Albums: UB40 – UB45

UB40 – UB45
Home; Food For Thought; King; Champion; Tyler; Trouble; Red Red Wine; Fool Me Once; Cherry Oh Baby; Say Nothing; Sing Our Own Song; Gimmie Some Kinda Sign; Kingston Town; Hope She’ll Be Happie
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(SONO RECORDINGS) SRG 1069

Celebrating their 45th anniversary, UB40 returns with this new album of newly recorded songs alongside updated versions of some of their biggest hits.

The new songs continue the UB40 tradition of addressing hot issues and taking a firm stand against world injustices, all set against a reggae beat. The opening track on the album, Home, deals with the themes of bigotry and inequality, setting the scene for the rest of this comprehensive set.

UB40 have always had an ear for a good song to cover; their biggest hit, Red Red Wine, was a cover of an old Neil Diamond song. UB40 continues this tradition by reinterpreting Brenton Wood's 1967 track Gimmie Little Sign re-born here as Gimmie Some Kinda Sign as well a cover of the Bill Withers number Hope She’ll Be happier though again UB40 make a slight amendment to the song title.

Matt Doyle, a new vocalist in the line-up, gives a new take on the big hits with Food for Thought, King, and Sing Our Own Song, sounding fresh and invigorating—two qualities that Doyle has brought to the band. His youthful energy and enthusiasm seem to have given UB40 a new lease of life.

Champion shines here in all its glory; the track was the official song of the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, the band's hometown. The album will appeal to their faithful fans, many of whom have stuck with the band since their inception, as well as gather a new set of younger fans