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UB40's Lead Singer Releases Solo Album Running
Free, the new album from UB40's frontman Ali
Campbell, is a reggae-soul-pop tour de force. It
features The World's Greatest Rhythm Section, Sly
Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, collaborations with
some legendary singers and musicians, several
sublime cover versions, and the unique voice and
songwriting excellence of Mr Red Red Wine himself.
With so many famous names on the record, and so
many great songs, both originals and covers,
Running Free, only Ali's second solo album (the
follow-up to 1995's Big Love), is bound to
dominate the airwaves on its release. There will
even be a duet concert next year at the Royal
Albert Hall guest-starring the various singers who
appeared on the album, while every one of the
artists has been filmed for a special 'Making Of'
documentary for TV broadcast later this year.
Talking of Red Red Wine, Running Free is the
natural successor to UB40's best-loved album, the
appropriately titled Labour Of Love, on which
Birmingham's finest covered songs by their musical
idols in their own inimitable style. On Running
Free, Ali goes one better by inviting his musical
idols to sing with him.
"They were a joy to work with," says Ali of his
team-ups with soul icon Smokey Robinson and reggae
giants Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Ernest
Ranglin. It's not surprising that Ali is so
enthused: "This is a classic party record with
great people on it," he says. "And it's a bunch of
great songs."
True enough, every track on Running Free has
something to offer, whether it's partnerships with
some of music's all-time greats or collaborations
with no less talented though relative newcomers
from all areas of the contemporary music scene
such as Mick Hucknall, Bitty McLean, Beverley
Knight, Lemar and Katie Melua.
And each track, recorded at Jamaica's Anchor
studio and Eden in West London, is filled with
melodic delights. There's the version of Johnny
Nash's 1968 Top 5 hit, Hold Me Tight, whose
infectious skank has already been wowing audiences
across Europe. I'll Be Standing By, a cover of the
Al Green song, features guest vocals from Lemar
and is another superb example of lilting Lovers
Rock, the contrast between the sweet vocals and
tuff beats, plus the solid rhythms and crystalline
production, making this one of many contenders for
single release on Running Free.
The title track, a faster-paced original
composition, is a duet with UK soul diva Beverley
Knight, and the male/female vocals work superbly
well together. There are other boy-girl duets on
Running Free: Cold Around My Heart is an original
tune with a swooping, elegant melody. Don't Try
This At Home, another original song, this one
featuring Katie Melua, could also easily be lifted
off the album for single release, with its
infectious rhythm and pretty chord sequence.
Then the men get a chance to shine. On Would I Lie
To You, Bitty McLean, a former tape op at UB40's
Dep International studios, helps turn the Charles
& Eddie song, one of the most-admired latterday
soul tunes, into a beautiful slice of lilting
reggae.
Hallelujah Time, the Bob Marley song, is no less
than a Motown summit meeting, featuring as it does
vocal contributions from Smokey Robinson and
awaiting a vocal addition from Stevie Wonder .
Don't Go, a version of the Drifters song that he's
always wanted to cover, features Ali solo he even
does the basso profundo "don't go's"! It's another
great party tune.
I Want One Of Those is another original
composition, and shows Ali soaring gracefully over
the melody. There's a version of Smokey's 1981
Number 1 smash, Being With You, this time with
Mick Hucknall on the mic. Brave are the men who
tackle Stevie's vintage Village Ghetto Land ¬
step forward, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Ernest
Ranglin and Don Yute, with extra toasting from the
studio engineer's kids as Ali's social conscience
shines through. Finally, Ali's brother Robin joins
him for a poignant rendition of the Campbell boys'
childhood favourite, Devoted To You by the Everly
Brothers.
"There was no compromise," says Ali of Running
Free and the sense of freedom he enjoyed during
recording. "I was in control. I was as happy as a
pig in shit, working with my heroes. In fact, I
haven't been this excited about a record since
Labour Of Love."
Ali Campbell
Running Free - album release October 1st
Hold Me Tight -- single release September 24th
Running Free Track Listing 1. Hold Me
Tight
2. I'll Be Standing By feat. Lemar
3. Running Free feat. Beverley Knight
4. Cold Around My Heart
5. Don't Try This At Home feat. Katie Melua
6. Would I Lie To You feat. Bitty McLean
7. Hallelujah Time feat. Smokey Robinson & Stevie
Wonder
8. Don't Go
9. I Want One Of Those
10. Being With You feat. Mick Hucknall
11. Village Ghetto Land feat. Aston Barrett,
Ernest Ranglin & Don Yute
12. Devoted To You feat. Robin Campbell
http://www.alicampbell.net/
Tags : ub40 reggae |
