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For a U.K.-based group that spent their entire tenure paying homage to the great singers and songwriters of the Island Nation (Jamaica), the oft-scoffed-at UB40 pull off something of a coup with this unique reggae compilation. While most laypeople would only recognize UB40 from their early-'80s crossover mega-hit "Red Red Wine" and their numerous reggae covers of popular songs (Al Green's "Here I Am," Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love"), the group affirms their respect among the reggae community with this veritable who's who of the genre. With a track list culled from UB40's personal favorites and a slew of legendary toasters and famed producers (Sly & Robbie, Steely & Clevie, Fatta & Bulby) to treat them, there is good deal of magic here. Rocksteady's golden age is well-represented by the Mighty Diamonds on the groovily mystical "You Could Meet Somebody" and former Melodians frontman Brent Dowe's haunting rendition of "Silent Witness." More irie wisdom is delivered on Jackie Robinson's delightful "Don't Do the Crime" and Bob Andy's "Love Is All Is Alright." While the pace is slow and the mood is invariably mature, reggae lovers of varying levels of fandom will find much of value in the Fathers of Reggae collection. Not all the offerings are a cut above, including the aging Cool Ruler's (Gregory Isaacs) version of "Bring Me Your Cup," the altogether too-synthetic "Higher Ground" (Leroy Sibbles), and the surprisingly unmoving "Watchdogs" (by slack originator turned Rasta legend Max Romeo). However, on the strength of the amazing cache of reggae vocals alone (Toots Hibbert, Alton Ellis, Freddie McGregor, John Holt), this album is a unique work, but considering the occasional spotty songwriting in UB40's originals, the album doesn't always reach the lofty heights that the distinguished panel have attained in their storied careers.
© M.F. DiBella /TiVo
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Clevie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Steely, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - JAMES BROWN, Composer, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Mighty Diamonds, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Campbell, Composer, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Campbell, Composer, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Earl Falconer, Composer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Composer, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Virtue, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Terence Wilson, Composer, Producer - Norman Lamont Hassan, Composer, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Freddie McGregor, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sly & Robbie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Stephen Brown, ComposerLyricist - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gregory Isaacs, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynford "Fatta" Marshall, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin "Bulby" York, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Clevie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Steely, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Dowe, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Brown, ComposerLyricist - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Terrence Wilson, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Honey Boy, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Brownie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Composer, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sly & Robbie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Composer, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Campbell, Composer, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Earl Falconer, Composer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Composer, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Virtue, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Terence Wilson, Composer, Producer - Norman Lamont Hassan, Composer, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sly & Robbie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Robinson, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Stephen Brown, ComposerLyricist - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Max Romeo, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynford "Fatta" Marshall, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Stephen Brown, ComposerLyricist - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin "Bulby" York, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Andy, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynford "Fatta" Marshall, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin "Bulby" York, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEN BOOTHE, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Brown, ComposerLyricist - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Danny Brownie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Terrence Wilson, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Astro, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Stephen Brown, ComposerLyricist - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Danny Brownie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Winston Groovy, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Clevie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Steely, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Hassan, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, MainArtist - Leroy Sibbles, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Stephen Brown, ComposerLyricist - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Holt, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sly & Robbie, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Terence Wilson, Producer - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - UB40, Author, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JAMES BROWN, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Campbell, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ali Campbell, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Toots Hibbert, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Earl Falconer, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Brian Travers, Producer, Horn Arranger, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Virtue, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terence Wilson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Norman Lamont Hassan, Producer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - UB40, MainArtist - Gerry Parchment, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynford "Fatta" Marshall, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Hussey, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Travers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Sprigg, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Colin "Bulby" York, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2002 DEP International under exclusive licence to Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
For a U.K.-based group that spent their entire tenure paying homage to the great singers and songwriters of the Island Nation (Jamaica), the oft-scoffed-at UB40 pull off something of a coup with this unique reggae compilation. While most laypeople would only recognize UB40 from their early-'80s crossover mega-hit "Red Red Wine" and their numerous reggae covers of popular songs (Al Green's "Here I Am," Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love"), the group affirms their respect among the reggae community with this veritable who's who of the genre. With a track list culled from UB40's personal favorites and a slew of legendary toasters and famed producers (Sly & Robbie, Steely & Clevie, Fatta & Bulby) to treat them, there is good deal of magic here. Rocksteady's golden age is well-represented by the Mighty Diamonds on the groovily mystical "You Could Meet Somebody" and former Melodians frontman Brent Dowe's haunting rendition of "Silent Witness." More irie wisdom is delivered on Jackie Robinson's delightful "Don't Do the Crime" and Bob Andy's "Love Is All Is Alright." While the pace is slow and the mood is invariably mature, reggae lovers of varying levels of fandom will find much of value in the Fathers of Reggae collection. Not all the offerings are a cut above, including the aging Cool Ruler's (Gregory Isaacs) version of "Bring Me Your Cup," the altogether too-synthetic "Higher Ground" (Leroy Sibbles), and the surprisingly unmoving "Watchdogs" (by slack originator turned Rasta legend Max Romeo). However, on the strength of the amazing cache of reggae vocals alone (Toots Hibbert, Alton Ellis, Freddie McGregor, John Holt), this album is a unique work, but considering the occasional spotty songwriting in UB40's originals, the album doesn't always reach the lofty heights that the distinguished panel have attained in their storied careers.
© M.F. DiBella /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 01:01:56
- Main artists: UB40
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Records
- Genre: World Reggae
© 2002 DEP International This Compilation ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
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