The UB40 album Labour of Love was not only a creative and commercial breakthrough for the UK reggae group, but a way of life for singer Ali Campbell.
It’s what kept the singer, 64, going strong for more than 40 years and weathering the storm of starting his own version of UB40 after leaving the original group in 2008.
The acrimony took a slightly absurd turn in 2014 when both UB40s played in Dubai within weeks of each other and declaring to The National they were the real deal.
Tensions stilled over the years with both groups settling and releasing albums of their own.
Speaking to The National before a now cancelled Saturday performance at Etihad Arena due to ill health, Campbell says the drama is now behind him.
Instead, he reflects on how 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Labour of Love, the album that changed his life.
More than the millions of copies sold and getting to play in arenas around the world, Campbell credits the upbeat recording for permanently changing perceptions of the group.
“At the time we were known as being this politically motivated band and we weren’t liked by the media because of that,” he says. “They thought we were angry and it was a case of ‘here is UB40 moaning again’.
