Ali Campbell

Ali Campbell

Running Free, the new album from UB40’s front man Ali Campbell, is a reggae-soul-pop tour de force featuring collaborations with some legendary singers and musicians, many great songs and the unique voice and songwriting excellence of Mr Red Red Wine himself.

Born on February 15^th 1959, this unrelenting crusader for reggae had been unemployed for almost three years when he joined his school friends in 1978 to form UB40 (named after the paper form issued by the UK government to claim unemployed benefit!)

As lead singer with the world-renowned group Ali has sold over 60 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up four number one world-wide singles, over 40 Top 40 UK singles released 24 albums and received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement.

At the most recent Grammy awards UB40 were nominated for best reggae album and Ali continues to stay true to his love of the genre and its ongoing capacity for innovation with ‘Running Free’, his second solo album (the follow up to 1995’s ‘Big Love’)

‘Running Free’ has special guest appearances by Mick Hucknall, Kate Melua, Robin Campbell, Bitty McLean, Smokey Robinson, Don Yute, Lemar and Beverley Knight.

Making a stunning debut at number nine UK album charts late in 2007 ‘Running Free’ has already been certified silver status and spawned a duet concert to happen in 2008 at London’s famed Royal Alber Hall guest-starring the various singers who appear on the album.

“They were a joy to work with,” says Ali of his collaborations with the likes of soul icon Smokey Robinson and reggae giants Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett and Ernest Ranglin. “This is a classic party record with great people on it,” he says. “And it’s a bunch of great songs.”

Each track on ‘Running Free’, recorded at Jamaica’s Anchor studio and West London’s Eden, is filled with melodic delights and has something to offer. There are partnerships with some of music’s all-time greats like The World’s Greatest Rhythm Section, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare along with relative newcomers to reggae from all areas of the contemporary music scene such as Mick Hucknall, Bitty McLean, Beverly Knight, Lemar and Katie Melua.

There’s a version of Johnny Nash’s 1968 Top five hit, Hold Me Tight, with an infections rhythm that has already been wowing audiences across Europe. I’ll Be Standing By, a cover of the Al Green song, features great vocals from Lemar and is another superb example of lilting Lovers Rock, the contrast between the sweet vocals and tuff beats, plus the solid rhythms and crystalline production.

The title track, ‘Running Free’, a fast-paced duet with UK soul diva Beverley Knight, is co-written by Ali. Cold Around My Heart is another original tune with a swooping, elegant melody and Don’t Try This At Home features Katie Melua and an infectious rhythm and chord sequence.

On Would I Lie To You, Bitty McLean, a former tap op at UB40’s Dep International Studios, helps turn the Charles & Eddie song, one of the most admired latterday soul tunes, into a beautiful slice of lilting reggae.

Hallelujah Time, the Bob Marley song features the vocal contributions from Smokey Robinson and Don’t Go, is a version of the Drifters song that Ali’s always wanted to cover and where he even does the basso profundo “don’t go’s!”

Co-written by Ali, I Want One of Those shows Ali soaring gracefully over the melody. There’s also a version of Smokey Robinson’s 1981 Number one smash hit, Being With You, this time with Mick Hucknall joining Ali on the mic and Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, Ernest Ranglin and Don Yute tackle Stevie Wonder’s vintage classic, Village Ghetto Land.

Finally, Ali’s brother Robin joins him for a poignant rendition of the Campbell boy’s favourite, Devoted To You by the Everly Brothers.

“There was no compromise,” says Ali of ‘Running Free’ and the sense of freedom he enjoyed during recording. “I was in control. I was as happy as a pig in shit, working with my heroes. In fact, I haven’t been this excited about a record since Labour Of Love.”

‘Running Free’ by Ali Campbell is out now by The Planet Company released through MGM.