LETTER FROM BRITAIN
By Friday morning, July 3rd, UB40’s second album Present Arms was number one; by Friday night Southall was on fire. “We’re closer to the West Indians than ever. The fascists are attacking black people. In Brixton they are West Indians, in Southall they’re Asians, but there is no difference anymore.”
LETTER FROM BRITAIN
Three Days In July
Penny Valentine
By Friday morning, July 3rd, UB40’s second album Present Arms was number one; by Friday night Southall was on fire.
“We’re closer to the West Indians than ever. The fascists are attacking black people. In Brixton they are West Indians, in Southall they’re Asians, but there is no difference anymore.” (an Asian youth, talking about Friday night’s riots.)
“The power is in your hand/Stop waiting to be taken to the promised land/There ain’t no heaven and there ain’t no hell/ Except the one we’re in that you know too well.” (UB40, “Don’t Let It Pass You By.”)
In less than a year UB40 have become Britain’s leading reggae band. They’re a potent mix of deceptively indolent brass riffs, weaving rocksteady and the hard edge of syn-cussion, bongos and bass. Over it all Ali Campbell’s instantly recognizable high nasal moan insists on being heard: “Be your mother’s pride and joy/The nation’s golden boy/To protect what isn’t yours.” (“Present Arms.”)