At their best, UB40 were (and I use the past tense, despite the fact they’re still going, as they’ve dropped so far below the radar they might as well have called it a day) an infectious celebration of multi-cultural Britain. Formed after many a night at Blues parties in Birmingham’s inner-city Balsall Heath, they breathed new life into dusty old dub classics as well as penning their own songs heavy on social commentary. The likes of U-Roy’s ‘Wear You To The Ball’ and ‘One In Ten’.

At the worst, UB40 are (and I use the present tense, despite the fact they’re well past their sell-by date, as they’re soon to celebrate 30 years in the music biz) a glorified tribute band. Without the talent to craft much original material, they’ve dedicated a career to producing soporific covers. The likes of ‘Kingston Town’, first released by Lord Creator.

Ali Campbell is/was/whatever you want to call it UB40’s lead singer, his considerably-richer-than-yow(rs) vocals a key ingredient in their signature sound. Running Free, his second solo album, following cold on the heels of 1995’s Big Love, sees six songs written by Campbell along with UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers and eight covers of artists including Johnny Nash, first single ‘Hold Me Tight’, Smokey Robinson, who also guests on ‘Hallelujah Time’, and Stevie Wonder, ‘Village Ghetto Land’, featuring Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett and Don Yute. Hooking up with the likes of Beverly Knight, Lemar, Katie Melua, and Sly and Robbie shows Campbell trying to be all things to all people, and predictably failing but not without a fight.

(2½/5)