UB40

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• Genre: Pop-Reggae
• Hometown: Birmingham
• UB40 Website

About

Formed in a dole line in their native Birmingham, England, UB40 have become to reggae what Kenny G is to jazz, only without all the support from jazz-loving soccer moms. By digging up classic Soul hits (Al Green's "Here I Am [Come And Take Me]"), unearthing love ballads (Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love"), and rifling through pop gems (Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine"), they've been able to sustain mainstream success with a string of reggae-fied hits. But a true love for classic '70s roots reggae has always nestled behind the group's mainstream appeal, sparking two follow-ups to 1983's original Labour of Love release, inspiring collaborations with Jamaican artists and infusing their 2006 release Who You Fighting For?.

- Kali Holloway