BIRMINGHAM, 23 February: UB40 have released “Gimme Some Kinda Sign”, the first single from their forthcoming new album UB45 out via SRG Records (Universal/Virgin) on 19 April. The album celebrates 45 years of the world’s biggest selling reggae band and is available for pre-order now. Listen to the new single from today on all major streaming platforms, and watch the music video on the UB40 YouTube channel.

“Gimme Some Kinda Sign” breathes new life into a 1968 classic UK Top 10 hit. It’s a cover of Brenton Wood’s soul staple “Gimme Little Sign”, given a fresh UB40 twist. Combining the band’s insouciant grooves, a breezy melody and trademark effervescence, “Gimme Some Kinda Sign” is a bona fide triumph. The song was chosen by lead vocalist Matt Doyle, who suggested it to Robin Campbell, unaware that it had been sitting on his wish list since the Labour of Love (1983) album days four decades ago. The music video was shot at Capture Studios, a state-of-the-art facility in Birmingham.

Robin Campbell said: “I was delighted when Matt suggested “Gimme” as a song he’d like to cover as it had been on my to do list for 40 years and I still have the 7” 45 vinyl. It says something about his musical knowledge that he picked a song recorded more than 20 years before he was born.”

Matt Doyle added: “”Gimme Some Kinda Sign” is easily one of my favourite tunes on the new record and is incredible fun to play live. Recording was an absolute blast and I love what we’ve done with this song by an incredible old soul singer, who’s 83 now, and if he hears it, I think Brenton Wood would be happy with it for sure!”

“Gimme Some Kinda Sign” is the first single from UB40’s forthcoming studio album, UB45. The album features seven brand new songs plus seven fresh recordings of some of the band’s best loved tracks. It opens with “Home”, a song that’s complete with trademark UB40 beats and the powerful themes of inequality and bigotry. Other new recordings include a beautiful rendition of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll Be Happier” (1971), “Trouble”, “Say Nothing”, “Fool Me Once”, and the single “Champion” which was the official anthem of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

UB40’s iconic tunes “Food For Thought”, ”King”, “Tyler”, “Red Red Wine”, Cherry Oh Baby”, “Sing Our Own Song” and “Kingston Town” have all been given a fresh recorded treatment while retaining the spirit, timbre and melodies that fans know and love.

Over the course of 45 years, UB40 have garnered over 100 million album sales, 50 UK Top 40 singles and 10 UK Top 10 albums. The band has stood the test of time, touring the world together and recording music shot through with an unbreakable bond, fostered by their long-standing friendships and shared Birmingham roots. The line-up proudly boasts all but one of the surviving founding members, now bolstered by the reinvigorating presence of vocalist Matt Doyle.

The 45-year celebrations will continue well into 2024, with the guys heading out on the road later this year for a headline UK arena tour with special guests Soul II Soul. Kicking off in London on 1 November, they will visit Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Nottingham, before finishing in Belfast on 23 November.

Listen to “Gimme Some Kinda Sign”, the new single from UB40 now on all major streaming platforms and watch the music video on the UB40 YouTube channel. UB45, the brand-new studio album, is out on 19 April and can be pre-ordered now. A special UB45 Record Store Day vinyl will also be available. Get tickets for UB40’s UK arena tour at www.ub40.global.

UB40 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SOUL II SOUL – UK TOUR DATES IN FULL:

Fri 1 November 2024            London           OVO Arena Wembley

Sat 2 November 2024           Liverpool        M&S Bank Arena

Thurs 7 November 2024       Cardiff            Utilita Arena

Sat 9 November 2024           Birmingham   Resorts World Arena

Fri 15 November 2024          Leeds             First Direct Arena

Sat 16 November 2024         Glasgow         OVO Hydro

Thurs 21 November 2024     Nottingham    Motorpoint Arena

Sat 23 November 2024         Belfast            SSE Arena    

 

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