UB40 Announce New Members and Album

30-04-2008 15:40

Reggae legends UB40 have today announced two new vocalists who will be joining UB40 to collaborate on their forthcoming live concerts.Duncan Campbell, brother of Robin and Ali Campbell, will join UB40 along with reggae stalwart Maxi Priest and collaborate on future live concerts and recorded albums. The announcement brings to an end speculation as to who would replace former lead singer Ali Campbell.The announcement marks the first in a series of collaborations by the Birmingham band on what is set to be an exciting new chapter in the bands musical legacy. Their musical collaborations over the past three decades have included such esteemed company as the late Robert Palmer, Chrissie Hynde, Afrika Bambaataa, 808 State, John Holt, Toots Hibbert, Gregory Isaacs and Beenie Man to name but a few The band have also announced details of their long awaited album Twentyfourseven which will be released on Monday 16th June 2008. The album will be the bands final recording with former member and lead singer Ali Campbell.Maxi Priest has collaborated with UB40 on two songs for the new album. He sings with UB40, his son Marvin Priest and DJ Beniton on the timeless Marley classic I Shot The Sheriff while also providing lead vocal on Dance Until The Morning Light (the double a-sided single) which features an infectious sample loop taken from Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ groundbreaking 1968 hit 'Israelites'Maxi Priest known as The King of Lovers Rock’, has established himself as one of the top British reggae singers of all time. He is one of only two UK reggae acts (the other being UB40) to score an American Billboard Number One with the song "Close to You", which was released in 1990.The duet with Roberta Flack - "Set the Night to Music" - also reached the U.S Top Ten in 1991.During Maxi’s lengthy career, he has had ten successful album releases and collaborated with such musicians and artists as Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Willie London, Beres Hammond, Shabba Ranks and Shaggy