I GOT you babe! Ah, UB40. There are few people who grew up in the 80s who don’t have a soft spot for these Brit ska popsters (or so I’m told, cough!).

Best remembered not for their mainstream chart fare but for their work in spreading UK reggae to the masses, they were hugely influential, and successful, selling more than 70 million albums and blagging over 40 UK hit singles, with songs like Red, Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling In Love, and Many Rivers To Cross.

However, endearingly, they never lost their human touch, down to earth Midlands honesty, or social conscience.

Now Ali Campbell, the man who provided the voice of UB40 is recording as a solo artist – a career track which is also proving effective.

Since leaving UB40 three years ago ‘Brummie next door’ Campbell has released three hugely successful solo albums back to back – Running Free, Flying High and, most recently, Great British Songs, and has returned to the Top 15 in the album charts with each release.

Having signed up a new band, Ali has hit the road for a tour which arrives at Oxford’s O2 Academy tonight.

When asked if he was looking forward to returning to the tour, he said: “I loved the shows we played last year. The vibe was brilliant, we had a great time, so this year we thought we would add some more venues and take the reggae party on the road.”

The show will combine all your favourite UB40 hits, together with songs from his solo albums.

Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets are £22.50 from ticketweb.

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