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. ~ David Jeffries