Silhouette (The Legendary Voice Of UB40)

Silhouette is the new album from Ali Campbell, the legendary voice of UB40 reunited with Astro & Mickey. Recorded in London's renowned RAK Studios, the album is an inspired mix of freshly-minted new songs and sparkling, reggaefied cover versions of classics by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Chi-Lites and others. The track Silhouette was originally a 1957 hit for the American doo-wop group The Rays, though this new, yearning take, owes more to an early 1970s version by the crown prince of reggae, the late Dennis Brown. As founding members of UB40, Ali, Mickey and Astro helped to define reggae music for a generation. The iconic Birmingham reggae troupe topped the UK singles chart on three occasions and sold 70 million records as they took their smooth yet rootsy musical blend to all corners of the globe. Campbell left the band in 2008 after 29 years and has since released four reggae-themed solo collections, with Mickey, who left UB40 soon after Ali, joining him on keys. Astro remained with the band until November 2013, when he left to team up again with Ali and Mickey. With the redoubtable Astro lending strong vocal support and Mickey's keyboards to the fore in a new band that includes a three-piece horn section, their lithe but potent sound should delight fans old and new.