Description
UB40 – Labour Of Love – Double 180 Gram Vinyl Record
UB40’s Labour of Love, released on September 12, 1983, is a landmark reggae album that not only became the band’s most commercially successful release but also helped introduce reggae classics to a global pop audience. As the Birmingham-based group’s fourth studio album—and their first full-length collection of cover songs—Labour of Love was both a tribute to the music that inspired them and a strategic artistic move that elevated them from UK cult favorites to international chart-toppers.
The album features UB40’s smooth, pop-inflected takes on reggae hits originally made famous by Jamaican artists of the 1960s and ’70s. Rather than original material, the band chose to reinterpret songs from artists like Alton Ellis, Eric Donaldson, and Jimmy Cliff, infusing them with their own signature blend of lovers rock, dub, and socially conscious reggae-pop. The result was a record that felt both reverent and refreshing, staying true to the roots reggae spirit while translating it for a wider, mainstream audience.
The album’s breakthrough single, “Red Red Wine,” originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967 and later adapted into reggae by Tony Tribe, became a global phenomenon. UB40’s version, led by Ali Campbell’s gentle vocals and a silky groove, reached No. 1 in the UK upon release and famously hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 five years later, in 1988, after a live performance on The Tonight Show re-ignited interest.
Other highlights from Labour of Love include:
“Cherry Oh Baby” – a cover of Eric Donaldson’s classic, maintaining its playful rhythm while adding a polished, layered sound.
“Many Rivers to Cross” – a hauntingly beautiful version of Jimmy Cliff’s soul-searching ballad, showing UB40’s emotive range.
“Please Don’t Make Me Cry” – originally by Winston Groovy, this became another hit for the band, featuring longing vocals and a smooth, romantic vibe.
“Sweet Sensation” – a lush take on The Melodians’ hit, showcasing the group’s tight harmonies and rich instrumentation.
What made Labour of Love stand out was UB40’s ability to make reggae accessible to pop and rock audiences without diluting its essence. Their arrangements leaned into synths and saxophones, giving the songs a radio-friendly finish while preserving the genre’s rhythmic foundations and emotional honesty. This balance between authenticity and crossover appeal helped the album become platinum-selling in multiple countries, and cemented UB40 as one of the few reggae bands to enjoy sustained mainstream success outside of Jamaica.
While some purists questioned the slickness of the production or the idea of a British band covering Jamaican roots songs, others praised the band for honoring the material and expanding reggae’s reach. In hindsight, Labour of Love is widely acknowledged as a gateway album, turning millions of listeners on to reggae music who might never have encountered the original versions.
It continues to be a go-to compilation for fans of classic reggae, 1980s pop crossovers, and smooth, romantic vibes.
Labour of Love is more than a covers album—it’s a cultural bridge, connecting generations and geographies through the universal language of reggae. It helped define UB40’s career, brought underground reggae songs into the pop spotlight, and remains one of the most enduringly popular reggae albums of all time.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Cherry Oh Baby
Keep On Moving
Please Don’t Make Me Cry
Sweet Sensation
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Guilty
She Caught The Train
Version Girl
Many Rivers To Cross
Red Red Wine (7″ Version)
Sufferin’ (Dub Mix)
Many Rivers To Cross (7″ Version)
Johnny Too Bad (Unexpurgated Version)
Cherry Oh Baby (Dub Mix)
Frilla (12″ Version)
I’ve Got Mine (Extended Version)
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