The Jukebox Rebel

After the blistering form of the last two years, it would be unrealistic to expect another major classic, but “UB44” still has plenty going for it all the same, not to mention a very snazzy hologram cover for those who were first in the queue. The September '82 release was adverised as the 4th album (hence the UB40-4 title) although it's only their third album of new music. Hedging their bets, UB44 was also the government code used in letter's sent to the unemployed who'd missed their 'signing on' appointment. It's a sign that they're still very much connected with their roots and roots music, and this is reflected in “The Key” with Yellow Man, Eek-A-Mouse, Scratch, The Scientist & Gregory Isaacs being just some of the luminaries receiving the namecheck treatment. Generally speaking, the sound has softened since last years “Present Arms”, although the likes of “So Here I Am” and “Don't Do The Crime” are the wholly acceptable face of pop-reggae, both tracks wrestling with the challenges presented by that 9 to 5 grind. The themes of the hard road to travel are to the fore on the album's rootsiest cut, the classic “I Won’t Close My Eyes”, which had been the album's lead single (#32) back in February. The May 45 “Love Is All Is All Right” hit #29, and the aforementioned “So Here I Am” made #25 and was the current hit just as the LP arrived. The former's laid back lovers-rock style belied the anti-nazi anti-religious-militant lyrical theme. Sparks may not be flying, but the core of the fire remains intensely red.

The Jukebox Rebel
05–Mar–2010

A1	[03:54] UB40 - So Here I Am (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
A2	[03:46] UB40 - I Won’t Close My Eyes (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
A3	[04:22] UB40 - Forget The Cost (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
A4	[04:57] UB40 - Love Is All Is Alright (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
A5	[03:50] UB40 - The Piper Calls The Tune (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
B1	[05:05] UB40 - The Key (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
B2	[04:12] UB40 - Don’t Do The Crime (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
B3	[04:10] UB40 - Folitician (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae
B4	[05:57] UB40 - The Prisoner (Jimmy Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Terence Wilson) Reggae

ratings by TJR