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Ali Campbell (UB40) - Silhouette

by Kevin Wierzbicki

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UB40 singer Ali Campbell left that group six years ago and has been putting out solo albums ever since but with UB40 founding and core members Mickey (keyboards) and Astro (additional vocals) on board here you may as well go ahead and think of this as a UB40 record. And true to how that band has always operated, here the trio and a horn section present a selection that includes lots of covers including a take on The Beatles' "Any Time at All" and the especially well-chosen chestnut "Silhouette," originally cut more than 50-years ago by doo wop group The Rays.

Silhouette is for the most part very relaxing but it's also still danceable and if you're listening while chilling out on the couch, faster tunes like "Cyber Bully Boys" and "Reggae Music" will likely have you leaping to your feet to reggae dance around the room. "Fijian Sunset" has a bounce and lilt that recalls Bob Marley's "Stir it Up" while "Who Will Remember Them" is classic slow and smoky reggae; the guys even breathe new life into Bob Dylan's "I Want You" by adding echoing vocals to the chorus and spotlighting the horns.

Campbell's voice is understandably a little huskier than when he sang UB40 hits like "Red Red Wine" but he remains one of the best reggae/pop singers and interpreters and fans of his past work should find Silhouette equally satisfying.

Order your copy here.

Ali Campbell (UB40) - Silhouette
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