UB40

[Survival]

Maybe a stupid question.. but why isn't UB40 in the archive?

[king g]

Not a stupid question at all. A very good one i'd say. There are other English reggae acts listed. Thing is most Reggae fans do not consider UB40 relevant. Yet they are very respected in Jamaica, as a lot of early acts such as Lord Creator had never been paid before they recorded Labour of Love. Personally I am not a fan, but it has to be said their debut LP was very important at the time and adressed many issues in Britain. Ali Cambell seems a bit of an agressive cat to me so me stick to Jah Music

Ites

[imet]

...we should ask to moderators but signing off anf presents arms are two very interesting albums, while the rest...no comment...

[leggo rocker]

I think they should be on here.

Signing off was a great introduction to many non-reggae fans to the genre at the time. And both present arms and present arms dub are worthy LPs IMHO.

They were also a great political act. Even the name UB40 itself comes from the form number on the unemployment benefit card that many of us were unfortunate to hold in the late 70s when recession was wrecking our lives. You went down to the dole queue (which was very long back then) with your 'UB40' card in hand to sign on for your benefit.

I'll add them to the missing albums in the contribute section.

[selecta bing]

HORRAY!!!!!!

[glenn]

i'm not big fan of there music, but i do think they deserve to be on here based on there early recordings (pre 1984). and whilst some of there later stuff is dissed by many, i could recommend the album "UB40 presents The Father of Reggae". an album of UB40 tunes recorded with artists such as Alton Ellis, The Mighty Diamonds, Freddie McGregor and Gregory Isaacs....they are also a good act to go and see live.

regards
glenn

[realego]

Come on lads UB40 are reggae hell, they bring down the good name of reggae more than Cultural Club, Sinead O'Connor, Peter Andre, serg Gainsborough, Manu Chao & Mick Hucknel put together. & their fans tend to be white trash neanderthal scum who only listen to "the 40" & Phil Collins. (td)(td)(td)(td)(td)

[Willie-Roots]

Singing Off is a good album.

[picaraza]

Are they a roots group? No.

Is the purpose of the Roots Archive to "bring you a comprehensive and searchable database of Jamaican Roots Reggae Albums from 1970 to 1985?" Yes.

Should they be in the roots archive?

I guess I don't have to tell anyone that the *Labor of Love*--- um *Labour of Love* LP sold by the box loads in the United States and prompted a lot of people to seek out the original recordings, which sold a lot of Trojan compilations, which sold more Trojan compilations, which created a lot of (early)reggae/rock steady fanatics.

[There is nothing autobiographical in the above paragraph]

Anyway, I think they were a fine group that produced a lot good music--not roots music, to be sure, but good stuff nonetheless.

P.S. I have fond memories of the *Geoffrey Morgan* album. I haven't heard it for many, many years and don't plan to either as I don't want to spoil the illusion. I'm genuinely afraid of what I'll hear 20 years on.

P.P.S. Comparing UB40 to Phil Collins is really low. Rubbish really.

[Islander]

rasism