Labour Of Love III
This band of Birmingham, England, roots rockers launched theLabour of Lovecover 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