Labour Of Love III

Labour Of Love III by UB40

This band of Birmingham, England, roots rockers launched the Labour of Love cover series to show their devotion to the mid-'60s-to-early-'70s period in Jamaican music, when ska was slowing down to become bass-led rock steady. Soon after that, innovations in the drumming style helped create the next mutation, reggae, but UB40 still can't get enough of that wonderful rock-steady stuff. Since their list of top favorites numbers upwards of 200 titles, this series should last as long as they do. Volumes 1 and 2 spun off huge hits "Red Red Wine," "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and "Here I Am." Volume 3 packs guaranteed boomshots in "Holly Holy" and "Mr. Fix It." Some grouse that this band--the biggest reggae outfit in the world in terms of sales--is ripping off the music of black Jamaican artists. But reggae transcended national borders a long time ago, and UB40 have a stack of thank-you letters from artists they've covered in the past, names such as Honey and Winston Groovy, who were grateful for the recognition--not to mention the publishing fees! --Elena Oumano