[CD] UB40 • THE BEST OF UB40 VOLUMES 1 & 2 • 2 DISC SET • U.K. IMPORT

The early UB40 were rather like their Midlands neighbours The Specials at first, a mixed race band full of social conscience and political expression - and a lot of anger for the Thatcher era and its attendant poverty and racism. You can hear that on this collection too with Food For Thought, One In Ten, and King.

Then came Labour Of Love with its reggae covers and their popularity went through the roof with rather tame versions of Red Red Wine, Cherry Oh Baby and I Got You Babe (with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders) taking them to the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

We're not suggesting they sold out...after all this was their music from the start and it was good that they helped keep reggae so popular in both the UK and US but it kind of diminished their own great songs including Rat In Mi Kitchen, Please Don't Break My Heart and If It Happens Again.

Like Madness, the similarly gifted UK pop act of the era they were a brilliant singles act. Here exhibits that best and is a bargain at just USD $11.99.