It marks the return of the rootsier, political sound that the group cultivated during the early 1980s. It was the band's first release by Rhino Records in the US.
The positive steps taken by 2003's Homegrown pay off on Who You Fighting For?, the solidest album from UB40 in well over a decade.
Once again, relaxed love songs, covers, and plaintive observations on the everyday struggle are the ingredients, but this time it's the latter that makes the album worth noting for the casual fan and treasuring for the faithful.
The title track's disgust and despair over a welcoming, bouncy beat recalls how UB40 and the English Beat used to be neck and neck in the lively revolution race while "War Poem" and "Plenty More" are pleasingly more Signing Off than expected.
Just like that pivotal album, Who You Fighting For? features an Eastern-influenced highlight, the hypnotic "Reasons" with Hunterz and the Dholl Blasters.
"Reasons" is the 9th track in the album. The song reached number 75 on the UK singles chart. Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters also feature in the song. The song is distinguished by its chorus with Punjabi words, which is woven into a song with a reggae rhythm. The Punjabi lyrics are:
Tere bin meno chain na aveh, Oh soniyeThese can be roughly translated as
without you I have no peace, O beautiful oneThe song basically describes 9 reasons why the singer loves his beauty.
With a fine, miniature cover of Lennon and McCartney's "I'll Be on My Way" and a perfect take on Dennis Bovell's slinky "After Tonight," it becomes obvious that Who You Fighting For? isn't so much a "return to form" but a blend that ties their pop period to the revolutionary early years while looking toward the future.
They've attempted this plenty of times and came up with spotty full-lengths, crippled by bad choices and tracks that sounded forced. Inspired and sincere the whole way, Who You Fighting For? is top-shelf UB40.
Track listing
- "Who You Fighting For" – 3:30
- "After Tonight" – 3:42
- "Bling Bling" – 3:21
- "Plenty More" – 3:55
- "War Poem" – 3:48
- "Sins of the Fathers" – 4:28
- "Good Situation" – 4:02
- "Gotta Tell Someone" – 4:22
- "Reasons" – 3:53
- "One Woman Man" – 3:21
- "I'll Be on My Way" – 2:12 (Lennon–McCartney)
- "Kiss and Say Goodbye" – 3:12
- "Things You Say You Love" – 3:24
Personnel
- Jim Brown – drums
- Ali Campbell – guitar, lead vocals
- Robin Campbell – lead guitar, vocals
- Earl Falconer – bass guitar, vocals
- Norman Lamont Hassan – percussion, trombone, vocals
- Brian Travers – saxophone
- Mickey Virtue – keyboards
- Astro – toasting vocals, percussion, trumpet, backing vocals
Credits
- Arranged By – UB40 (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 10)
- Arranged By [Horns] – Brian Travers
- Edited By – Dan Sprigg
- Mastered By – Howie Weinberg
- Mixed By – Dan Sprigg, Jamie Travers, UB40
- Photography By – Fin Costello, Nathan Seabrook
- Producer – UB40 (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 10)
- Recorded By – Dan Sprigg, Jamie Travers
- Written-By – UB40 (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 10)
Notes
Released: 18 July 2005
Recording Location: Dep International Studios, Birmingham, England
Genre: Reggae
Length: 47:15
Label - DEP International
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