In this section of the World of Reggae Music Collection the selector explores the influence and influences of Ub40. This particular edition focuses on the original reggae bands and musicians that UB40 covered. The boys from Birmingham, England made reggae music popular from the European continent to the backfields of north Texas. And more importantly it made inquisitive listeners follow the tracks back to their original performers. The first time many people heard “Johnny Too Bad
” and “Cherry Oh Baby
” was on the album Labour Of Love
, the same album that featured the hit single “Red Red Wine
.” Music fans around the world followed many of these tracks back to their Jamaican roots. In the stacks of records they found the amazing sounds of The Slickers
, The Melodians
, John Holt
, Lord Creator
, and Eric Donaldson
. Ub40
turned many of these delightful tracks into electric 80s pop music for the masses. Albeit “Red Red Wine” is a Neil Diamond
song, Jamaican artists like Tony Tribe
had already made “Red Red Wine
” wicked reggae music. Here in this list are the original reggae tracks from which UB40 found inspiration. From the reggae legends like Bob Marley
and The Wailers
and Jimmy Cliff
to the more obscure artists like Boy Friday and Ken Parker
, Ub40
reintroduced some of the greatest 60s and 70s reggae tunes to the modern world.
The Slickers – Johnny Too Bad
The Melodians – Sweet Sensation
Jimmy Cliff – Many Rivers To Cross
U-Roy & John Holt – Wear You To The Ball
Keith & Tex – Stop That Train
Ken Boothe – Just Another Girl
Tony Tribe – Red Red Wine
Ken Parker – Groovin’ Out on Life
Eric Donaldson – Cherry Oh Baby
John Holt – Stick By Me (And I’ll Stick By You)
The Kingstonians – Singer Man
Lord Creator – Kingston Town
Niney – Blood & Fire
Winston Groovy – Please Don’t Make Me Cry
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Keep On Moving
Ray Martell – She Caught the Train
Boy Friday – Version Girl
Ken Boothe – The Train Is Coming
The Melodians – It’s My Delight
The Ethiopians – Good Ambition
Max Romeo – Mr. Fix It
Ken Boothe – Crying Over You
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Soul Rebel
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Soul Rebel (Version 4)
Slim Smith – Time Has Come
The Fabulous Flames – Holly Holy
Ken Boothe – Kingston Town
Eric Donaldson – The Way You Do the Things You Do
NEED
Tiger – Guilty
Jackie Robison – Homely Girl
John Holt – Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Honeyboy – Impossible Love
Delano Stewart – Stay a Little Bit Longer
The Paragons – My Best Girl
Hopeton Lewis – Grooving Out On Life
Ken Boothe – Red Red Wine
Johnny Clarke – Keep On Moving
Cornell Campbell – I’ll Never Let Go
Teddy Davis – Tears from my Eyes
Honeyboy – Sweet Cherry
Sonny Bradshaw – Singer Man