UB40 Announce New Members and Album

UB40 Announce New Members and Album - page 2

30-04-2008 15:40

Duncan Campbell comes from a long standing and talented musical family, with both brothers Robin and Ali forming UB40 thirty years ago and their father, the renowned folk singer Ian Campbell whose band the Ian Campbell Group established themselves as a highly proficient live act.

The band enjoyed chart triumph with their rendition of Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin, and also had success with their eight album releases.

On joining UB40, Duncan Campbell said; 'I’ve long admired UB40 as a band and always had a great respect for what Robin and Ali have contributed to the band with Astro, Brian, Earl, Norman and Jimmy. UB40 are the biggest and most successful reggae band in the world, so I was absolutely delighted and a little stunned of course to be asked to come and work with the band.

'Of course it’s a hugely daunting task to undertake and make sure that I do justice to the songs that I perform on. I’m not about to start jumping into Ali’s shoes, he has made an incredible contribution to the band that nobody could ever replace with such a distinctive sound.

'I will of course be giving it my all and contributing my own style of vocals and performance, I hope I can do justice to their great songs and that the fans will like what they hear.'

Commenting on the collaborations band member Brian Travers said; 'UB40 have had a long tradition of working and collaborating with various artists over the years, Maxi Priest came out on tour with us last year and after his performance of I Shot The Sheriff it was a natural and logical progression to work together, Maxi has worked on two tracks for the new album with us.

'Duncan who is the third Campbell brother, also has a gifted voice like his two brothers. He came into the studio one day and started singing over some tracks with Robin and we were just struck by his voice, the relationship just evolved very naturally.'

Maxi Priest said; 'I am thrilled to be working with UB40 who I have always held in high regard as my brothers in reggae music. UB40 are one of the greatest bands in the world, to have lasted three decades is an amazing testament to their success.

'The collaboration with the band came about after I joined UB40 on their UK tour in December of last year, we got on stage and started jamming the Marley song I Shot The Sheriff and it went down so well that the guys asked me if I would come into the studio and record it for the album.

'One thing led to another and in the session we came out with not one but two tracks including, Dance Until The Morning Light, which includes a sample loop from Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ record 'Israelites'. We had a great time doing the recording and I can’t wait to perform with them again'

Twentyfourseven represents UB40 at their creative and musical best which takes strength and inspiration from their political and social conscience, arguably producing one of their finest albums to date of original material, cover versions and collaborations.

The new album features seventeen tracks with collaborations from reggae stalwart Maxi Priest, 1 Love & Rasa Don from Arrested Development, Marvin Priest and Hunterz. The album was recorded in Birmingham, London, Sweden, New York & Fayetteville, Georgia, USA. The Twentyfourseven full track listing is;

* End Of War

* Lost and Found

* Dance Until The Morning Light

* This Is How It Is

* Rainbow Nation

* Here We Go Again

* I Shot The Sheriff

* Oh America! (Extended version)

* Once Around

* Slow Down

* I’ll Be Back

* Instant Radical Change Of Perception