UB44
UB44 | ||||
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Studio album by UB40 | ||||
Released | 27 September 1982 | |||
Studio | Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin | |||
Genre | Reggae | |||
Length | 40:13 | |||
Label | DEP International | |||
Producer | UB40 | |||
UB40 chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
UB44 is the third studio album of original material by UB40, released on the DEP International label in 1982. It was advertised as their 'fourth album' (hence the title)[2] although Present Arms in Dub had been a remix album. The album reached No. 4 in the UK album chart and the early release of the packaging had a hologram cover. UB44 was the Department of Employment form letter sent to British unemployment benefit claimants when they missed their 'signing on' appointment.
Releases
The album was initially released on LP and cassette. A CD reissue followed in 1993.[3] Some releases incorrectly state that the album was recorded in 1981.
Content
This album was effectively the last one in their early musical style, again mixing heavy, doom-laden reggae soundscapes with politically and socially conscious lyrics. In particular, "I Won't Close My Eyes" and "Love is All is Alright" use reverb, echoes, and stereo positioning for a shimmering, three dimensional feel indicated by the 3D cover. Droning rhythms- the 4th dimension of time- induce a trance, evoking reggae's substance behind the muse. "Love is All is Alright" is a slow number with close sounding, harmonised vocals. Sax and trumpet echo in a huge hall, sounding like some Caribbean band of long ago. A funky, effected, simple guitar twang adds to the old and new feel. The lyrics challenge the listener that "a little more hate" may be needed in polarised racial and class conflicts.[citation needed]
Track listing
All tracks composed by UB40
- "So Here I Am" – 3:54
- "I Won't Close My Eyes" [Remix] – 3:46
- "Forget the Cost" – 4:22
- "Love Is All Is Alright" [Remix] – 4:57
- "The Piper Calls the Tune" – 3:50
- "The Key" – 5:05
- "Don't Do the Crime" – 4:12
- "Folitician [Remix]" – 4:10
- "The Prisoner" – 5:57
Personnel
- UB40
- Ali Campbell - vocals, guitar
- Astro - trumpet, vocals, toasting
- Brian Travers - saxophone
- Robin Campbell - guitar, vocals
- Michael Virtue - keyboards
- Earl Falconer - bass
- James "Jim" Brown - drums, vocals, synthesized percussion
- Norman Hassan - percussion, trombone
- Technical
- Rafe McKenna - assistant producer, mixing engineer
- Paul Thomas - recording engineer
- Optec Design - artwork, hologram
References
- v
- t
- e
- Jimmy Brown
- Robin Campbell
- Earl Falconer
- Norman Hassan
- Matt Doyle
- Ali Campbell
- Yomi Babayemi
- Jimmy Lynn
- Brian Travers
- Mickey Virtue
- Astro
- Duncan Campbell
- Signing Off
- Present Arms
- UB44
- Labour of Love
- Geffery Morgan
- Baggariddim
- Rat in the Kitchen
- UB40
- Labour of Love II
- Promises and Lies
- Guns in the Ghetto
- Labour of Love III
- Cover Up
- Homegrown
- Who You Fighting For?
- TwentyFourSeven
- Labour of Love IV
- Getting Over the Storm
- A Real Labour of Love
- For the Many
- Bigga Baggariddim
- The Singles Album
- More UB40 Music
- The UB40 File
- The Best of UB40 – Volume One
- The Best of UB40 – Volume Two
- The Very Best of UB40 1980–2000
- Greatest Hits
- Love Songs
- "King" / "Food for Thought"
- "My Way of Thinking" / "I Think It's Going to Rain Today"
- "The Earth Dies Screaming"
- "Don't Let It Pass You By" / "Don't Slow Down"
- "One in Ten"
- "Red Red Wine"
- "Please Don't Make Me Cry"
- "Many Rivers to Cross"
- "If It Happens Again"
- "Sing Our Own Song"
- "Rat in Mi Kitchen"
- "I Got You Babe"
- "Breakfast in Bed"
- "Homely Girl"
- "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)"
- "Kingston Town"
- "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
- "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
- "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You"
- "Higher Ground"
- "The Train Is Coming"
- "Swing Low"
- UB40 discography
- DEP International
- Big Love