Britain's biracial UB40 is arguably the most popular non-Jamaican reggae band ever. A series of English albums has turned eight young Birmingham men (who named their band after an unemployment form) into big-league pop idols in their native land. Their second American release, Labour of Love – a collection of cover versions – broke the ice in a big way here as well. Garnishing its authentic-sounding reggae with all the right trimmings – bass-powered production, dub mixes, horns, toasting, commendable political sentiments – UB40 largely holds to the stylistic ideals set by the late Bob Marley, but with one glaring exception. The band's songwriting has always been
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weak and forgettable, so much so that its joyful remakes of such erstwhile standards as Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" and the Slickers' "Johnny Too Bad" make UB40's own efforts sound like amateur also-rans.
Happily, the band has discovered new wells of in-house compositional talent (though group credits preclude individual attribution). Geffery Morgan boasts not only UB40's best production and arrangements to date, but also a solid batch of tuneful, memorable songs that attest to the group's continuing musical growth. While maintaining its full commitment to roots reggae, UB40 here infuses enough pop melody and structure to please any nonreggae enthusiast.
"Riddle Me," a simple primer on the English class system, and "If It Happens Again," a lover's stern warning, are the two smoothest blends of tune and beat; "Seasons," despite uncharacteristically trite lyrics, has a charming, lilting refrain fortified with sweet harmony and syncopated percussion. On a different path, "Nkomo A Go Go" is an invigorating composition with a wailing saxophone and solid dance drive. From the wacky patois of "D.U.B." to the stark drama of "The Pillow," Geffery Morgan contains serious thoughts and substantial catchy bounce, making it UB40's first completely engaging album. (RS 441)
IRA ROBBINS
