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Product Description
From the Label
UB40 have spent the last few years doing what many bands in such an exalted position would do. Having sold over 50 million albums and become global superstars, they have spread their wings and diversified.
They have collaborated with Jamaica's dancehall legends and worked with the fathers of reggae. In 2003, they even recorded "Swing Low", the anthem for the England rugby team's triumphant World Cup campaign.
This year saw the band release their 23rd album Who You Fighting For on the 25th anniversary of their recording debut, to much acclaim. Entering the charts at no. 20, the UK press overwhelmingly described the album as a true return to form. Their Live 8 performance was given 10/10 and described as the best performance by The Mirror.
This 2CD compilation features both of their previous best of albums plus "Swing Low" and "Kiss and Say Goodbye".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
UB40 have been a constant within the music scene for almost 3 decades by now. The first 15 years they were constant hit makers with consistent album sales. It seems that after that period, all of a sudden their time as a big selling artist was up as if the public had had enough.
These 2 CDs cover that period in a thorough manner. Basically, the CDs are simply re-issues of their Best of collections, volume 1 & 2, put into a single packaging. Two songs, Swing Low and Kiss & Say Goodbye are tacked at the end of volume 2; both songs would have been hits had UB40 still retained the popular appeal. Every UB40 Top 20 hit in the UK is here, i.e. until 1995, plus a few other notable singles (excluding Swing Low, UB40 have only had two other minor Top 20 hits since then). The only omission I notice is The Way You Do the Things You Do. It is one of their best known songs in the US but did not, however, even manage for some reason to crack the Top 40 in the UK, making the omission understandable. By excluding that period the listener also is spared the awful cover of Light My Fire included on their Very Best of 1980-2000 collection.
Their music has aged very well and many songs are becoming standard classics, even ones that were standards in other versions. In short, if you like UB40, even casually, this is the set to buy.
I am, still, deducting a star from this great set. It seems that despite being released in 2005, i.e. this combined version of the two volumes, the sound has not been re-mastered in accordance to current standards. My old Volume 1 CD has the exact same sound quality as the version on the volume 1 disk in this set.
I own the US version of the Very Best of 1980-2000 collection and took a few comparison samples. It was unfavourable for this version. On Here I Am the bass, which is prominent in the mix, is much more vibrant and the whole sound staging has audibly more depth on the US version, whilst on Kingston Town the synthesizers are clearer and the slight echo in the singing channel more natural, giving the song more of its special aura. These songs and other newer tracks have an added edge on the US version over the Best of Vol. 1&2 which is in a way analogous to the difference of a brand new LP verses a worn one.
On older tracks the difference is more audible, since the recording technology during the later period is more similar to what is used today. 1 in 10 has a significantly lower and more muddled sound and their first single, Food For Thought, is so vastly different sonic wise it is as if a blanket has been put over the speakers on the Best of Vol. 1&2 version (incidentally, the Left-Right channelling is reverse on the Food For Thought mixes).
Why the songs were not updated sound wise is beyond me, especially in light of the fact that many of the songs obviously have been re-mastered for at least another compilation. Most people won't notice the difference though and I admittedly seldom listen so closely that it matters. This is, however, a drawback.
To summarize, this is an immaculate collection of the hits of UB40 but suffers somewhat from the sound quality. In whole, I recommend this set.
These 2 CDs cover that period in a thorough manner. Basically, the CDs are simply re-issues of their Best of collections, volume 1 & 2, put into a single packaging. Two songs, Swing Low and Kiss & Say Goodbye are tacked at the end of volume 2; both songs would have been hits had UB40 still retained the popular appeal. Every UB40 Top 20 hit in the UK is here, i.e. until 1995, plus a few other notable singles (excluding Swing Low, UB40 have only had two other minor Top 20 hits since then). The only omission I notice is The Way You Do the Things You Do. It is one of their best known songs in the US but did not, however, even manage for some reason to crack the Top 40 in the UK, making the omission understandable. By excluding that period the listener also is spared the awful cover of Light My Fire included on their Very Best of 1980-2000 collection.
Their music has aged very well and many songs are becoming standard classics, even ones that were standards in other versions. In short, if you like UB40, even casually, this is the set to buy.
I am, still, deducting a star from this great set. It seems that despite being released in 2005, i.e. this combined version of the two volumes, the sound has not been re-mastered in accordance to current standards. My old Volume 1 CD has the exact same sound quality as the version on the volume 1 disk in this set.
I own the US version of the Very Best of 1980-2000 collection and took a few comparison samples. It was unfavourable for this version. On Here I Am the bass, which is prominent in the mix, is much more vibrant and the whole sound staging has audibly more depth on the US version, whilst on Kingston Town the synthesizers are clearer and the slight echo in the singing channel more natural, giving the song more of its special aura. These songs and other newer tracks have an added edge on the US version over the Best of Vol. 1&2 which is in a way analogous to the difference of a brand new LP verses a worn one.
On older tracks the difference is more audible, since the recording technology during the later period is more similar to what is used today. 1 in 10 has a significantly lower and more muddled sound and their first single, Food For Thought, is so vastly different sonic wise it is as if a blanket has been put over the speakers on the Best of Vol. 1&2 version (incidentally, the Left-Right channelling is reverse on the Food For Thought mixes).
Why the songs were not updated sound wise is beyond me, especially in light of the fact that many of the songs obviously have been re-mastered for at least another compilation. Most people won't notice the difference though and I admittedly seldom listen so closely that it matters. This is, however, a drawback.
To summarize, this is an immaculate collection of the hits of UB40 but suffers somewhat from the sound quality. In whole, I recommend this set.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Enjoyable glad i bought it. when UB40 are good they are very good. Unfortuntately there is also a fair bit of pretty poor stuff here too
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
I bought the very 1st UB40 when it came out on vinyl (yes I am that old!) yet for some reason never bought later albums despite being a fan of the genre and the band. It would be too expensive to get all the missing albums so when I spotted this double it seemed an offer too good to miss and sure enough it truly is the best of. Its given me a good range of tracks at a an excellent price. Nice one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
UB40 cd
A great CD. Item was as described and arrived within a few days. Packaging was excellent and item was as described. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jen
ub40
this is a verry good band there tunes are nice to listen to chill out music my auntie got this cd because she really likes them i have the cd as well delivery was fast great price... Read more
Published 8 months ago by tilly
Very happy with price
I got this cd for my friends birthday in august this year she is a big fan of ub40 and also over the moon with it
Published 8 months ago by denise
UB40 twin CD.
Everybody must remember UB40 from the 1980's and I bought this double cd album hoping it would remind me of the great music they made, I went to see them in concert last year so... Read more
Published 11 months ago by N. A. Kendrick
FAST SPEEDY DELIVERY
I ordered 3 cd's from this seller and I got them 3 days later I would recommend this seller to anybody very fast delivery and the cd's were brand new in their plastic cases. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Robbie M
UB tastic
It takes me back to the spring of my youth and really enjoying the trip.
Has all the early stuff - which is GREAT and the main reason I bought it, highly recommended.
Has all the early stuff - which is GREAT and the main reason I bought it, highly recommended.
Published 14 months ago by R. Nicklin
The best of UB40
An excellent collection of their singles. A "must have" for all those who are UB40 fans.
07 June 2010
07 June 2010
Published 24 months ago by Mr. W. S. Alimo
Best of UB 40 Vol's 1 & 2
The product was faulty and I recieved poor quality customer service also I am out of pocket for post and packageing and for returning faulty goods. Read more
Published on 12 July 2009 by Mrh Pankhurst
The Best of UB40
CD was received promptly and in very good condition. The item was exactly as I ordered.
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by Fiona Jane Hill
UB MAD NOT 2 BUY IT.
this was a big favourite of mine, growing up in the 80's and early 90's. this album is by far the best reggae collection of ub40's. Read more
Published on 6 July 2006 by J. Peters
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