Ali Campbell of UB40, Tribali and The Rifffs will be playing their hearts in one night this summer in Malta.
As lead singer with group UB40, Ali Campbell has sold over 60 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up four number 1 world-wide singles, over 40 Top 40 UK singles and released 24 studio albums. Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, I Can’t Help Falling In Love, I Got You Babe and many more are all under his belt. Their earlier hits include One in Ten, Cherry Oh Baby and Rat in Mi Kitchen. UB40 literally defined the very essence of British reggae.
Striking out on his own, Ali Campbell has released his first solo album in 2007. Entitled Running Free and featuring many guest artists like Smokey Robinson, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red and the legendary Sly and Robbie, the album went straight to the top 10 in the UK charts and attained gold status. Ali Campbell just-released his second solo album, Flying High which entered the UK charts at number 13. A great result, especially in a week that sees the charts dominated by the late, great Michael Jackson. The album features a reggae version of the Tom Jones hit She’s a Lady.
Tribali’s mixture of world music, reggae, pop, rock, classical and jazz rhythms light up Maltese audiences wherever and whenever they play. In 2007 they made their on the international scene at Glastonbury Festival and their subsequent jamming session was featured on CNN. The famous DJ Ritu interviewed them for a one-hour BBC London special show in September 2007.
Tribali have been offered a worldwide digital distribution deal with Petrol Records USA/Australia and played three shows at the prestigious East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival in Byron Bay, NSW, Australia in March 2008.
With their new CD The Elephants of Lanka just out, and this being their last show during summer 2009, they are promising a blast.
The legendary cult band The Rifffs will be belting out their ska-driven hits from the recently released CD Moonstomp as well as their hits from the 80s, including the timeless classic Dance Music for the 80’s Depression.
With ska bands like The Ordinary Boys topping the UK charts last year and the legendary The Specials and Madness re-uniting, with the credit crunch depression, is it fate that the Rifffs are back with such a timeless album?
The concert takes place on 15 August, by the sea, near Fra Ben, Bugibba. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets from all Maltapost outlets, ticket hotline 7988-0582, or at the door.