UB40
'Under The Influence'
DMC Records - UTICD09
UK Release date 5th March 2007

Whilst the West Midlands area of the United Kingdom has long been associated with popular music and seen its fair share of homegrown pop and soul bands since the beginning of the 1960's there have been few that have matched the sheer brilliance of UB40. Synonymous with the sound of the 80's they racked up hit after hit, after hit and were rarely out of the UK charts where their blend of homegrown reggae and dub did more for the UK scene than most Jamaican artists had achieved in a lifetime. UB40 were a multi cultural outfit from Birmingham who initially supported the Pretenders after leading lady Chrissie Hynde spotted them playing in a local pub and soon after independent record label Graduate released their first 45 'King/Food For Thought' which climbed the UK record charts in 1980 peaking at number 4 - the seeds were sown, and as they say the rest is history!.

It goes without saying that trying to emulate Jamaican music is no easy task. The early sixties in the Caribbean was alive with roots reggae, ska, and blue-beat music of which only a handful ever got to see a UK record release - the rest were imported into this country and used at the now famous underground blues parties held at key locations across the UK such as Manchester, London and Nottingham. As the decade progressed the UK saw a huge influx of migrants from Jamaica entering the country who brought with them a wealth of knowledge of their musical culture and artists such as Bob Marley, Prince Buster, The Skatalites had their then unknown recordings being played to an eager UK audience who were fast becoming hooked on the Jamaican sound.

As the mod culture took hold throughout the UK certain ska records became mod favourites most notably Millie Small's UK ska hit 'My Boy Lollipop' which scored heavily in the UK charts in 1967. At the same time Desmond Decker & the Aces were making waves and scoring hits in this country with '007' (Shanty Town) via the Pyramid label, followed to Train To Skaville by the Ethiopians which saw a UK release on President Records also in the same year. The remainder of the 1960's were peppered with minor chart hits from reggae artists but it wasn't until the following decade that really saw some major chart action via the Trojan Record group.

UB40 had clearly cut their teeth on this kind of music and this compilation clearly shows some of those great songs that influenced them. Not all are reggae - Marvin Gaye's 1972 statement 'What's Going On' , and Michael Jackson's own take on the Temptations classic 'My Girl' , and Stevie Wonders 1971 hit 'Never Had A Dream Come True' are a stark reminder to everyone of just what an influence they remain to this very day. Even Bill Withers and the late Otis Redding  have a place in their heart but when you listen to the reggae influences of Black Uhuru, Gregory isaac's, King Tubby, and Big Youth who incidentally deliver a killer almost lovers rock slice of reggae dynamite with 'Progress' (part 2) that won't fail to move your body.

Have a listen at Zap Pow's 1970's favourite 'This Is Reggae Music' for its sheer simplicity and creativity and then compare it with the opening song on this disc by Timmy Thomas whose 'Why Can't We Live Together' and check out some stark similarities in the arrangement. Peter Tosh's plea for drugs to become legal is represented in 'Legalise It' but the jewel in the crown is not the track by Bob Marley but 'Marcus Garvey' by Burning Spear to fully appreciate just how good reggae influenced music really is/was.

UB40 continue to be one of the most respected UK  outfits representing reggae music in the UK and this disc gives you some idea of their influences. The charts need a return to some real music and this CD would make a most welcome addition into your record collection.

Released on the 5th March 2007.

Rating 8/10