|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 1 December 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Titled the Peace Concert, that guys are scheduled to perform at the Parliamentary Grounds in Kotte on December 14, with audience in Kandy, Galle, Jaffna and Trincomalee getting an opportunity to view the show through satellite projection. So while the organisers put the final touches to the dream concert... like deciding the ticket prices and fine tuning the details, lets take an up close and personal look the group that gave reggae a distinctive Birmingham flavour. More than any other artists of their time, Britain's UB40 have proven the power of pop-influenced reggae music. With world-wide sales topping 30 million albums during their career, the UB40 story demonstrates just how far people can go by staying true to their roots. UB40 grew up in the heart of Birmingham, one of England's most ethnically diverse cities. The summer of 1978 saw the eight band members drawn together by their love of the skanking Jamaican reggae vibes. Taking their name from a notorious British unemployment form, the multi-racial group of young men proceeded to spend the next six months in a basement, collaborating on ideas and learning their instruments. By early 1979 they had played their first local gig. Through the rest of the year UB40 performed at pubs, clubs, and benefits all around the UK. British radio legend John Peel was so impressed with the group's first demo tape that he invited them to perform on his prestigious, nationally broadcast show in January 1980. The single "King" b/w "Food For Thought" became at Top 5 smash in England in February 1980, and officially launched UB40's career as hit-making recording artists. The group released a pair of 1981 albums, "Present Arms" and "Present Arms In Dub," and thus embarked on a career journey characterised by uncompromising artistic autonomy. UB40's breakthrough in America arrived in the form of 1983's Labour Of Love, and its single "Red, Red Wine." The song topped the British singles charts in 1983 and - five years later - landed UB40 their first #1 smash hit in the U.S. Autumn 1984 saw the release of Geoffrey Morgan..., . Touring America and Canada in the first half of 1985, the group celebrated another hit single in July 1985 with "I Got You Babe," recorded with Chrissie Hynde. Back in the studio, UB40 put the finishing touches on "Rat In The Kitchen," released in the summer of 1986. More recording in 1987 and 1988 was complimented by touring world-wide. The 1988 album UB40 included the highlight "Breakfast In Bed," another song featuring guest vocals from Chrissie Hynde. Labour Of Love II, released in November of 1989. Though this record marked the group's betrayal of their liberal politics for commercial success, it did pay off, spawning two U.S. Top 10 hits, "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and "Here I Am (Come And Take Me)." Solidifying their new role as a gimmicky reggae oldies band, UB40 returned in 1993 with a version of the kitschy Elvis tune "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You" that went to No. 1 in the U.S. and Britain. The subsequent tour culminated in a series of shows in South Africa (their first), with the group dedicating their anti-apartheid anthem "Sing Our Own Song" to President Nelson Mandela, marking a poignant end to UB40's 15 month tour. Later that year 'Promises and Lies' entered the U.S. charts at No. 6, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. With singles at No. 1 in 17 countries world-wide, UB40 embarked on two more tours. Following the release of 1997's 'Guns in the Ghetto' UB40 was forced to cancel their U.S. tour after they were unable to fill the huge amphitheatres where they were scheduled to play. The album notched platinum-plus U.S. sales, spawned a pair of Top 10 pop hits. In the spring of 1999, UB40 released their third album of covers, Labour of Love III. The CD contained another Neil Diamond remake, "Holly Holy." They followed it up with the 'Very Best of UB40' in 2000 and 'Cover Up' their 20th album, in 2002. The latter, recorded in the band's own Birmingham studio, explores the potent blend of the personal and the political which has always been one of UB40's hallmarks. The title track of the album, which seeks to promote AIDS awareness in Africa is a play on words that implies both safe sex and the desire to sweep the AIDS problem under the carpet. 'Cover Up' features ballads, including the lover's rock number 'Sparkle' and upbeat dance tracks such as 'Rudie' |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
The buzz in the city these days is about UB40. Yeah the 'Red Red Wine'
guys who kept wondering what to do about the 'Rat in Mi Kitchen' and then
did one better than Sonny and Cher with 'I got you Babe'. Yeah guys the
soulful reggae kings who redubbed themselves the 'Fathers of Reggae' are
all set to dazzle the baila loving local audience with a live performance
that is guaranteed to be Simply Super.
