UB40 - Present Arms
by Tony Gaughan
published: 18 / 4 / 2015
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
In our 'Re:View' section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Tony Gaughan examines Bimingham band UB40's 1981 bestselling second album 'Present Arms', which is about to be re-released in a three CD edition
'Present Arms' was the second studio album release from the Birmingham band UB40 and, featuring the worldwide hits 'One in Ten' and 'Don't Let it Pass You By', spent over nine months in the UK charts in 1981. It has justbeen reissued in a deluxe expanded edition of three discs. The main disc features the original release with a 12" remix of 'Don't Slow Down' as a bonus track. There is also an entire dub mix album of the original eight tracks, and a bonus disc of sessions from the BBC and an entire live set. Until recently I believed that UB40 were more of a covers band than anything else as a lot of their latter hits were remakes of old classics, but this package shows the other side of the band and proves that the band were up there with the greats of the reggae world. 'Present Arms in Dub' is just that, instrumental slabs of deep, reverbed snares and walking, rasping bass lines, the best tracks being the dub version of the title track and 'Return of Dr X'. The dub versions had originally been a second album added to the original vinyl album. The live session disc is a real bonus and features some early tracks from their 1980 debut album 'Signing Off', including their first single 'Food for Thought' and a Randy Newman cover 'I Think it's Going to Rain Today'. It's a must for fans who don't have the dub or bonus live disc, and is a decent insight into British reggae. Very much worth looking out for.
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
http://www.ub40.co.uk/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UB40
https://www.facebook.com/ub40official
https://twitter.com/ub40official
https://soundcloud.com/ub40-official
http://ub40.org/
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2022) |
UB40 frontman Ali Campbell talks to Nick Dent-Robinson about their new album 'Unprecedented', love of touring and the death of founder member Astro. |
profiles |
Profile (2017) |
Just like the history of the band themselves, Fiona Hutchings finds 'UB40 Featuring Ali, Mickey & Astro Unplugged' paired with the original band's greatest hits a complicated and sometimes challenging combination |
favourite album |
Labour of Love (2015) |
Erick Mertz reflects upon UB40's 1984 fourth album and covers record 'Labour of Love', which is about to reissued in a three CD extended edition |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart