UB40 Labour of Love IV

Last updated 11:05 04/03/2010

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UB40 have managed to find more old reggae and soul hits for their latest Labour of Love, which is likely to be the last, and it's a good place to unveil a new lineup.

They've lost two founding members, one of them frontman Ali Campbell, who's been replaced by his brother Duncan – he has a similar voice, but without that occasionally annoying nasal whine (he reportedly turned down an offer to join the band when they started out).

He shares vocal duties with brother Robin and bassist Earl Falconer, whose perfectly adequate tones are inexplicably phased, teeny-pop style, for Tracks Of My Tears.

Everything else is as expected, the drum machine and poppy keyboards underpinning the lads' distinctive brand of reggae lite.

They pull it off well in their best inoffensive style with Don't Want To See You Cry, True, True, True and Baby Why, but Get Along Without You Now, Holiday and Close To Me drift along a bit too casually.

And who could ever hope to top Massive Attack's take on Man Next Door? But Duncan Campbell's voice makes a nice change, and they're chugging along nicely as though nothing has changed.

I may become a fan yet.

Best tracks: Bring It On Home To Me, You're Gonna Need Me.

  • Reviewed by Nick Ward. CDs for review supplied by Everyman, Nelson

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