Babe." Their fire was dampened quickly, but on Signing Off it blazed high, still accessible to the pop market, but so edgy that even those who are sure theres nothing about the group to admire will change their tune instantly. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 41 Title: Present Arms Released: 1981-05-29 Tracks: 10 Duration: 47:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Present Arms (04:08) 2 Sardonicus (04:29) 3 Don’t Let It Pass You By (07:45) 4 Wild Cat (03:01) 5 One in Ten (04:32) 6 Don’t Slow Down (04:28) 7 Silent Witness (04:15) 8 Lambs Bread (04:48) 1 Don’t Walk on the Grass (05:07) 2 Dr. X (05:20) |
| Present Arms : Allmusic album Review : The popular perception of UB40 as a band who cling to the coattails of true reggae artists is partially merited, given their 90s karaoke-quality interpretations of popular standards in a Jamaican rub-a-dub style. But with albums such as their debut and this, admittedly a more uneven effort, their affection for the music was self-evidently genuine and generally well observed. Their conscience-driven lyrics ("One in Ten" especially) are heartfelt and convincing, though Ali Campbells Rastabrummyfarian voice takes some getting used to. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 41 Title: UB44 Released: 1982 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 So Here I Am (03:53) 2 I Wont Close My Eyes (remix) (03:45) 3 Forget the Cost (04:20) 4 Love Is All Is Alright (remix) (04:54) 5 The Piper Calls the Tune (03:49) 6 The Key (05:03) 7 Dont Do the Crime (04:11) 8 Folitician (remix) (04:09) 9 The Prisoner (05:52) |
| UB44 : Allmusic album Review : The popular perception of UB40 as a band who cling to the coattails of true reggae artists is partially merited, given their 90s karaoke-quality interpretations of popular standards in a Jamaican rub-a-dub style. But with albums such as their debut and this, admittedly a more uneven effort, their affection for the music was self-evidently genuine and generally well observed. Their conscience-driven lyrics ("One in Ten" especially) are heartfelt and convincing, though Ali Campbells Rastabrummyfarian voice takes some getting used to. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 41 Title: Labour of Love Released: 1983 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 2 Keep on Moving (04:37) 3 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 4 Sweet Sensation (03:41) 5 Johnny Too Bad (04:59) 6 Red Red Wine (05:20) 7 Guilty (03:16) 8 She Caught the Train (03:16) 9 Version Girl (03:27) 10 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) |
| Labour of Love : Allmusic album Review : A victim of both overexposure and embracement from privileged hedonists around the globe, UB40s Labour of Love is still a near perfect album, one filled with warmth and an infectious love of the music its covering. Then theres that reggae version of "Red Red Wine" that spills out of yachts, frat parties, soirees by the pool, water parks, and just about anywhere there are sun-seeking tourists. Delivered with a drunken sway, the bands cover of the Neil Diamond favorite also features a new toasted/rapped break in the middle, which comes courtesy of UB40 MC Astro and adds so much mirth and fun to the number that Diamond lifted it for his own live show. Even if omnipresence has since made it pop-reggaes "Dont Worry Be Happy," the U.K. crews version is in the Jamaican tradition of covering sweet, soothing tunes that pre-date lovers rock, plus the rest of this all-cover-versions album sticks with the classic reggae songbook, as even the Impressions "Keep on Moving" is done in a style that honors the 1973 recording from Bob Marley & the Wailers. If "Red Red Wine" is effortless almost to a fault, Jimmy Cliffs "Many Rivers to Cross" is performed with full heart and can rock the souls foundation, while "Johnny Too Bad" is just spiky enough to bring reminders of the groups birth in the time and land of post-punk. Everything else is A- at worst, and the end-to-end LP flow is classic while recontextualizing "Red Red Wine" for the better. Put it on at a party and spill beer on it if you must, because the resilient Labour of Love is true sweetness and light. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 41 Title: Geffery Morgan Released: 1984-10-16 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Riddle Me (03:57) 2 As Always You Were Wrong Again (03:37) 3 If It Happens Again (03:43) 4 D.U.B. (04:51) 5 The Pillow (03:25) 6 Nkomo-a-Go-Go (03:06) 7 Seasons (03:47) 8 You’re Not an Army (03:46) 9 I’m Not Fooled So Easily (04:13) 10 Your Eyes Were Open (04:59) |
| Geffery Morgan : Allmusic album Review : UB40 was faced with following up the surprisingly successful covers album Labour Of Love (which had topped the U.K. chart, and become their U.S. chart debut) with this album of original material. Their own songs were good, but no match for what then seemed a one-of-a-kind collection. "If It Happens Again," which went to Number Nine in Britain, sounded like a song by The English Beat, while the second single, "Riddle Me" (at Number 59), was a deeper reggae groove tune. It was a good set, but without a classic like "Red, Red Wine," it suffered from a certain anonymity, especially in the U.S. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 41 Title: More UB40 Music Released: 1985 Tracks: 8 Duration: 59:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Burden of Shame (06:31) 2 I Think Its Going to Rain Today (12" version) (07:31) 3 Madame Medusa (12:53) 4 My Way of Thinking (12" version) (06:54) 5 Tyler (05:17) 6 Dream a Lie (12″ version) (07:53) 7 Food for Thought (04:09) 8 The Earth Dies Screaming (12" version) (08:17) |
| More UB40 Music : Allmusic album Review : This two-LP set, released in Europe, showcases early UB40 in extended form, featuring the 12-inch versions of such songs as "I Think Its Going To Rain Today" and "The Earth Dies Screaming." | ||
 | Album: 8 of 41 Title: Little Baggariddim Released: 1985 Tracks: 6 Duration: 23:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I Got You Babe (03:14) 2 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 3 One In Ten (04:23) 4 Mi Spliff (04:02) 5 Hip Hop Lyrical Robot (03:38) 6 I Got You Babe (Dub Version) (04:08) |
 | Album: 9 of 41 Title: Baggariddim Released: 1985 Tracks: 13 Duration: 48:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The King Step MK. 1 (03:33) 2 The Buzz Feeling (03:41) 3 Lyric Officer MK. 2 (03:16) 4 Demonstrate (03:55) 5 Two in a One MK. 1 (03:19) 6 Hold Your Position MK. 3 (03:56) 7 Hip Hop Lyrical Robot (04:22) 8 Style MK. 4 (04:02) 9 Fight Fe Come In MK. 2 (03:25) 10 Vs Version (03:25) 11 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 12 I Got You Babe (03:08) 13 Mi Spliff (04:01) |
| Baggariddim : Allmusic album Review : Baggariddim combines a thoroughly appealing three-song EP, highlighted by the catchy "Dont Break My Heart" and a duet with Chrissie Hynde on Sonny & Chers "I Got You Babe," with dub mixes of cuts from Labour of Love and Geffery Morgan, which feature guest toasters on almost every song. The dubs are among the strongest the band have ever released, emphasizing their reggae roots, and the new material is melodic and engaging, making Baggariddim a strong follow-up to two of their finest albums. [Baggariddim was trimmed to the three originals and two dub mixes for its initial U.S. release, Little Baggariddim. In 1997, the full album was released in America for the first time.] | ||
 | Album: 10 of 41 Title: The UB40 File Released: 1985 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:09:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Tyler (05:51) 2 King (04:35) 3 12 Bar (04:24) 4 Burden Of Shame (06:29) 1 Adella (03:27) 2 I Think Its Going To Rain Today (03:41) 3 25% (03:31) 4 Food For Thought (04:01) 5 Little By Little (03:44) 6 Signing Off (04:25) 1 Madam Medusa (12:53) 2 Strange Fruit (04:05) 3 Reefer Madness (05:08) 1 My Way Of Thinking (03:05) 2 The Earth Dies Screaming (?) 3 Dream A Lie (?) |
| The UB40 File : Allmusic album Review : Now this is what we want: most of UB40s debut album Signing Off, plus the 12" single that was included with initial copies of the set, coupled with their first three double A-sided singles. So far removed is the groups earliest work from their later sound that even the most culturally minded of reggae fans will want this record in their collection. UB40s later albums rarely equaled the strength of their singles, even as their later singles lost much of the bite and creativity of their predecessors. Thus, this set captures them at their most militant and experimental. The trio of singles -- "Food for Thought"/"King", "My Way of Thinking"/"I Think Its Going to Rain", and "The Earth Dies Screaming"/"Dream Is a Lie" -- reveal the inner workings of the group, as they play with styles, shifting back and forth from more Jamaica-fied sounds to almost breezy pop, winding into smokey jazz clubs, onto the dancefloor, and off into the dreamiest of milieus. On their full length, the band furthered their musical adventures with both vocal tracks and groove-filled instrumentals and dub. Thematically, the songs were even harder hitting than the singles, encompassing calls to class warfare to the defense of young Gary "Tyler", imprisoned for life in Louisiana. The horrors of the American south obviously haunted the band, and they return to its magnolia scented climes for "Strange Fruit", a terrifying expose of lynching. "Fruit" was one of the trio of songs on the aforementioned 12", along with the driving instrumental "Reefer Madness", and the epic "Madam Medusa", where the mythological Medusa stalks the roots-reggae groove across the 12+ minute track. If all you know of UB40 is their later hits or Labour of Love series, UB40 will come as a revelation, commercially accessible, but roaring with militant fire, awash in creativity and honed with their desire to bring reggae into a new musical world of their own invention. In all that they succeeded brilliantly. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 41 Title: Rat in the Kitchen Released: 1986-07-28 Tracks: 9 Duration: 43:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All I Want to Do (05:33) 2 You Could Meet Somebody (04:52) 3 Tell It Like It Is (03:36) 4 The Elevator (03:24) 5 Watchdogs (04:17) 6 Rat in Mi Kitchen (06:58) 7 Looking Down at My Reflection (03:27) 8 Don’t Blame Me (03:36) 9 Sing Our Own Song (07:20) |
| Rat in the Kitchen : Allmusic album Review : In the U.K., UB40 were major stars, and this album was their sixth Top Ten hit, featuring the singles "Sing Your Own Song," "All I Want to Do," and "Rat in Mi Kitchen." In the U.S., the group remained a developing act with a modest following, but they were only able to score a hit by covering a previous hit like "I Got You, Babe." Rat in the Kitchen did nothing to change that, although it was, as usual, a tuneful collection of reggae. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 41 Title: The Best of UB40, Volume One Released: 1987-10-26 Tracks: 10 Duration: 36:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Food for Thought (04:11) 2 One in Ten (04:32) 3 Red Red Wine (03:01) 4 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 5 If It Happens Again (03:43) 6 I Got You Babe (03:08) 7 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 8 Sing Our Own Song (04:07) 9 Rat in Mi Kitchen (03:06) 10 Breakfast in Bed (03:16) |
 | Album: 13 of 41 Title: 1980-1983 Released: 1988 Tracks: 10 Duration: 43:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 King (04:34) 2 Food for Thought (04:11) 3 Present Arms (04:13) 4 One in Ten (04:35) 5 Silent Witness (04:10) 6 So Here I Am (03:57) 7 I Wont Close My Eyes (03:43) 8 Dont Do the Crime (04:16) 9 Dubmobile (03:46) 10 Ive Got Mine (extended version) (06:00) |
 | Album: 14 of 41 Title: UB40 Released: 1988-07-11 Tracks: 11 Duration: 42:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dance With the Devil (05:43) 2 Come Out to Play (03:15) 3 Breakfast in Bed (03:20) 4 Youre Always Pulling Me Down (04:02) 5 I Would Do for You (05:34) 6 Cause It Isnt True (02:57) 7 Where Did I Go Wrong (03:52) 8 Contaminated Minds (04:48) 9 Matter of Time (03:22) 10 Music So Nice (03:41) 11 Dance With the Devil (reprise) (02:16) |
| UB40 : Allmusic album Review : UB40 was the first indication that the band was abandoning the political inclinations of their earlier work and concentrating solely on pop-reggae. Of course, pop informed all of their albums since Labour of Love, but on UB40, the group concentrates solely on the grooves, from the instrumental "Dance with the Devil" to a sultry cover of "Breakfast in Bed," featuring Chrissie Hynde on vocals. Even though the album and all of its mellow grooves are thoroughly enjoyable, its hard not to long for something a little deeper, whether its the tributes of Labour of Love or the edgy Rat in the Kitchen. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 41 Title: Labour of Love II Released: 1989-11-01 Tracks: 14 Duration: 52:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:16) 2 Tears from My Eyes (03:50) 3 Groovin (03:50) 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 5 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 6 Singer Man (03:53) 7 Kingston Town (03:48) 8 Baby (03:21) 9 Wedding Day (03:11) 10 Sweet Cherrie (03:17) 11 Stick by Me (03:44) 12 Just Another Girl (03:34) 13 Homely Girl (03:24) 14 Impossible Love (05:12) |
| Labour of Love II : Allmusic album Review : A second swing at the all-cover version formula, Labour of Love II doesnt even come close to the lively original. Its encouraging to see a more interesting set of selections and it would lead one to think that the album isnt a contrived cash-in. Too bad the band falls prey to the same antiseptic digital production that was marginalizing much of the dancehall scene. Labour of Love II downplays the bands driving horn section in favor of sterile keyboards and electronic percussion replaces acoustic. Covers of R&B chestnuts "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" are enjoyable enough, but the band has a harder time adding much to the reggae-sourced numbers. Only the Heptones wonderful "Baby" gets a decent workout, with the rest only serving as reminders of how well the originals were written. It would take the band four years to return to the studio, perhaps an indication of the fatigue and doldrums affecting this album. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 41 Title: Labour of Love, Parts I + II Released: 1991 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:31:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 2 Keep on Moving (04:37) 3 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 4 Sweet Sensation (03:41) 5 Johnny Too Bad (04:59) 6 Red Red Wine (05:20) 7 Guilty (03:16) 8 She Caught the Train (03:16) 9 Version Girl (03:27) 10 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) 1 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:16) 2 Tears from My Eyes (03:50) 3 Groovin (03:50) 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 5 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 6 Singer Man (03:53) 7 Kingston Town (03:48) 8 Baby (03:21) 9 Wedding Day (03:11) 10 Sweet Cherrie (03:17) 11 Stick by Me (03:44) 12 Just Another Girl (03:34) 13 Homely Girl (03:24) 14 Impossible Love (05:12) |
 | Album: 17 of 41 Title: Promises and Lies Released: 1993-07-12 Tracks: 11 Duration: 47:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 C’est la vie (04:31) 2 Desert Sand (04:48) 3 Promises and Lies (03:38) 4 Bring Me Your Cup (05:41) 5 Higher Ground (04:21) 6 Reggae Music (04:05) 7 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 8 Now and Then (03:40) 9 Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be (04:01) 10 It’s a Long Long Way (04:29) 11 Sorry (04:27) |
| Promises and Lies : Allmusic album Review : Carried by the hit "Cant Help Falling in Love," Promises and Lies finishes UB40s transition from a reggae band to an adult-contemporary band that plays reggae-pop. Fans of the single will be satisfied by Promises and Lies, but older fans will find the whole affair rather dismaying. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 41 Title: The Best of UB40, Volume Two Released: 1995-10-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Where Did I Go Wrong? (03:47) 2 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:02) 3 Kingston Town (03:48) 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 5 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 6 Higher Ground (04:21) 7 Bring Me Your Cup (05:41) 8 Reggae Music (04:05) 9 Superstition (05:19) 10 Until My Dying Day (03:54) |
 | Album: 19 of 41 Title: The Dancehall Album Released: 1998-04-27 Tracks: 13 Duration: 52:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Magic Carpet (03:56) 2 Force Ripe (03:15) 3 Smile for Me (04:33) 4 Waw Waw Waw (03:47) 5 Laddy Bay (04:11) 6 More Opportunity (04:20) 7 Oh No Baby Dont Go (04:31) 8 Love That I Need (03:51) 9 More Love (04:04) 10 Nuff Love (03:48) 11 Who (04:18) 12 Hills and Valley (03:57) 13 No Stray (03:29) |
| The Dancehall Album : Allmusic album Review : Shaking up their self-consciously mature pop-reggae formula, UB40 hired several of Jamaicas top vocalists to toast on UB40 Presents the Dancehall Album. Its as legit as any other dancehall albums, and in many ways, its even more enjoyable, since this showcases a number of fine vocalists on one record. UB40 fades into the background, offering sympathetic, supple support for the toasters. The result is their most authentic reggae album in years, and possibly their best album of the 90s. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 41 Title: Labour of Love III Released: 1998-09-21 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:03:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Holly Holy (03:35) 2 Its My Delight (03:57) 3 Come Back Darling (03:28) 4 Never Let You Go (03:18) 5 Soul Rebel (03:55) 6 My Best Girl (04:10) 7 Good Ambition (02:22) 8 The Train Is Coming (04:18) 9 Blood and Fire (03:59) 10 Mr. Fix It (03:23) 11 Stay a Little Bit Longer (02:52) 12 Someone Like You (04:52) 13 The Time Has Come (04:55) 14 Crying Over You (03:58) 15 Legalise It (09:53) |
| Labour of Love III : Allmusic album Review : Sadly unable to escape the golden handcuffs of their 80s hit Labour of Love, the reggae-pop outfit tries to regain some of the glimmer of their former popularity with this third installment of their most successful album. Perhaps most pathetic is their cover of Neil Diamonds "Holly Holy" ("Hey, "Red Red Wine" was a mega-smash. Lets do Neil again!"). The rest of the disc is peppered with more requisite covers of skanking standards like Peter Toshs "Legalize It" and Marleys "Soul Rebel." Its all pleasant, but terribly predictable. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 41 Title: The Very Best of UB40: 1980–2000 Released: 2000-10-23 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:17:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Red Red Wine (03:01) 2 Kingston Town (03:48) 3 Higher Ground (04:21) 4 King (04:35) 5 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 6 I Got You Babe (03:08) 7 Come Back Darling (03:28) 8 One in Ten (04:32) 9 The Earth Dies Screaming (04:38) 10 Watchdogs (04:17) 11 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 12 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 13 Sing Our Own Song (04:07) 14 Tell Me Is It True (03:24) 15 Rat in Mi Kitchen (03:06) 16 Bring Me Your Cup (04:09) 17 Light My Fire (03:47) 18 If It Happens Again (03:43) 19 Food for Thought (04:11) 20 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) |
| The Very Best of UB40: 1980–2000 : Allmusic album Review : The British version of The Very Best of UB40 1980-2000 offers a large collection of songs that are often associated with the group ("Red Red Wine") and many that later-period fans may not be familiar with. Although the album may not be complete, there is enough quality material to make this an excellent way for casual fans to buy much of the essential tracks from the band. [This disc has little in common with the American release that shares the same title.] | ||
 | Album: 22 of 41 Title: Cover Up Released: 2001-10-22 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:00:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rudie (04:27) 2 Sparkle of My Eyes (04:12) 3 Really (04:15) 4 The Day I Broke the Law (03:27) 5 Let Me Know (04:19) 6 Cover Up (03:56) 7 Walk on Me Land (05:39) 8 Something More Than This (04:44) 9 Everytime (03:27) 10 Im on the Up (03:13) 11 Look at Me (04:16) 12 Since I Met You Lady (03:15) 13 Walked in the Rain (05:57) 14 Write Off the Debt (05:06) |
| Cover Up : Allmusic album Review : Sadly unable to escape the golden handcuffs of their 80s hit Labour of Love, the reggae-pop outfit tries to regain some of the glimmer of their former popularity with this third installment of their most successful album. Perhaps most pathetic is their cover of Neil Diamonds "Holly Holy" ("Hey, "Red Red Wine" was a mega-smash. Lets do Neil again!"). The rest of the disc is peppered with more requisite covers of skanking standards like Peter Toshs "Legalize It" and Marleys "Soul Rebel." Its all pleasant, but terribly predictable. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 41 Title: Fathers of Reggae Released: 2002-08-19 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:02:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 You Could Meet Somebody (feat. The Mighty Diamonds) (05:01) 2 Youre Always Pulling Me Down (feat. Freddie McGregor) (04:21) 3 Bring Me Your Cup (feat. Gregory Isaacs) (04:45) 4 Silent Witness (feat. Brent Dowe) (04:22) 5 Always There (feat. Honey Boy) (03:47) 6 I Love It When You Smile (feat. Alton Ellis) (04:18) 7 Dont Do the Crime (feat. Jackie Robinson) (04:06) 8 Watchdogs (feat. Max Romeo) (04:22) 9 Love Is All Is Alright (feat. Bob Andy) (05:08) 10 The Earth Dies Screaming (feat. Ken Boothe) (05:02) 11 Dont Slow Down (feat. Winston Groovy) (04:40) 12 Higher Ground (feat. Leroy Sibbles) (03:53) 13 The Pillow (feat. John Holt) (03:40) 14 C’est la vie (04:31) |
 | Album: 24 of 41 Title: The Very Best of 1980-2002 Released: 2002-09 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:17:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Couvre La (03:58) 2 Red Red Wine (03:01) 3 Kingston Town (03:50) 4 Higher Ground (feat. Leroy Sibbles) (03:53) 5 King (04:34) 6 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 7 I Got You Babe (03:08) 8 One in Ten (04:33) 9 The Earth Dies Screaming (feat. Ken Boothe) (05:02) 10 Watchdogs (feat. Max Romeo) (04:22) 11 Dont Break My Heart (03:50) 12 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 13 Sing Our Own Song (04:00) 14 Tell Me Its True (03:25) 15 Rat in Mi Kitchen (03:06) 16 Bring Me Your Cup (04:09) 17 If It Happens Again (03:43) 18 Food for Thought (04:08) 19 Many Rivers to Cross (04:32) 20 Dont Forget to Smell the Roses (03:22) |
 | Album: 25 of 41 Title: Labour of Love I II & III: The Platinum Collection Released: 2003 Tracks: 39 Duration: 2:34:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 2 Keep on Moving (04:37) 3 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 4 Sweet Sensation (03:41) 5 Johnny Too Bad (04:59) 6 Red Red Wine (05:20) 7 Guilty (03:16) 8 She Caught the Train (03:16) 9 Version Girl (03:27) 10 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) 1 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:16) 2 Tears from My Eyes (03:50) 3 Groovin (03:50) 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 5 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 6 Singer Man (03:53) 7 Kingston Town (03:48) 8 Baby (03:21) 9 Wedding Day (03:11) 10 Sweet Cherrie (03:17) 11 Stick by Me (03:44) 12 Just Another Girl (03:34) 13 Homely Girl (03:24) 14 Impossible Love (05:12) 1 Holly Holy (03:35) 2 Its My Delight (03:57) 3 Come Back Darling (03:28) 4 Never Let You Go (03:18) 5 Soul Rebel (03:55) 6 My Best Girl (04:10) 7 Good Ambition (02:22) 8 The Train Is Coming (04:18) 9 Blood and Fire (03:59) 10 Mr. Fix It (03:23) 11 Stay a Little Bit Longer (02:52) 12 Someone Like You (04:52) 13 The Time Has Come (04:55) 14 Crying Over You (03:58) 15 Legalise It (09:53) |
| Labour of Love I II & III: The Platinum Collection : Allmusic album Review : For those UB40 fans who have to have everything, this triple-disc box replaces the Labour of Love albums individually -- or at least it is meant to. Virtually every single is here, and theres a load of B-sides, 12" mixes, and the best of the album cuts. Only the hardest of the hardcore followers of the band will be slapping down the cash for this, however, since Labour of Love is far too much of a good thing for the average or novice listener. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 41 Title: Homegrown Released: 2003-11-03 Tracks: 12 Duration: 51:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 So Destructive (05:15) 2 I Knew You (04:33) 3 Drop On By (04:25) 4 Someone Like Me (03:10) 5 Freestyler (05:13) 6 Everything Is Better Now (05:00) 7 Just Be Good (Bushman dub) (05:00) 8 Young Guns (04:21) 9 Hand That Rocks the Cradle (04:10) 10 Nothing Without You (03:54) 11 Nothing Without You (dub) (03:09) 12 Swing Low (03:29) |
| Homegrown : Allmusic album Review : After a series of disappointingly bland albums, Homegrown marks a slight return to form for UB40. While not as edgy and organic as longtime fans may have hoped, Homegrown has some great songs while avoiding the bands limp adult contemporary tendencies. Vocalist Ali Campbell sleepwalks through a couple love songs but the numerous political numbers find him coming alive and inspiring the band to push the groove a little harder. With dubby horns echoing and a lyrical and ominous warning to gun-carrying rappers, "Young Guns" is the kind of husky, slow groove that brings back the good old days. Ragamuffin vocalizing on "Freestyler" and a dub version of "Nothing Without You" are solid reggae moments, and the traditional "Sweet Chariot" (a track recorded for the Rugby World Cup featuring United Colours of Sound) makes for an excellent, uplifting closer. A little more energy and a little less filler and this could have been volume two of Rat in the Kitchen, but Homegrown at least points UB40 in the right direction while adding some worthwhile material to the bands repertoire. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 41 Title: Who You Fighting For? Released: 2005-06-13 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Who You Fighting For (03:30) 2 After Tonight (03:42) 3 Bling Bling (03:21) 4 Plenty More (03:55) 5 War Poem (03:48) 6 Sins of the Fathers (04:28) 7 Good Situation (04:02) 8 Gotta Tell Someone (04:22) 9 Reasons (03:53) 10 One Woman Man (03:21) 11 I’ll Be on My Way (02:12) 12 Kiss and Say Goodbye (03:13) 13 Things You Say You Love (03:24) |
| Who You Fighting For? : Allmusic album Review : The positive steps taken by 2003s Homegrown pay off on Who You Fighting For?, the solidest album from UB40 in well over a decade. Once again, relaxed love songs, covers, and plaintive observations on the everyday struggle are the ingredients, but this time its the latter that makes the album worth noting for the casual fan and treasuring for the faithful. The title tracks disgust and despair over a welcoming, bouncy beat recalls how UB40 and the English Beat used to be neck and neck in the lively revolution race while "War Poem" and "Plenty More" are pleasingly more Signing Off than expected. Just like that pivotal album, Who You Fighting For? features an Eastern-influenced highlight, the hypnotic "Reasons" with Hunterz and the Dholl Blasters. With a fine, miniature cover of Lennon and McCartneys "Ill Be on My Way" and a perfect take on Dennis Bovells slinky "After Tonight," it becomes obvious that Who You Fighting For? isnt so much a "return to form" but a blend that ties their pop period to the revolutionary early years while looking toward the future. Theyve attempted this plenty of times and came up with spotty full-lengths, crippled by bad choices and tracks that sounded forced. Inspired and sincere the whole way, Who You Fighting For? is top-shelf UB40. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 41 Title: The Best Of, Volumes 1 & 2 Released: 2005-11-14 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:05:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Breakfast in Bed (03:16) 2 Where Did I Go Wrong (03:46) 3 I Would Do for You (05:34) 4 Homely Girl (03:24) 5 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:02) 6 Kingston Town (03:48) 7 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 8 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 9 Higher Ground (04:21) 10 Bring Me Your Cup (05:40) 11 Cest la Vie (04:29) 12 Reggae Music (04:05) 13 Superstition (05:19) 14 Until My Dying Day (03:54) 15 Swing Low (03:28) 16 Kiss and Say Goodbye (03:12) |
 | Album: 29 of 41 Title: Twentyfourseven Released: 2008-05-04 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:12:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 End of War (04:40) 2 Lost and Found (04:37) 3 Dance Until the Morning Light (03:18) 4 This Is How It Is (03:57) 5 Rainbow Nation (06:11) 6 Here We Go Again (03:34) 7 I Shot the Sheriff (04:06) 8 Oh America! (extended version) (06:16) 9 Once Around (04:37) 10 Slow Down (04:06) 11 Ill Be Back (04:02) 12 Instant Radical Change of Perception (03:44) 13 Its All in the Game (03:25) 14 I’ll Be There (03:59) 15 Middle of the Night (03:36) 16 Securing the Peace (03:36) 17 The Road (04:28) |
| Twentyfourseven : Allmusic album Review : Remarkably holding together without a single lineup change ever since their debut in 1980, at the time of the release of this album in 2008, UB40 had suddenly lost two of their eight founding members. Singer Ali Campbell announced he was leaving in January and keyboardist Michael Virtue followed soon after. What exactly caused the split remained in dispute between the band and its ex-members, but there remains the fact that UB40 would now have to master this new situation. Coincidence or not, this album actually already gives various examples of what UB40 could sound like without their strikingly unique lead vocalist. Being the longest UB40 album ever (at 72 minutes length), it is nonetheless once again carried by Campbells familiar style and sound. However, normal proceedings (as ever in a reggae style) are interrupted several times by a string of interspersed cover versions sung by guests (such as Maxi Preist and members of Arrested Development). Just as was the case with Ali Campbells solo album Running Free (which was released in 2007 and was one reason that the bands album release was put back until half a year later), the choice of covers is rather run of the mill and even substandard, compared to the quality of the new originals on both of those albums. The covers might be good for listeners just wanting to "party on," but they can compete with the originals in neither elegance nor earnestness. The jarring thing is that this album finds UB40 returning to political themes much more decidedly than they had for quite some time, but the potential coherence of this album gets chopped up by the smattering of cover versions, as if coming from some entirely different compilation album of some sort. Still, on the plus side, there are new songs with strong hit potential, immediate appeal, and some sweet melodies. As for politics, even the cause of Gary "Tyler" (first sung about on the 1980 debut album) is revisited in "Rainbow Nation." Though not often so specific, topical conflicts such as those in Darfur and Gaza also get mentions in closing song "The Road." Now, however, UB40 have their own conflict to resolve, and 2009 brought with it the decision to install Duncan Campbell, a brother of Ali and Robin, as new lead singer, already featured on this album on a version of the evergreen "Its All in the Game." To possibly boost their commercial fortunes again (after having been a bit sadly overlooked by radio in recent years), the next step planned was to continue their very successful string of pure cover albums by making Labour of Love IV. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 41 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 2008-09-30 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:15:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 2 One in Ten (04:32) 3 Red Red Wine (03:01) 4 If It Happens Again (03:43) 5 Here I Am (Come and take Me) (04:03) 6 Sing Our Own Song (04:00) 7 I Got You Babe (03:08) 8 Groovin (Out on Life) (03:49) 9 My Way of Thinking (03:24) 10 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 11 Higher Ground (04:21) 12 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 13 Kingston Town (03:48) 14 Come Back Darling (03:28) 15 Dont Break My Heart (03:50) 16 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 17 Breakfast in Bed (03:20) 18 Rat in the Kitchen (03:06) 19 Homely Girl (03:24) 20 Until My Dying Day (03:54) 21 Swing Low (03:27) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Taking the two volumes of The Best of UB40 and skillfully whittling them to the size of a single CD, Virgins 2008 set Greatest Hits is unarguably truth in advertising, even if fans of the English reggae band will still tussle over whether or not the pop hits are pandering numbers well below the groups capabilities. The whole span of UB40s career is displayed in the first two tracks with the opening cover version of "(I Cant Help) Falling in Love with You" representing the ultra-slick, easy to swallow side of the band while "One in Ten" fights for the underdog with roots reggae attitude and dubby production. Course track three, the cover of Neil Diamonds "Red Red Wine," is the big divider as it crops up at weddings, frat houses, and every pool party held since the singles release in 1983. If you think it reggaes "Dont Worry Be Happy," you probably wont enjoy the take on "I Got You Babe" with Chrissie Hynde, or the bands squeaky clean version of "The Way You Do the Things You Do," but there are 21 tracks here so you can take whatever stance you want on the "sellout" issue and still be left with plenty of greatness. Whether you never heard it or just forgot about it, the inclusion of "If It Happens Again" is a horn-driven highlight, and even the sourest UB40 fan sports a smile when the high-stepping "Rat in Mi Kitchen" gets a spin. Then theres the great "Kingston Town," its wistful melody so beautiful Paris Hiltons people lifted it for her "Stars Are Blind" single. Unfortunately, the set stops at 2003 with the rugby anthem "Swing Low," and seeing how lead singer Ali Campbell left the band in 2008 this is just five years short of being the definitive word on UB40 Mach 1. A smaller complaint is the everyday artwork and not one picture of the band included, but otherwise this is the one-disc, nonjudgmental document of UB40 done right. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 41 Title: Best of Labour of Love Released: 2009 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:07:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Red Red Wine (05:20) 2 Please Dont Make Me Cry (03:25) 3 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) 4 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 5 Johnny Too Bad (04:59) 6 Homely Girl (03:25) 7 Here I Am (Come and take Me) (04:03) 8 Kingston Town (03:50) 9 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 10 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 11 Groovin (03:50) 12 Come Back Darling (03:28) 13 Holly Holy (03:35) 14 The Train Is Coming (04:17) 15 Legalise It (05:47) 16 Dont Want to See You Cry (03:49) 17 Bring It on Home (03:16) |
 | Album: 32 of 41 Title: Love Songs Released: 2009-02-02 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:15:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 2 I Got You Babe (03:08) 3 Kiss and Say Goodbye (03:13) 4 Youre Always Pulling Me Down (04:02) 5 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 6 Please Dont Make Me Cry (03:25) 7 I Love It When You Smile (04:21) 8 Homely Girl (03:24) 9 Where Did I Go Wrong (03:49) 10 Come Back Darling (03:28) 11 Impossible Love (04:00) 12 Dream a Lie (02:55) 13 Tears From My Eyes (03:49) 14 Breakfast in Bed (03:16) 15 Ill Be Your Baby Tonight (03:25) 16 Bring Me Your Cup (04:09) 17 I’ll Be There (03:59) 18 Gotta Tell Someone (04:18) 19 Here I Am (Come and take Me) (04:03) 20 I Would Do for You (05:34) |
| Love Songs : Allmusic album Review : Once one of the more exciting reggae bands of the 1980s, UB40 have long since metamorphosed into little more than a slick cover band. If recent releases such as 2005s Who You Fighting For? hinted at a much delayed return to their roots, the arrival of a compilation album such as Love Songs puts any such hopes in temporary hiatus. Among all the UB40 releases, Love Songs is probably the bands most unabashedly commercial venture ever. Released expressly for Valentines Day on February 2, 2009, Love Songs groups together 20 of UB40s most romantic songs, leaving aside their political material. Predictably, the bulk of this collection comes from the various Labour of Love volumes of covers. Many of their hits are included, such as "Cant Help Falling in Love"; the two duets with Chrissie Hynde, "Breakfast in Bed" and "I Got You Babe"; and the one with Robert Palmer on Dylans "Ill Be Your Baby Tonight." By the way, and most unexpectedly of all, this is likely the only UB40 compilation where you will not find "Red Red Wine." Other highlights include "Homely Girl," "Dont Break My Heart," and "Where Did I Go Wrong." Of course, there is nothing essentially wrong with these songs. Many are quite beautiful and all are impeccably executed. Still, they work much better in the context of their original albums, or even previous greatest-hits compilations. When they sit side by side with less syrupy material, these songs shine in a different light, offering the variety and contrast that is sorely missing from Love Songs. As it is, this compilation paints a one-dimensional portrait of the band that not only does not render justice to UB40s music, but, more worryingly, makes the 80-minute listening experience of Love Songs a rather boring affair in the end. UB40 could occasionally be great; this collection grants them no favors, presenting them as a mood music outfit. Sadly, it may be just what their post-90s audience wants: Love Songs went straight to the number three spot on the British charts upon its release. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 41 Title: Dub Sessions II: Labour of Dub Released: 2009-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 45:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 A Dub I Can Feel (05:01) 2 Dub It on Home (05:38) 3 Dub Next Door (04:39) 4 Dub on Little Girl (04:20) 5 Dub, Dub, Dub (03:29) 6 Dubbing Up (04:12) 7 Holidub (05:34) 8 Dubbing Pauper (04:10) 9 Youre Gonna Dub Me (03:43) 10 Dub to Me (04:51) |
 | Album: 34 of 41 Title: Labour of Love IV Released: 2010-02-08 Tracks: 14 Duration: 51:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dont Want to See You Cry (03:49) 2 Get Along Without You Now (03:50) 3 Bring It on Home to Me (04:35) 4 Cream Puff (02:50) 5 Easy Snappin (03:11) 6 Holiday (03:43) 7 Close to Me (03:56) 8 Man Next Door (05:14) 9 Tracks of My Tears (03:23) 10 True, True, True (02:56) 11 Boom Shaka Lacka (03:33) 12 Youre Gonna Need Me (03:00) 13 A Love I Can Feel (04:02) 14 Baby Why (03:35) |
| Labour of Love IV : Allmusic album Review : This fourth volume of UB40’s all-covers Labour of Love series is the first since the departure of longtime lead singer Ali Campbell. Here, he is replaced by his older brother Duncan, a former professional spoon player -- yes, spoon player -- who slips easily into the role with a solid yet soft voice, akin to Ali’s but not a carbon copy. UB40 groove in unison as they always have, the production is that polished style they’ve favored for the past few decades, and the song selection is an equal mix of reggae and R&B classics that fans have come to expect from the series. For prime examples, check their version of “Get Along Without You Now” -- which owes a lot to the Melodians’ take on the tune -- or their woozy, almost mystical cover of John Holt’s “Man Next Door.” When bassist Earl Falconer takes over for “Tracks of My Tears,” the use of Auto-Tune is heavy enough that the version becomes a matter of taste, but everything else is handled with care and respect. Even if it won’t bring back fans who want their UB40 to sound revolutionary, this smooth and comfortable effort is certainly nothing to sneer at. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 41 Title: Dub Sessions III Released: 2010-10 Tracks: 10 Duration: 46:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 In Dub No-One Can Hear You Scream (05:30) 2 Kobayashi Dub (04:20) 3 Reservoir Dubs (04:50) 4 Dr Strange Dub (05:11) 5 King Dubby (03:44) 6 Dubfellas (03:27) 7 Dublington Smythe & The Temple of Dub (03:53) 8 1 in 2010: A Bass Odyssey (04:37) 9 Live & Let Dub (05:45) 10 Night of the Living Dub (05:05) |
 | Album: 36 of 41 Title: Triple Best Of Released: 2012-10-19 Tracks: 50 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Red Red Wine [2009 Remaster] (?) 2 Kingston Town [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 3 Food For Thought [2010 Remaster] (?) 4 Homely Girl [2009 Remaster] (?) 5 Here I Am (Come & Take Me) [2009 Remaster] (?) 6 Rat In Mi Kitchen (Edit) (?) 7 Maybe Tomorrow (?) 8 Dont Slow Down (?) 9 Signing Off [2010 Digital Remaster] (?) 10 Johnny Too Bad [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 11 Dream A Lie [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 12 One In Ten (?) 13 Cherry Oh Baby [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 14 Present Arms (?) 15 Strange Fruit [2010 Digital Remaster] (?) 16 King [2010 Remaster] (?) 17 The Earth Dies Screaming (Edit) (?) 18 (I Cant Help) Falling In Love With You [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 19 I Got You Babe (?) 20 Groovin (Out On Life) [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 21 The Way You Do The Things You Do [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 22 Higher Ground (?) 23 Please Dont Make Me Cry [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 24 Ill Be Your Baby Tonight [2009 Remaster] (?) 25 Sing Our Own Song (Edit) (?) 26 If It Happens Again (?) 27 I Dont Want To See You Cry (?) 28 Keep On Moving [2003 Digital Remaster] (?) 29 Sardonicus (?) 30 Watchdogs (?) 31 Tell Me Is It True (?) 32 I Think Its Going To Rain Today [2010 Remaster] (?) 33 Tyler [2010 Digital Remaster] (?) 34 Who You Fighting For (?) 35 Many Rivers To Cross [2009 Remaster] (?) 36 Breakfast In Bed [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 37 Come Back Darling [2009 Remaster] (?) 38 Where Did I Go Wrong [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 39 Wear You To The Ball [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 40 Impossible Love [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 41 Cover Up (?) 42 Youre Always Pulling Me Down [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 43 Bring Me Your Cup [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 44 Holly Holy [2009 Digital Remaster] (?) 45 Dont Do The Crime (?) 46 Dont Break My Heart [2009 Remaster] (?) 47 Until My Dying Day (?) 48 Cest La Vie (?) 49 Light My Fire (?) 50 My Way Of Thinking (12 Version) [2010 Remaster] (?) |
 | Album: 37 of 41 Title: UB40 Collected Released: 2013-06-28 Tracks: 52 Duration: 3:41:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tyler (05:50) 2 Burden of Shame (Remastered) (06:28) 3 I Think Its Going to Rain Today (Remastered) (03:41) 4 Food for Thought (04:08) 5 Dont Do the Crime (04:10) 6 Don’t Slow Down (04:28) 7 One in Ten (04:32) 8 Sardonicus (04:28) 9 Please Dont Make Me Cry (Remastered) (03:24) 10 Cherry Oh Baby (Remastered) (03:16) 11 Red Red Wine (03:01) 12 If It Happens Again (03:41) 13 Riddle Me (03:57) 14 I Got You Babe (03:08) 15 Dont Break My Heart (Remastered) (03:50) 16 Sing Our Own Song (03:58) 17 Watchdogs (04:14) 1 Rat in Mi Kitchen (03:03) 2 All I Want to Do (05:29) 3 Maybe Tomorrow (03:21) 4 Where Did I Go Wrong (03:47) 5 Breakfast in Bed (03:16) 6 Homely Girl (Remastered) (03:23) 7 Kingston Town (Remastered) (03:46) 8 The Way You Do the Things You Do (Remastered) (03:02) 9 Groovin (Out on Life) (03:49) 10 Tears From My Eyes (Remastered) (03:44) 11 Here I Am / Small Axe (Remastered) (04:15) 12 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 13 Higher Ground (04:19) 14 Cest la vie (04:30) 15 Bring Me Your Cup (05:40) 16 Tell Me Is It True (03:22) 17 Always There (03:37) 18 Come Back Darling (Remastered) (03:27) 19 Kiss and Say Goodbye (03:11) 20 Bling Bling (03:21) 1 Baby Come Back (03:48) 2 Shes a Lady (04:29) 3 Reckless (03:50) 4 Ill Be Your Baby Tonight (03:23) 5 Swing Low (03:27) 6 Since I Met You Lady (03:14) 7 Madam Medusa (Remastered) (12:54) 8 Present Arms in Dub (03:03) 9 Cherry Oh Baby (dub mix) (05:40) 10 Rat in Mi Kitchen (live in Moscow) (04:05) 11 Food for Thought (live) (04:44) 12 Sardonicus (live) (05:05) 13 Folitician (live) (05:56) 14 Tyler (live) (07:14) 15 One in Ten (live) (04:38) |
 | Album: 38 of 41 Title: Gold Released: 2014-01-17 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:27:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Food for Thought (04:11) 2 Little by Little (03:41) 3 Red Red Wine (03:01) 4 I Think Its Going to Rain Today (03:43) 5 Please Dont Make Me Cry (03:26) 6 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 7 Don’t Slow Down (04:28) 8 If It Happens Again (03:44) 9 Dont Do the Crime (04:12) 10 Version Girl (03:41) 11 Sing Our Own Song (04:07) 12 Riddle Me (04:00) 13 Rat in Mi Kitchen (03:06) 14 The Pillow (03:27) 15 Maybe Tomorrow (03:24) 16 Dont Blame Me (03:35) 17 Music So Nice (03:43) 18 Come Out to Play (03:12) 19 Cos It Isnt True (03:00) 20 Youre Always Pulling Me Down (04:00) 1 Breakfast in Bed (03:18) 2 Where Did I Go Wrong (03:49) 3 Stick by Me (03:45) 4 Here I Am / Small Axe (Come and take Me) (04:17) 5 Wedding Day (03:12) 6 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:04) 7 Sweet Cherrie (03:17) 8 Tears From My Eyes (03:46) 9 (I Cant Help) Falling in Love With You (03:28) 10 Promises and Lies (03:39) 11 Higher Ground (04:21) 12 Always There (03:37) 13 Bring Me Your Cup (05:40) 14 CEst La Vie (04:32) 15 I Really Cant Say (03:19) 16 Tell Me Is It True (03:24) 17 Come Back Darling (03:29) 18 Swing Low (03:28) 19 Kiss and Say Goodbye (03:13) 20 Bling Bling (03:21) |
 | Album: 39 of 41 Title: Red Red Wine: The Collection Released: 2014-06-30 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:18:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kingston Town (03:48) 2 Red Red Wine (03:01) 3 I Got You Babe (03:08) 4 (I Cant Help) Falling In Love With You (03:27) 5 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 6 My Way of Thinking (03:24) 7 Don’t Let It Pass You By (07:45) 8 Love Is All Is Alright (remix) (04:54) 9 Watchdogs (04:17) 10 Where Did I Go Wrong? (03:47) 11 I Did What I Did (03:14) 12 Bring Me Your Cup (05:41) 13 Until My Dying Day (03:54) 14 Tell Me Is It True (03:24) 15 Come Back Darling (03:28) 16 Something More Than This (04:44) 17 Someone Like You (04:02) 18 Here I am (Come And Take Me) (04:53) 19 Food For Thought (04:01) |
 | Album: 40 of 41 Title: 5 Classic Albums Released: 2015-10-16 Tracks: 58 Duration: 3:55:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Present Arms (04:08) 2 Sardonicus (04:29) 3 Don’t Let It Pass You By (07:45) 4 Wild Cat (03:01) 5 One in Ten (04:32) 6 Don’t Slow Down (04:28) 7 Silent Witness (04:15) 8 Lambs Bread (04:48) 9 Don’t Walk on the Grass (05:07) 10 Dr. X (05:20) 1 Cherry Oh Baby (03:17) 2 Keep on Moving (04:37) 3 Please Don’t Make Me Cry (03:25) 4 Sweet Sensation (03:41) 5 Johnny Too Bad (04:59) 6 Red Red Wine (05:20) 7 Guilty (03:16) 8 She Caught the Train (03:16) 9 Version Girl (03:27) 10 Many Rivers to Cross (04:31) 1 The King Step MK. 1 (03:33) 2 The Buzz Feeling (03:41) 3 Lyric Officer MK. 2 (03:16) 4 Demonstrate (03:55) 5 Two in a One MK. 1 (03:19) 6 Hold Your Position MK. 3 (03:56) 7 Hip Hop Lyrical Robot (04:22) 8 Style MK. 4 (04:02) 9 Fight Fe Come In MK. 2 (03:25) 10 Vs Version (03:25) 11 Don’t Break My Heart (03:50) 12 I Got You Babe (03:08) 13 Mi Spliff (04:01) 1 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:16) 2 Tears from My Eyes (03:50) 3 Groovin (03:50) 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do (03:02) 5 Wear You to the Ball (03:31) 6 Singer Man (03:53) 7 Kingston Town (03:48) 8 Baby (03:21) 9 Wedding Day (03:11) 10 Sweet Cherrie (03:17) 11 Stick by Me (03:44) 12 Just Another Girl (03:34) 13 Homely Girl (03:24) 14 Impossible Love (05:12) 1 C’est la vie (04:31) 2 Desert Sand (04:48) 3 Promises and Lies (03:38) 4 Bring Me Your Cup (05:41) 5 Higher Ground (04:21) 6 Reggae Music (04:05) 7 Can’t Help Falling in Love (03:27) 8 Now and Then (03:40) 9 Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be (04:01) 10 It’s a Long Long Way (04:29) 11 Sorry (04:27) |
 | Album: 41 of 41 Title: For the Many Released: 2019-03-15 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 The Keeper (05:35) 2 Broken Man (04:56) 3 Gravy Train (06:55) 4 Im Alright Jack (05:56) 5 Moonlight Lover (04:30) 6 You Havent Called (06:09) 7 What Happened to UB40 (04:11) 8 Bulldozer (04:21) 9 Poor Fool (04:24) 10 All We Do Is Cry (04:26) |