Wednesday, August 16, 2017

UB40 - Red Red Wine (DEP International)

Very neatly reggaed version of a heartbender by Neil Diamond from the days when he was a songwriter. Spine-shivering synthesiser plays sparing little lines that help drive it along. Deserves to be a hit. (Johnny Black, Smash Hits, August 18, 1983)

UB40 have always struck me as being a modern equivalent of Eddy Grant's Equals. They specialise in airy pop reggae that can scintillate you live and lull you into a false sense of security on record. This is very clever, lashings of memorable harmonies and a lilting tune. It's the acceptable face of schmaltz - but then Neil Diamond, who wrote it, knows a thing or two about the wiles of the public taste button. Could even be a hit if UB40 split up soon (just joshing, lads). (Max Bell, No 1, August 13, 1983)

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...