UB40, the world’s biggest selling reggae group, has released their much awaited 21st studio album UB45. The 14-track album features brand new songs including forthcoming singles “Gimme Some Kinda Sign” and “Home”, plus re-recordings of some of the band’s most beloved hits.
PLUS … UB40 storms Australia this October. Celebrating 45 years of chart-topping hits, UB40 promises an explosive return to our shores, joined by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Eagle-Eye Cherry.
UB40’s Red Red Wine Tour kicks off at Gold Coast’s Convention Centre on Saturday 12 October then heads to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and concludes at Perth’s Red Hill Auditorium on Sunday 20 October.
Ahead of UB40’s October Australian tour AM editor Greg Phillips sat down with the band’s main man Robin Campbell to chat about the new album and of course their trip down under
MORE ABOUT UB40’S NEW ALBUM
Over the course of 45 years, UB40 have garnered over 100 million album sales, 50 UK Top 40 singles and 10 UK Top 10 albums. The band has stood the test of time, touring the world together and recording music shot through with an unbreakable bond, fostered by their long-standing friendships and shared Birmingham roots. The line-up proudly boasts all but one of the surviving founding members, now bolstered by the reinvigorating and reenergising presence of vocalist Matt Doyle.
There are seven brand new UB40 recordings on this album, including forthcoming lead single “Gimme Some Kinda Sign”, a cover of Brenton Wood’s 1967 track “Gimme Little Sign”. The group added a special UB40 flavour to the legendary soul classic. It was chosen by Matt Doyle, who brought it to Robin Campbell, unaware that the song had been on the guitarist and vocalist’s wish list since the Labour Of Love (1983) days.
UB45 sees the band do what they do best, with songs that fearlessly address societal hot button issues and take a firm stand against the injustices of the world. This is apparent from the off on opening track “Home”, complete with trademark UB40 beats and the powerful themes of inequality and bigotry. Other new recordings include a beautiful rendition of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll Be Happier” (1971), “Trouble”, “Say Nothing”, “Fool Me Once”, and the single “Champion” which was the official anthem of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
UB40’s iconic tunes “Food For Thought”, ”King”, “Tyler”, “Red Red Wine”, Cherry Oh Baby”, “Sing Our Own Song” and “Kingston Town” have all been given a fresh recorded treatment while retaining the spirit, timbre and melodies that fans know and love. In addition to Matt’s vocals, Jamaican keyboard player Jahred Gordon has joined the band ranks. Long-time producing partner Jamie Travers, son of late founding member and legendary saxophonist Brian Travers, also plays keys. Jamie worked to isolate his father’s sax from live recordings, grafting the sounds onto the re-recorded tracks so that the group could honour their bandmate, who died in 2021.
Robin Campbell said “we’re so proud of the new album. We wanted to record UB45 to celebrate 45 years of our music, and also to showcase Matt Doyle’s vocals on the tracks. He’s brought a new lease of life to our music, as has the addition of fellow Brummie, “permanent guest” MC Gilly G and my son, Matt Campbell on backing vocals. When you play songs over so many years, the arrangements and vocals evolve and change. These updated versions of our hits are still close to the originals, but now reflect how we perform them today and they sound better than ever.”
UB45 – TRACKLISTING:
Home
Food For Thought
King
Champion
Tyler
Trouble
Red Red Wine
Fool Me Once
Cherry Oh Baby
Say Nothing
Sing Our Own Song
Gimme Some Kinda Sign
Kingston Town
Hope She’ll Be Happier
UB40 is Robin Campbell (vocals & guitar), James Brown (drums), Earl Falconer (vocals & bass), Norman Hassan (vocals & percussion), Martin Meredith (keyboards & saxophone), Laurence Parry (trumpet & trombone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals) Matt Doyle (lead vocals & guitar) and Matt Campbell (backing vocals).
MORE ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Experience the infectious beats of UB40 classics like ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, ‘Food for Thought’, ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry’ and ‘Kingston Town’, alongside fresh tracks from their upcoming album ‘UB45’ which will be released worldwide on Friday 19 April. With over 100 million albums sold globally, UB40’s legacy continues to captivate audiences with their timeless sound.
Robin Campbell says; “We’re visiting some pretty exotic places on this world tour including Latin America, the Caribbean and the East, but we are always buzzing to come back to Australia, the welcome we get from the fans down there is special and we can’t wait to return with our new album “UB45’.”
Adding to the excitement, Eagle-Eye Cherry brings his melodic blend of alternative rock to the stage, featuring hits like ‘Save Tonight’. Don’t miss this electrifying showcase of musical talent and camaraderie.
Eagle-Eye Cherry’s career changed with his breakthrough hit song ‘Save Tonight’ from his acclaimed debut album ‘Desireless’. That album went on to sell 4 million copies worldwide and saw him garner global recognition for his melodic, folky blend of alternative rock.
Clearly, the Swedish singer-songwriter had something, other than just musical genes, being the son of late jazz trumpeter Don Cherry and sibling to 80’s star Neneh Chery. His longevity and success have seen him release six albums – his most recent, ‘Back on Track’, which came out in January 2023. Eagle-Eye Cherry’s songwriting contains many infectious choruses that first brought him to the world’s attention. He’s also been co-writing for other artists and films.
His live shows here in Australia will feature a selection of hits and songs across his multiple album releases, so make sure you catch the inexplicable magic of Eagle-Eye Cherry.
Tickets for UB40 and Eagle-Eye Cherry will sell fast – secure your spot for an unforgettable night of reggae and rock fusion!
UB40 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES 2024
Saturday 12 October
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
Sunday 13 October
Eatons Hill (Outdoor), Brisbane
Wednesday 16 October
Hordern Pavilion Sydney
Thursday 17 October
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Friday 18 October
AEC Theatre, Adelaide
Sunday 20 October
Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
For more information, visit: www.teglive.com.au
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