UB40 Live at The Paradiso in Amsterdam - Free Download

Last week officially marked the end of UB40 as we have known them for 30 years and the start of a new era for the band. The band officially released the 17 track version of "Twentyfourseven" featuring additional songs with new singers beyond the 1o track giveaway that was available from The Daily Mail in the UK in May. To celebrate this new beginning, the band has followed the lead of others (e.g., Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails) and are distributing a free download of a concert recorded in Amsterdam on May 11th on its Web site. The free download is the first live performance of the band's new line-up, which now includes pop/reggae crooner Maxi Priest and Duncan Campbell, and should put to rest any fears that the band's signature sound has changed since Ali Campbell and keyboardist Mickey Virtue left the band under very acrimonious circumstances earlier this year. The recording is a parade of hits and sounds great. If you have tickets to see them during their upcoming U.S. tour you should be in for treat. Unfortunately they seem to be steering clear of the East Coast and New York in particular.

And for all you Loonies out there, here's a video of the band's latest video/single, "Dance Until the Morning Light." The song prominently features Maxi Priest on lead vocals singing, along with the familiar sample loop of Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ hit “Israelites.” It will likely be another hit for the band who continue to find ways to defy the critics who insist on calling them washed up and out-of-touch.