UB40 will release The Fathers of Reggae on November 19th. The fourteen-track album will feature the likes of Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Toots Hibbert, The Mighty Diamonds, Honey Boy and Leroy Sibbles singing UB40 songs.

Pieced together over three years, the project turned the tables on some of UB40's earlier work. "We have done a series of albums called Labour of Love," guitarist Robin Campbell says. "These were covers of the original reggae versions of the late Sixties and early Seventies. It seemed like a good idea to ask the original artists if they would like to record some of our tunes."

The eleven-man combo assembled a wish list of artists and invited the vocalists to sing over the original UB40 tracks. "A couple declined and a couple we had not asked rang us, and asked why they weren't on our list," says Campbell. "Thankfully the rest were very enthusiastic too. These guys are our idols. They are the originators of reggae music. They are the reason UB40 plays reggae. Nuff said?"

The Fathers of Reggae track listing:

"You Could Meet Somebody," featuring the Mighty Diamonds
"You're Always Pulling Me Down," featuring Freddie McGregor
"Bring Me Your Cup," featuring Gregory Isaacs
"Silent Witness," featuring Brent Dowe
"Always There," featuring Honey Boy
"I Love It When You Smile," featuring Alton Ellis
"Don't Do The Crime," featuring Jackie Robinson
"Watchdogs," featuring Max Romeo
"Love Is All Is Alright," featuring Bob Andy
"The Earth Dies Screaming," featuring Ken Boothe
"Don't Slow Down," featuring Winston Groovy
"Higher Ground," featuring Leroy Sibbles
"The Pillow," featuring John Holt
"C'est La Vie," featuring Toots Hibbert

COLIN DEVENISH
(September 27, 2002)