Breaking higher ground with UB40

The reggae band is still flourishing. We speak to them about their new album

Anyone who belongs to the ’90s knows and loves the band UB40. Their song, Red Red Wine, could easily be on every hot-blooded Indian’s romance playlist. And for those who didn’t know this, they are still making and releasing music. Last month, they released Bigga Baggariddim, a celebration of reggae. The release also comes at a time when the reggae legends are preparing for their autumn-winter stadium tour.

This is the band’s 20th record. Musically, the new material features contributions from founding members Robin Campbell (co-vocals/guitar), Brian Travers (saxophone/keyboards), James Brown (drums), Earl Falconer (bass/keyboards/vocals) and Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals), alongside longtime members Duncan Campbell (vocals), Martin Meredith (saxophone), Laurence Parry (trumpet) and Tony Mullins (keyboards). The lead singer is now Matt Doyle (formerly of the reggae band KIOKO). 

When we caught up with Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown and Matt Doyle, they spoke about how music these days is decided by an algorithm, and why they want to come back to India.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Did you know of the big fan base you have always had in India?
Campbell: We have had Indians in Birmingham come up to us and say, “Do you know about us?” So, we are aware of it, but we haven’t been to India as much as we would have liked to. We would love to be there in 2022.

Matt, is it surreal to be singing for a band as iconic as UB40?
Doyle: Yes, I was a part of the ’90s as well, and they were everywhere. They still are so big. You can’t go a week in London, without hearing someone blast them through their car stereos. I used to sing the songs as a child in the back seat of my parents’ car. And now, I will sing those songs on stage. It’s unbelievable. 

What’s the new album about?
Campbell: It’s the same kind of thing, but with an international flavour, as we have collaborated with musicians all over the world. We have been touring for 40 years, and we wanted to show everyone that reggae is a pan-world phenomenon. 

What do you feel about the music scene today?
Brown: A live gig is still a live gig, whatever the technology may have done to the record business. And that’s where we are the best. The record industry is gone, but record sales have plummeted. And younger people consume music very differently than we did. I used to buy albums! And young people don’t do it. I have kids who live in this new world, but I don’t understand it. 

Campbell: Nobody even buys albums these days, or wants to read about who played what, and who wrote what. Nobody cares about that. The days of wandering in a store looking for music are over. Now, if one listens to UB40, streaming platforms show them more artists like UB40.
Brown: That’s what is sad. People just stay in a niche, and never can leave it. Why are people limiting themselves?  

WHAT: Bigga Baggariddim
WHERE: Spotify, YouTube Music

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