Running Free - Ali Campbell Album Review

Ali Campbell

Album Review

Ali Campbell, does reggae, obviously. No surprises there.

With star chums Mick Hucknall, Lemar, Beverley Knight, Smokey Robinson and more, Campbell does a host of covers and originals.

This second solo away from mothership UB 40 has some real gems, with a couple of duds, nevertheless it’s a worthy album. Tracks were recorded at Anchor studio Jamaica to get the sunshine feel, Eden and Townhouse in London and DEP in his native midlands. Campbell has used seasoned Kingston musos that include stelar rhythm section Sly and Robbie ( Simply Red – Night Nurse). He’s also produced it. There isn’t a rootsy feel to this at any level, as it’s nothing more than a commercial slant of the genre, though soul and pop-geggae feature heavily. Motown legend Smokey Robinson does a reasonable job on Marley’s Hallelujah Time, with Bitty McClean doing an original take on Charles and Eddie’s 1992 number one hit Would I Lie To You, though there is a mid-section reggae feel. Surprisingly, Mick Hucknall is at his least effective on Smokey’s Being With You, despite being in his Soul comfort zone. Melua gives a dazzling vocal performance, probably the best here, shaking off the mellowness of her albums on a punchy Don’t Try This At Home. It would make a superb single. She raises the stakes in stiff competition from the legends. Brother Robin joins in too, on Devoted To. Why this wasn’t kept for UB40 is a mystery. Bev Knight has turned into a genuine Soul star with her recent album, so it goes without saying she delivers the goods on opening title track Running Free , written by Campbell and Travis. The Drifters’s Don’t Go, a big favourite of Campbell’s gets a good dust- down and it’s quite effective. Campbell himself remains one of the most underrated singers in the world. I should know I’ve seen UB 40 , live. So there.

Elly Roberts