Reunited with
UB40 members
Astro and Mickey means
Ali Campbell's 2014 solo effort is so almost-
UB40 it could be called UB35, but he left his brother in charge of that former band, so kudos for giving family a chance instead making this a full-on reunion. That said,
Silhouette would make an underwhelming
UB40 reunion because it's certainly not like the revolutionary band that did "One in Ten," or like the pop stars who covered "Red Red Wine." What it is is a wonderfully casual and light reggae record, filled with great grooves and worthwhile lyrics, up to and including the contemporary commentary of "Cyber Bully Boys" ("Screaming madly through your fingertips/Words that would have burnt your lips"). Covers include
Bob Dylan's "I Want You" (although the liner notes grab the writing credits for
LL Cool J's "I Want You" as a big, bizarre "oops") and there's the classic title track, which proves
Ali can still deliver emotion with a song with the word "Silhouette" as 75-percent of its lyrics. In fine voice and in hang-out mode,
Silhouette is a small, sweet treat for fans of
Ali Campbell. ~ David Jeffries