UB40

Britain's biracial UB40 is arguably the most popular non-Jamaican reggae band ever. A
series of English albums has turned eight young Birmingham men (who named their band
after an unemployment form) into big-league pop idols in their native land. Their second
American release, Labour of Love – a collection of cover versions – broke the ice in a big
way here as well. Garnishing its authentic-sounding reggae with all the right trim... More >

Seemed dull even for reggae first time through, and even for the soulfully monochromatic Ali Campbell well after that. I persevered only because an Afrosax instrumental kept taking me by surprise. Then the lilting "Seasons" won my heart. And then--presto!, or at least lento . . . --I was focusing in on almost every cut, and admiring the jumpy depth of the production throughout. Could be their strongest ever, I swear. Still there's reason to worry about how long the first impression will last. (Grade: A-)