Title
Artist
Label
Format
Date

 Labour Of Love IV
UB40
EMI
CD
February 4, 2010

Track list
  1. Don't Want To See You Cry
  2. Get Along Without You Now
  3. Bring It On Home To Me
  4. Cream Puff
  5. Easy Snappin'
  6. Holiday
  7. Close To Me
  8. Man Next Door
  9. Tracks Of My Tears
  10. True, True, True
  11. Boom Shaka Lacka
  12. You're Gonna Need Me
  13. A Love I Can Feel
  14. Baby Why
Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor)
Vocals : 3 Backing : 3 Production : 3 Sound quality : 5 Sleeve : 4
The story of UB40 is well known. It's the most successful UK reggae band and they managed to release nuff nuff hitsingles and hitalbums. In 1983 they started their 'Labour of Love' series, with a number one album and number one single 'Red, Red Wine'. In the 80s they released three 'Labour Of Love' albums and now they come up with 'Labour Of Love IV', the first album to feature Duncan Campbell on lead vocals, since Ali has left the band to pursue a solo career. The album continues what has become a kind of passion for the band; to share their love of reggae classics, and so the album comprises cover versions taken from Jamaica's musical heritage and some do-overs of soul standards.

We are treated to a decent version of Delroy Wilson's Close To Me, two tunes originally done by John Holt I Don't Want To See You Cry and Man Next Door and a too poppy version of The Melodians Get Along Without You Now. There's also an acceptable version of Holiday by The Paragons. Smokey Robinson's Tracks Of My Tears makes no impression and the same goes for Easy Snappin'. A Love I Can Feel and True, True, True make a positive impression.

To be honest, we are not pleased with UB40's latest effort. Former lead vocalist Ali Campbell's vocal delivery is sorely missed and the lack of inspiration is clearly tangible.