The Very Best of UB40

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Few things in life are as reliable as UB40. For more than 20 years the eight Birmingham lads, led by brothers Robin and Ali (the one with the odd voice) Campbell, have been plying their very individual, and very British brand of reggae. And, save for a slight shift from the rootsy Ska of their first top-10 single, "King/Food For Thought", to the more commercial likes of "Homely Girl", little has changed over their 43-single career. Although their own tracks were always laid-back and infectious, it was their reggae-lite makeovers of pop classics like "Red Red Wine", "I Got You Babe" and "I Can't Help Falling In Love", that brought their biggest hits and are the main focus of The Very Best Of. Not as comprehensive as previous compilations, The Best Of UB40 Volume 1 and Volume 2, it still boasts more memorable and happily lilting hits than most bands could lay claim to. Of those, two tracks standout a mile--the William Orbit (he who revamped American Pie for Madonna) styled production of their recent cover of "Light My Fire" is exceptional, but "Rat In Mi Kitchen", thanks to superb lyrics, sparse yet perfectly formed dub horns and a little hindsight, is just as good as Brit-reggae gets. --Dan Gennoe

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Customer reviews

review by: Toypom date: 2004-02-15 rating:
Melodious pop reggae
It might not be roots, but UB40 has mellow pop reggae down to a T. This hit-packed compilation includes their early ska-based songs King and Food For Thought, plus all their later successes. Most of their biggest hits were covers of older classics, but they always did a good job in the interpretation. Red Red Wine, for example, is absolutely brilliant and the same can be said for Kingston Town, Cherry Oh Baby and I Got You Babe with Chrissie Hynde on guest vocal. I also love the humorous Rat In Mi Kitchen and their excellent interpretation of The Doors’ Light My Fire. Although not completely comprehensive, this compilation offers excellent value for money in that these tracks really were their greatest hits from a 20-year career. There’s not one filler track and every song is catchy and hummable. If you like your reggae melodic and mellow, this album is a must.

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review by: date: 2001-04-28 rating:
Doesn't Get Any Better
For me, UB40 are at their very best when writing their own material. But there are certain exceptions to that rule - Red Red Wine, Can't Help Falling In Love With You. UB40 are a band who remain true to their roots, still living in Birmingham, they also remain close to their musical roots and give due respect to their idols. This album represents a commercial Best Of, songs which have either sold by the bucket loadand is guaranteed to make you dance and sing along. The perfect album by a vastly underrated band, to introduce someone to UB40, every song is infectious and you'll play it again and again.

For me, the highlight is Sing Our Own Song, a tribute to the Freedom fighters primarily in South Africa, but could also apply to other oppressed parts of the world. This is followed closely by King, which is in a word - SUPREME.

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review by: date: 2000-11-25 rating:
An outstanding album, by an outstanding band
Having been a UB40 fan for 15 years, I decided to buy this album the day it was released, even though I had all the songs on other albums. This album really does show how talented this band really are. Their new single "Light My Fire", is an outstanding contribution to the album, which I am sure will do well when released as a single.

For any UB40 fan this album is a must and for anyone else, buy it you will not be dissapointed.

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review by: date: 2000-11-23 rating:
UB40 At Their Very Best.........
I think this particular album contains all the favourite hits of the band. It covers all 20 years of UB40`s hits from the early years up until the present with the imminent release of their new single `Light My Fire` originally released by The Doors...it is a great mix and in fact I prefer this to the original!!. I think everyone who buys the album will be very happy to have this CD in their collection and not be at all disappointed .....it is great value for money having all the amazing 20 tracks on one CD...give it a try, I think even if you don`t know all the tracks I`m sure you will be playing this one more than once and will be pleasantly surprised and singing along in no time!!. I recommed that you go and buy this immediately, it will make a great Christmas present.


review by: Steve Cummins date: 2000-10-10 rating:
The Very Best of UB40
It's compilation time again. This is UB40's third pre-Christmas greatest hits album, but that does not detract from the quality of the content. The Birmingham based reggae band have released a definitive collection from a twenty year career that has produced three UK number 1's and thirty four Top 40 hits.

This 20-track CD collects together the pick of The Best of UB40 Volume One and Volume Two, released in 1987 and 1995 respectively. It also features recent hits such as 'Tell Me Is It True' and 'Come Back Darling', as well as their new single - a cover of the Door's classic 'Light My Fire'. The compilation comes at a time when Virgin hope to raise the profile of the band, ahead of the release of an album of new material some time in the new year.

For anyone vaguely interested in UB40, this is indeed a worthy introduction to their music. Hits from the three popular Labour of Love albums are featured, including 'Red Red Wine', 'Kingston Town' and the gorgeous 'Homely Girl'. Other cover versions include their rendition of 'I Got You Babe' and the world wide hit from the summer of 1993, 'Can't Help Falling In Love'.

However, this CD does much to shatter the myth that UB40 are nothing more than a cover band. Twelve of their finest self-penned compositions are included, which serve to highlight the bands' song-writing abilities. From the early years comes their first single 'Food For Thought' and 'King', whilst the album opens with the anti-unemployment hit 'One In Ten'. Other classics include 'Don't Break My Heart' and the African liberation anthem 'Sing Our Own Song', which was performed live at the Nelson Mandela concert at Wembley in 1988.

The distinctive voice of singer Ali Campbell takes the lead on most tracks. However, the toasting vocals of Astro feature on 'Bring Me Your Cup' and 'Rat In Mi Kitchen'. Long-standing fans of the band will be critical, no doubt, of the absence of some of UB40's other classics, especially more of the political songs of their early years. Yet this CD is intended to represent the wider appeal of one of Britain's most successful, and often underrated, groups. For two decades UB40 have built up a fan base from all ages, races and social groups, selling nearly 50 million records in the process.

Whether you are new to their music or not, The Very Best of UB40 is an album that will look good in any Christmas stocking this year, and will delight listeners both old and young.

Steve Cummins, October 2000

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