Here you can find archived news items from previous years.

Do note this archived news page WON'T be updated anymore!

August 11, 2006 UB40 World tour UB40 have announced additional tourdates for the summer of 2006. The band was out in the UK woods this summer as part of the Forestry Commission's Annual Forest Tour. UB40 also played several other dates in the UK, the Netherlands and even recently at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica! It was the 1st time that UB40 performed in Jamaica! The band are now doing the Sunsplash Tour with Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest and others. Later this year the band performs at the Dutch Night Of The Proms. More info on the tourdates here.

February 26, 2006 UB40 live in your living room! UB40 have recorded each performance of the Who You Fighting For 25 Years of Hits 2005 tour! The recordings are now available on double CD and can be ordered from UB40's web shop. Order your live CD's here. Following is a sampling of some of the contents/setlists of the double CDs. Ahoy 13 december 2005, Rotterdam, the Netherlands 1) intro 2) food for thought 3) Who you fighting for? 4) Homely Girl 5) Kiss And Say Goodbye 6) Come Back Darling 7) Kingston Town 8) Don't Do The Crime 9) Don't Let It Pass You By 10) You could meet somebody 11) The Pillow 12) Red Red Wine 13) After Tonight 14) Bring Me Your Cup 15) Good situation 16) Higher ground 17) Folitician 18) I shot the sheriff (with The Wailers) 19) Sing Our Own Song 20) Here I Am (Come and take me) 21) I Can't Help Falling In Love 22) Maybe Tomorrow / Anything mi chat 23) One In Ten NEC 21 december 2005, Birmingham, UK 1) (intro) 2) Food for thought 3) Who you fighting for? 4) Homely Girl 5) Kiss And Say Goodbye 6) Come Back Darling 7) Kingston Town 8) Don't Do The Crime 9) Don't Let It Pass You By 10) You could meet somebody 11) Reasons (with Hunterz & Dohl blasters) 12) Red Red Wine 13) Bling Bling 14) After Tonight 15) Bring Me Your Cup 16) Good situation 17) Higher ground 18) Folitician 19) I shot the sheriff (with The Wailers) 20) Sing Our Own Song 21) Here I Am (Come and take me) 22) I Can't Help Falling In Love 23) Maybe Tomorrow / Anything mi chat 24) One In Ten

February 26, 2006 Dub Specimen volume one Jimmy and Earl first solo project, 12 tracks of modern and old skool dub mixed and produced by Groove Corporation (G Corp) was released on February 1st. Two tracks of the album were already released on a various artists CD titled "Garden Zadar Compilation" (on Matrix / Menart label). The Dub Specimen project was mentioned in one of UB40's tour books a few years ago and we at 2-DuB are pleased it is finally seeing its official release this year! Tracks previously mentioned to be included on the album are: Independent girl (featuring Jackie Deane) Bitter sweet (featuring Nina Bedwig) Journey (featuring Jacko Peake) No stoppin' (feat Messenjah Douglas & Early B) Old skool (featuring Roberto Cimmerosti) Eternity (featuring Jacko Peake) Travel the world (featuring Nina Bedwig & Lady Saw) Only one way (featuring Messenjah Douglas) Burn (featuring Junior Sam and Jaffa) Order the "Dub Specimen volume one" album here!

Bling Bling EMI will release UB40's new single "Bling Bling" on November 21st in the Netherlands only. B-side of the single will be a dub version of "Reasons".

 

Who You Fighting For EMI will release UB40's new single "Who You Fighting For" on November 14th in the UK only. The single will be available as digital download only! This is a first for UB40. A radio dub mix will also be available for download

 

Milk & Honey Recently discovered but already released last June is a new duet by Ali Campbell and reggae artist Luciano. The song, "Milk & Honey", is released in Japan only on the Sly & Robbie album "Love Sound - Rhythm Remains The Same". The album is out on Victor Music, catalog number VICP-63058.

 

The Best Of UB40 - Volumes 1 and 2 Virgin are to release a double cd with The Best Of Volumes 1 and 2 originally released in 1987 and 1995. Catalog number will be 3407602 / DEPDDX2 (094634076029). Release date is November 14th. Tracklisting is as follows CD 1: 1 Food For Thought 2 King 3 My Way Of Thinking 4 The Earth Dies Screaming 5 Dream A Lie 6 Don't Let It Pass You By 7 Don't Slow Down 8 1 In 10 9 Red Red Wine 10 Please Dont Make Me Cry 11 Many Rivers To Cross 12 Cherry Oh Baby 13 If It Happens Again 14 I Got You Babe 15 Dont Break My Heart 16 Sing Our Own Song 17 Rat In Mi Kitchen 18 Maybe Tomorrow    CD 2: 1 Breakfast In Bed 2 Where Did I Go Wrong? 3 I Would Do For You 4 Homely Girl 5 Here I Am 6 Kingston Town 7 Wear You To The Ball 8 Can't Help Falling In Love 9 Higher Ground 10 Bring Me Your Cup 11 C'est La Vie 12 Reggae Music 13 Superstition 14 Until My Dying Day 15 Swing Low 16 Kiss And Say Goodbye

 

Blood & Fire Ali and Robin Campbell's biography titled "Blood & Fire" has been released on October 6th. The biography is published by Century Publishing, ISBN 1844137023. We're pleased to announce that both Ali & Robin and the writers Paul Gorman and Tim Abbott have asked 2-DuB to work with them checking the book and we got a mention in the acknowledgements! You can order the book online from Amazon.co.uk and Play.com.

 

Legends Live UB40 agreed to do a special one off, up close and personal gig called Capital Gold Legends Live at the Cafe De Paris. The gig was in London for 300 people on Wednesday August 31st, 2005 (original date was Thursday 7th July 2005, but postponed due to London bombings). Tickets could only be won through a competition on Capital Gold or through the official UB40 website. See some exclusive video shot by 2-DuB (.avi files)! - If It Happens Again at Cafe De Paris - Ali Campbell in the crowd at Cafe De Paris - Reasons at Cafe De Paris - Reasons at Cafe De Paris (part 2) The gig has been recorded and was mixed at DEP International airing on Capital Gold! The gig was aired on Sunday October 2nd at 7 pm UK Time. Check Capital Gold for more details. A video for the Capital Gold website has also been produced. Tracks as follows: - Here I Am (Come And Take Me) - If It Happens Again - The Way You Do - Homely Girl - Come On Darling - One In Ten - Who You Fighting For? - Bling Bling - Please Don t Make Me Cry - Kingston Town - Good Situation - After Tonight - Cherry Oh Baby - Higher Ground - Kiss And Say Goodbye - Reasons - Wear You To The Ball - Rat In Mi Kitchen - Red, Red Wine - Can't Help Falling In Love - Food For Thought - Keep On Moving - Maybe Tomorrow See the Windows Media Player video here from Sunday October 2nd.

 

Top Of The Pops A new Dutch DVD was released by MMC/BNN on August 28, 2005. The DVD is a collection of the archives of Top Of The Pops from the last 40 years. UB40 are on the DVD with their Christmas performance of "Red Red Wine".

 

Food For Thought ZYX/RoJam in Germany released the 2003/2004 mixes of Food For Thought done by Stylus Junkies and DJ Pezario with some additional versions. A cd-single and a 12" has been released. Catalog number of the cd-single is ZYX 9908-8. An addional promotional white label 12" has been released on the German Wicked Disco Diamond label. Catalog number WDD033. 1 Stylus Junkies (Radio Mix) 2 Radio Edit 3 Stylus Junkies Balearic 12" Edit 4 Stylus Junkies Balearic 7" Edit 5 DJ Pezario Club Dub 12" Mix 6 Extended Radio Mix

 

German Radio Awards UB40 won the German Radio Awards for best Radio Gold Act of 2005 on September 2nd! Congratulations guys! Hear some of the footage broadcast over the internet (mp3, bad quality): - Ali and Brian acceptence speach - Kiss And Say Goodbye performance

 

Legends Live UB40 agreed to do a special one off, up close and personal gig called Capital Gold Legends Live at the Cafe De Paris. The gig was in London for 300 people on Wednesday August 31st, 2005 (original date was Thursday 7th July 2005, but postponed due to London bombings). Tickets could only be won through a competition on Capital FM or through the official UB40 website. The gig has been recorded and was mixed at DEP International for a future airing on Capital FM! More news as it comes. Meanwhile see some exclusive video shot by 2-DuB (.avi files)! - If It Happens Again at Cafe De Paris - Ali Campbell in the crowd at Cafe De Paris - Reasons at Cafe De Paris - Reasons at Cafe De Paris (part 2)

 

Reasons UB40 released their new single "Reasons" on August 29th in the UK. A european release is to follow by the end of September. The single features Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters. Before its release the track has been aired on BRMB radio on July 11th. A promo one track CD with the radio edit has also been released. The single is released in two different formats, a 2 and a 3 track single. Part 1 (2-tracks), cat no. DEP60 1) Reasons (Radio Remix) 2) Reasons (Dub) Part 2 (enhanced CD), cat no. DEPDX60 1) Reasons (Radio Remix) 2) Reasons (Dub) 3) One Woman Man 4) Reasons (video)

 

Live 8 UB40 played at wonderful medley at Live 8, London. Tracks played were: - Food For Thought - Who You Fighting For - Reasons - Red Red Wine - Can't Help Falling In Love

 

Kiss and say goodbye UB40 released their new single "Kiss And Say Goodbye" on June 3rd in Holland and June 6th in the UK. Before its release the track has been aired on BRMB radio and a 1-track promo had been released (DEP DJ 59). The single is released in two different formats, a 2 and a 4 track single. Part 1 (2-tracks), cat no. 00946 33 02072 8 (European edition) 1) Kiss And Say Goodbye 2) Gotta Tell Someone Part 1 (2-tracks), cat no. 3302082 / DEPD59 (UK edition) 1) Kiss And Say Goodbye 2) Gotta Tell Someone Part 2 (enhanced cd), cat no. DEPDX59 1) Kiss And Say Goodbye 2) Gotta Tell Someone 3) Shotta Dub 4) Kiss And Say Goodbye (video)

 

Who You Fighting For UB40 have finished their new studio album "Who You Fighting For" which was released June 13, 2005 in the UK and the Netherlands., June 27 in Australia and June 21 in Canada. The album has 13 tracks including several own compositions aswell as some of UB40's favourites. Catalog number for the album is DEP CD 23 / 094631211409. The Japanese release has catalog number TOCP-66398. A special edition (DEP CD X23) with a bonus DVD is released also. Tracks on the album are: 1) Who you fighting for 2) After Tonight (Matumbi cover, 1976) 3) Bling Bling 4) Plenty More 5) War Poem 6) Sins of the Father 7) Good Situation 8) Gotta Tell Someone 9) Reasons (ft. Hunterz and The Dholl Blasters) 10) One Woman Man 11) I'll Be On My Way (Lennon/McCartney cover, 1963) 12) Kiss And Say Goodbye (Manhattans cover, 1976) 13) Things You Say You Love (the Jamaicans cover, 1967) Tracks on the DVD with the album are: 1) Who you fighting for 2) After Tonight (Matumbi cover, 1976) 3) Kiss And Say Goodbye (Manhattans cover, 1976) 4) Reasons (ft. Hunterz and The Dholl Blasters) 5) Sins of the Father 6) War Poem 7) Plenty More 8) Bling Bling 9) Things You Say You Love (the Jamaicans cover, 1967) The band did record a version of the Beatles "I'll Be Back" also during their recording sessions (they recorded over 30 new tracks) but decided to go for another Lennon/McCartney composition. The extra tracks on the singles will comprise of dubs from the never released album "Summer Dub". A 6 track promo sampler was released (DEP CD DJ 29) also, as also a video and dvd to promote Who You Fighting For featuring an interview with several bandmembers. This video also features footage of the band playing "I'll Be On My Way".

 

Who You Fighting For Tour (25 Years Of Hits) With their new album coming and UB40's 25 Years in The Business a new tour is happening. UB40 already performed at the Royal Albert Hall on April 8th in London (UK), and performed earlier March 26/27/28th at the HMH in Amsterdam (Netherlands). UB40 also played at a private venue for Coca Cola executives of South Africa in Dubai, where UB40 performed with Shaggy. The band played a festival on May 8th at Saint Lucia Jazz Festival (Carribbean) and played at the end of July in Denmark (Langeland Festival), Portugal, Switzerland and Belgium and on August 2 in Bonn (Germany). The band also played at Live 8 on July 2nd performing a medley of their songs. A UK tour will be happening by the end of this year, ticket sales have begun for this already. Be sure to checkout the official website for confirmed dates!

 

Oracabessa Records The label, founded by Ali & Brian, worked on a 2-CD compilation "Oracabessa (12 inch biz, dubplates, remixes and definitives)" with new remixes and the selection also includes some of the older 12" releases now on CD format. The album was released January 2005 with catalog number CD SC 2018 on the Select Cuts / EFA label. The album has been released in Singapore with the title "Nu Skool Excursion" by EQ Music. The USA release is now also available. Tracklisting: Oracabessa - CD 1 1. Elephant Man - Run Lef Dem Drawers (Bulby & Fatta's Mixing Lab vibe) 4:05 2. Crissy D & Lady G - Girls Like Us (Oracabessa Remix) 3:58 3. Lady Saw - Freak Break (Scratch Fever Mix B-15) 5:26 4. Musical Sniper - Party Tonight (Nu Skool Players Remix) 6:41 5. Culture Black - Under my Guiness (Dub) 5:12 6. Nu Skool Players - Double Rum 4:39 7. Mr. Vegas - Western End (B-15 Remix) 3:16 8. Don Yute - Jonkonoo Twist (Nu Skool Players Remix) 6:27 9. Rappa Robert - Paradise Syndrome 4:38 10. Tony Curtis - Party Time (Ali Campbell/Brian Travers Mix) 5:37 11. Campbell Brothers feat. Oracabessa Allstars - Village Ghettoland 4:49 12. Rappa Robert - No Joking Thing 4:05 13. Rappa Robert - Peace In The Dance (King Louis Dub) 5:14 14. Rappa Robert - Downhearted People (dub) 4:33 Oracabessa - CD 2 1. Tony Curtis - Party Time (Nu Skool Players Remix) 5:52 2. Mr.Vegas - Western End (B-15«s Ju Ju Dub) 5:33 3. Crissy D & Lady G - Girls Like Us (B-15 Remix) 5:55 4. Culture Black - 2 Mill US ( B15 Dub) 5:57 5. Rappa Robert - Paradise (dub) 4:25 6. Don Yute - Bounce Ya Head Back (Nu Skool Players Remix) 5:45 7. Musical Sniper - Peace In The Dance (Nu Skool Players Remix) 5:58 8. Elephant Man - Run Lef Dem Drawers (Nu Skool Players Remix) 5:39 9. Rappa Robert - Rough Up Dub 4:33 10. Rappa Robert - Downhearted People (2 dub) 5:17 11. Musical Sniper - Peace In The Dance (Vocals) 4:05 2004 and older info below.... Die 90er Show A new DVD was released by EMI Music and RTL in Germany on November 11th 2004. The DVD is a collection of the archives of "Die 90er Show" from 1990-1999. UB40 are on the DVD with "Kingston Town".   40 years of Top Of The Pops A new DVD was released by the BBC on November 8. The DVD is a collection of the archives of Top Of The Pops from the last 40 years. UB40 are on the DVD with their Christmas performance of "Red Red Wine".   5099751782971 40 Jaar TOP 40: 1985 - 1986 A new DVD was released by de Top 40 on October 12. The DVD is a collection of hits from 1985 to 1986 and contains various artists. UB40 are on the DVD with their songvideo "Sing Our Own Song". The DVD is a Dutch release on the Universal/Sony label.   Quids4Kids fundraising 2004 The new charity for this years fundraising events was the "Purkal Youth Development Society", raising money to educate the very poorest children in Rajpur, northern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. These kids travel 2 hours each way to get an education, something we all take for granted. This is a very worthy charity that UB40's Brian Travers is involved with himself. This years event again had Chat-A-Ton and auction with various UB40 items in May. An additional auction was being held now until October 31st. For all info on the event visit the Quids4Kids website here.    WNRD2260 / ISBN 3-937308-34-2 UB40 at Rockpalast A new UB40 DVD is released on the WDR Fernsehen / Studio Hamburg label from Germany. Its already available in Germany and the Netherlands. Wienerworld Ltd are distributing the DVD in the UK, to be released there in November 2004. Contents of the DVD are UB40 recorded live in Cologne in July 1981 and at the Loreley in August 1982 for the Rockpalast series. See pictures and full setlist of these concerts at Rockpalast Archiv. Sound on the DVD is available in the original stereo as also a mixed Dolby 5.1. The DVD is region 2, PAL format.   The Box Dutch TV channel The Box, where you can request to view songvideos on demand, have 2 clips from the "Homegrown Live In Holland" DVD in their listing, "Red Red Wine" (clip 638) and "Rat In Mi Kitchen" (clip 257). "Red Red Wine" was a new entry at number 20 in their Clip Charts (week 33, August 2004)!   Homegrown In Holland Live The 2003 concerts at the Ahoy (the Netherlands) on December 11th and 12th were filmed for the latest UB40 DVD! Additional footage, a live performance of "Swing Low" was filmed at the NEC in Birmingham on December 22 and 23, 2003. The DVD was officially released at the DVD launch party in Birmingham on the 27th of May, with a UK release of May 31st, and a Dutch release of May 28th. The DVD is now also available in Australia and an Asian (Chinese) release is also on the market. The USA/Canada have a Region 1 release, available since September 14th, 2004. The DVD has audio in Dolby Stereo as also Dolby 5.1 and DTS Surround and video in 16:9. The DVD is released by Warner Music Vision who also released "The UB40 Story Of Reggae". A promo DVD of "Homegrown in Holland" is also released and this has a 3 page presskit. Have a look at the Dutch TV Commercial here (3.4 Mb mpeg file). Tracks include: Present Arms / One In Ten / Keep On Moving / Maybe Tomorrow (Anything Mi Chat) / So Destructive / Young Guns / Please Don't Make Me Cry / Someone Like Me / Grooving / Rudie / Freestyler/ I Love It When You Smile/ I Knew You / Here I Am (Come And Take Me) / Rat In Mi Kitchen / Wear You To The Ball / Red Red Wine / Cant Help Falling In Love Encore tracks: Food For Thought / The Way You Do The Things You Do / Cherry Oh Baby / Kingston Town The DVD also has some bonus features: Interviews with the band including track-by-track commentary. Behind the scenes footage including an in-depth look at the roll of the band's backline crew and wardrobe/stylist. Bonus Track: "Swing Low (Sweet Chariot)" filmed at the NEC Birmingham in front of members of the victorious England Rugby Team. Interview with Martin Johnson and Dorian West of the England World Cup winners rugby team. Photo Gallery featuring 12 exclusive shots of the band.   The Monster Club 1980's movie "The Monster Club" with Vincent Price has been given a DVD release. UB40's musical track "25%" is on the soundtrack in a different version from "Signing Off". Interesting thing is that the 1981 soundtrack LP again features a different version of "25%". The version used in the movie comes from the LP "Bouncing In The Red - A Birmingham Compilation" on EMI, 1980.   Summer dub Ali & Astro have been working at the mixing desk on behalf of UB40 to create a new ub40 album. It's a DUB album mixed from tracks off "Cover up" and "Homegrown". The working title is "Summer dub" and there is talk of making it available exclusively through the UB40 web site (it will be a "white label" rarity), 14 cuts of groovy summertime tracks, all instruments lovingly played by the members of UB40. No news yet if this album will ever be released.   Food 4 Thought (Premadonna remixes) A new version of "Food For Thought" has been recorded by Stylus Junkies / DJ Pezario and was released Oracabessa Records and distributed by Amato Distribution Ltd. The 12" maxi-single catalog number is UBTP1. Promos of this 12" come with a press sheet. The tracktimes are 5m48s on side 1 (DJ Pezario mix), 5m51s and 3m42s on side 2 (Stylus Junkies Mixes). The regular CD-single format (catalog number UBCS001) and the regular 12" single were also announced. We have no info yet if the single will eventually be released. So far the single can be downloaded from legal MP3 sites and one of the versions was released as B-side on a 12" by Reflex Muzic "The Sound Of Reflex Volume 1.0". CD-single contents: 1. Food For Thought [Stylus Junkies Balearic 7 Inch Edit] 2. Food For Thought [Stylus Junkies Balearic 12 Inch Mix] 3. Food For Thought [Stylus Junkies Alternative Mix] 4. Food For Thought [DJ Pezario Club Dub Mix] 5. Food For Thought [DJ Pezario 7 Inch Edit] 12"-single contents: 1. Food For Thought [Stylus Junkies Balearic 12 Inch Mix] 2. Food For Thought [Stylus Junkies Balearic 7 Inch Edit] 3. Stylus Junkies [DJ Pezario Dub Mix] A six track promotional CD (which only has 5 tracks) has been released in 2003 on Oracabessa featuring the following mixes: - Stylus Junkies Balearic Radio Edit - DJ Pezario Radio Edit - Stylus Junkies Balearic Club Mix - DJ Pezario Club Mix - Stylus Junkies Alternative Radio Edit - DJ Pezario Dub Mix Visit the Stylus Junkies website here. Listen to a sound sample here. Download the presskit here. The DJ Pezario version can also be found on the January 2004 edition of DMC's DJ Only compilation CD (catalog number DJOCD059).   Elephant Man's "Run Lef Dem Drawers" has already been given the remix treatment and is available on the Select Cuts / EFA label from Germany. The 12" has 2 remixes and has catalog numbers SC6070 / EFA 33470-6 (7 18753 34706 7). The original mix of "Run Lef Dem Drawers" was produced and mixed by Ali and Brian back in 1998. This 12" is limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

 

Star Company / Maximum Boost James and Earl are planning on releasing a dub album titled "Dub Specimen Volume One" in the summer. Several guest artists have been mentioned including Beres Hammond and Chaka Khan. More news as it comes!

 

Get Busy UB40's "Red Red Wine" riddim has been used by Daddy K to remix Sean Paul's "Get Busy". The 12" has been released on the French Daddy K/RMB label, catalog number DK12, titled "Daddy K present Ragga RMX- Volume 12".

 

Every Breath You Take UB40 recorded a version of the Police classic "Every Breath You Take" for the soundtrack of the movie "50 First Dates" with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore! The movie premiered a day before Valentines Day 2004 (in the USA) and will later be shown in Europe, check for release dates here. The band also filmed video footage at the Ahoy in Rotterdam to maybe be included on the future DVD release for this movie. The DVD is to come out in Canada/USA (Region 1) on June 15th, 2004, and so far it seems that the video shot at the Ahoy won't be featured. It might be featured as an "easter egg" though. The soundtrack album "Love Songs from the Original Motion Picture: 50 First Dates" was released on Maverick Records on February 3rd, 2004. Catalog number is 48675. The soundtrack includes the following songs: 1.  Your Love (L.O.V.E. Reggae Mix) - Wyclef Jean/Eve 2.  True - Will.I.Am/Fergie 3.  Drive - Ziggy Marley 4.  Every Breath You Take- UB40 5.  Ghost In You - Mark McGrath 6.  Slave To Love - Elan Atias/Gwen Stefani 7.  Hold Me Now - Wayne Wonder 8.  Love Song - 311 9.  Lips Like Sugar - Seal/Mickey Dread 10.  Friday, I'm In Love - Dryden Mitchell 11.  I Melt With You - Jason Mraz 12.  Breakfast In Bed - Nicole Kea 13.  Forgetful Lucy - Adam Sandler

   

Her mit dem schönen Leben German record label Al Dente Recordz has released a double cd "Her mit dem schönen Leben" featuring UB40's "Rudie (Hold It Down)" with Bantu & Gentleman, and also Gregory Isaacs & Don Abi's song "Reason For Love" (on the Rudie riddim). Both songs were previously released as 7" on the Nitty Gritty Music label. Cataloge number of this double CD is AD 09 / 5099751353223.

 

Kingston Town UB40's 1989 hit "Kingston Town" has been given the remix treatment by the 89-ers. A 3-track 12" has been released on the Alpha Plus label from Germany. Catalog number is ABCD0332. Mixes are "Rave Reggae Mix.", "Rave Mix" and "Original Mix". The song uses an actual sample of the UB40 version but uses new vocals and techno house keyboards and drum patterns.

 
Swing Low
"Swing Low" is the 1st single of the new "Homegrown"album. There are two single releases available in the stores. A one track promo CDR has been released by EMI/Virgin in the UK with two different sleeves. A normal promo CD is also available. DEP DJ 58.

A new World Cup 2003 version of the song was released on December 8th, 2003 celebrating England winning the Rugby World Cup! It features the new song video and the song mixed with audiocommentary of the final rugby game England vs Australia which England won. A promo for this version has also been released on EMI / Virgin UK.

Catalogue number DEP DX 58. 7243 5 53107 0 5 - Swing Low - World Cup Winners Mix - Swing Low - Stadium Mix - Swing Low - Enhanced Video

Promo.   - Swing Low - World Cup Winners Mix - Swing Low - Stadium Mix

Do visit The Raft, Artists & Labels UB40 section, to see the "Swing Low" song videos in full!
You can also checkout the Virgin Music Germany website for the song first release of the songvideo.

Catalogue number DEP X 58. 7243 5 53107 2 9 - Swing Low - So Destructive Dub

Catalogue number DEP D 58. 7243 5 53122 0 4 - Swing Low - Swing Low - Acapella - Swing Low - Neil Perch Mix - Swing Low - Enhanced Video

Promo CDR   - Swing Low

UB40 with United Colours of Sound performed "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" on the pitch at Twickenham before the England vs. France friendly on September 6th which was televised live on Sky Sports 1 from 5:30 pm UK time.

True Colours - The World In Union

The version UB40 did of "Swing Low" also appears on the various artists Rugby World Cup album "True Colours - The World In Union" (catalogue number 561273 / VTCD537) which was released October 20th on Virgin TV/EMI in the UK. The album has also been released in many other countries with catalog number 7243 5 93426 2 7.
 

UB40's album "Homegrown" UB40 finished writing and recording their new studio album with the title "Homegrown", a follow-up to "Fathers". Several tracks were mixed by Neil Perch who also helped mixing the German Rudie (Hold It Down) single. The album is released on November 3rd of 2003 in the UK and available in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. European catalogue number is 7243 5 93124 2 2, and the Japanese catalogue number is VJCP-68566. UK catalog number is DEP CD 22 / 7243 5 92468 2 6. A UK promo has been released on CDR (with two different sleeves) as also the German promo CDR with the extra track "Rudie (Hold It Down)". A UK CD promo has also been released on Virgin/EMI with catalog number CD DEPDJ22. Additionaly a promo video has been made featuring a 31 minute interview. A promotional interview CD, with sound from the video, has also been released on Virgin Records. Both releases were send to magazines and TV stations for additional reference to review the new album, they were not for broadcast. Listen to a recent interview with Earl and Brian on the BBC. Tracklisting of Homegrown: - So Destructive (5m13s) - I knew you (4m34s) - Drop On By (4m23s) - Someone Like Me (3m10s) - Freestyler (5m12s) - Everything Is Better Now (5m01s) - Just Be Good To Eachother (Bushman dub) (4m59s) - Young Guns (4m20s) - Hand That Rocks The Cradle (4m09s) - Nothing Without You (3m54s) - Nothing Without You (Dub) (3m04s) - Swing Low (featuring United Colours Of Sound) (3m28s) The German version of "Homegrown" (catalog number 7243 5 95232 2 4) has one extra track "Rudie (Hold It Down)" featuring Bantu & Gentleman. The French version of "Homegrown" (catalog number 7243 5 95754 2 1) has one extra track "Young Guns" featuring Alpha Blondy.

 

The Collection DVD An NTSC version of The Collection DVD was released in Japan on September 26, 2003 by Toshiba-EMI. Catalogue number is TOBW 3123 and contents is simular to the European and Canadian 2002 releases.

 

The Very Best Of UB40 The Very Best Of UB40, 1980-2000 is now released in China/Taiwan on the HDCD format audio CD. This format has a slightly higher sample rate and claims to have better sound. It can be played on any normal CD-player. Copies can be found on Ebay. Catalog number is 725684796246. Tracklisting is simular to the regular European version released in 2000. The Best Of UB40 (Volumes one and two on a double CD) has already been released in Taiwan on this same HDCD format.

 

Strictly Roots EMI released a various artists reggae sampler on August 4th, 2003 named "Strictly Roots". The sampler contains two UB40 tracks namely "Sweet Sensation" and "Love Is All Is Alright" featuring Bob Andy. Catalogue number is 7243 5 91558 2 1

 

French Labour Of Love I, II & III with bonus A special French edition was released on July 29th and features a 3-track bonus disc featuring Couvre La (with Nuttea), Cover Up and Cover Up (with Ringo Madlingozi). Catalogue number 7243 5 84778 2 5 and the bonus disc 7243 5 92625 2 9.

Reggae that inspired UB40 Smith & Co. released a new reggae compilation CD in June 2003 with the title "Reggae that inspired UB40". Catalogue number SCCD-1008. Its a really nice compilation with tracks covered by UB40 on their Labour Of Love series. Tracklisting: 01 Bob Marley - Small Axe 02 The Blues Busters - Here I am (come and take me) 03 Hopeton Lewis - Groovin' 04 The Slickers - Johnny too bad 05 The Melodians - Sweet sensation 06 Eric Donaldson - The way you do the things you do 07 The Paragons - Wear you to the ball 08 Tony Tribe - Red red wine 09 Bob Marley - Keep on moving 10 John Holt - Stick by me 11 Teddy Davis - Tears from my eyes 12 Winston Groovy - Please don't make me cry 13 Honey Boy - Impossible love 14 Eric Donaldson - Cherry oh baby 15 Lord Creator - Kingston town 16 Honey Boy - Sweet cherry 17 Sonny Bradshaw - Singer man 18 The Paragons - Sparkle of my eyes 19 Niney The Observer - Blood & Fire 20 Bob Marley - Soul Rebel 21 Johnny Clarke - Legalize it 22 Jimmy Cliff - Many rivers to cross

 

Rudie Riddim The Rudie (Hold It Down) collaboration which UB40 did with Bantu & Gentleman has already caused an international sensation in the reggae scene. Jamaican artists such as Beenie Man have also recorded their own version of the song. They are released worldwide by the indie-label Nitty Gritty from Cologne and can be ordered from Sound Quake or the label Nitty Gritty Music itself, both from Germany. The following 7"-singles are released: NG 09912 2101-0 (NG-dep 01) - Gentleman, Bantu & UB40 "Rudie" - Dubdadda "Who is the terrorist" NG 09912 2102-0 (NG-dep 02) - Beenie Man and Calibe "World Peace" - UB40 and Neil Perch "Rudie (version)" NG 09912 2103-0 (NG-dep 03) - Jack Raddics "Take It Easy" - Alton Ellis "Over And Over" NG 09912 2104-0 (NG-dep 04) - Gregory Isaacs and Don Abi "Reason For Love" - Tippa Irie "Praises"

CD-single CD-single promo

Rudie (Hold it down) Virgin Records Germany and Brothers Keepers announced a new version of UB40's "Rudie" featuring Bantu & Gentleman. The single was released on June 23, 2003 in Germany, Austria and Swiss only, on Virgin Records. Zion Trains' Neil Perch does the mixing. The CD-single (7243 5 47283 0 3) includes Rudie (Hold It Down), Rudie (remix by Neil Perch), Rudie Dub and C'est La Vie (Tony Kelly remix featuring Toots Hibbert). The song video is also added on the cd-single in Apple QuickTime format. A promo version of the CD-single (VGP 000493) is also available with 3 versions of Rudie (Hold It Down). Two versions differ from the normal CD-single versions! Be sure to order the single in time as its a limited edition limited to 20,000 copies only. Signed cover special If you bought the single and wanted to have a signed copy you could send in your sleeve to Virgin Germany (until August 1, 2003) and they would send a signed copy back! Press info Download in Word format in English or German language. Interviews and media coverage Ali Campbell and Astro did an interview on Jam-FM radio on June 23rd and appeared on German ZDF televisions' program Leute-Heute on Monday June 30th. The band were scheduled to perform on the German "Starsearch" show aired by SAT-1 TV on July 13th but this performance has been cancelled for unknown reasons. Virgin Records Germany also made an interview with UB40, Gentleman and Bantu. Several outtakes of the interview were available online. The interview took place in the "Le Meridian" hotel in Munich, Germany.

 

Labour Of Love I, II & III Virgin Records released a Labour Of Love Platinum 3 CD boxset in the UK, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Australia. The USA edition will be released in September. The album is remastered and in many countries also protected against copying with the Copy Protect system. The boxset was released on June 2, 2003 in the UK with the catalogue number 7243 5 84724 2 4. The UK version does not include the Copy Protect logos but apparantly is also protected with this system. All the discs are picture discs and the booklet consist of all the original booklets from the volumes put together into one booklet. Track times of Labour Of Love III differ a little to the original 1998 release. Tracks 7 ("Good Ambition") and 12 ("Someone Like You") now come in a slighty longer version. "Good Ambition" has a 20 second longer instrumental break and "Someone Like You" has a 12 second longer dub! There is a special 5 track CD promo out on Virgin Records UK with the following songs: Cherry Oh Baby / Red Red Wine / Homely Girl / Kingston Town / Many Rivers To Cross. Virgin Records UK also released a 3 CD promo CD-R set.

The V-Birds have landed A new cartoon series has been launced on the Cartoon Network last year December. Star Company Productions (with UB40's Jim Brown) are making the music together with Ali Campbell's son Ali Junior. Their 1st single "Virtuality" was released on April 21, 2003. The single comes with the song video (enhanced CD) and a limited edition poster. For more info visit the V-Birds website here.

 

Dancing Stage Fever The V-Birds song "Virtuality" has been featured on the Konami game "Dancing Stage Fever" which will be released on October 24, 2003.

 

Legendary No.1 albums Labour Of Love, Labour Of Love 2, Promises & Lies and Rat In The Kitchen are all on the list of EMI / Virgin legendary number 1 albums in the Netherlands. A special corner in the musicshop is dedicated to these albums. The website also has some soundsamples taken from the albums and include some UB40 ringtones. For more info visit the (Dutch) website here.