Ingenious today announced that its two Music VCT funds have invested approximately £1 million to back the 24th album of legendary reggae band UB40. This deal is a joint venture with record label Reflex Muzic Limited.
The new album, entitled 'TYLER', which will be released on UB40's own independent record label, continues the band's long standing tradition of artistic control and integrity which it has maintained for the last two decades. The band has previously licensed its single and album releases through a long standing licensing arrangement with Virgin Records UK.
The new album, which is scheduled for a November release, will be supported by a full UK arena tour through November and December promoted by Live Nation. Both the album release and UK tour will be supported by extensive promotional media activity.
UB40 is one of Britain's most successful bands and without doubt the biggest reggae band in the world. Their mission has always been to champion reggae music globally and no band has done more to popularise reggae since the late Bob Marley. Their record sales are in excess of 70 million, making them one of the UK's leading musical exports.
UB40's chart success also makes them the third most successful UK singles chart act in history, with over forty Top 40 singles. They have enjoyed Number 1 smash hits in virtually every chart, including the notoriously hard-to-crack American market. The band's last album 'Who You Fighting For' was nominated for "Best Reggae Album" at the 2006 Grammy Awards.
Duncan Reid, Commercial Director of Ingenious, said:
"UB40 have popularised reggae around the world for over 25 years. They are one of the country's best-known and respected bands with a phenomenal track record and committed fan base. We are delighted to be working with them and look forward to a successful album launch later this year. This deal demonstrates Ingenious's ability to deliver innovative routes to market for some of the UK's best known bands through joint ventures with leading record labels and so, across a portfolio of deals, provide returns to investors."
Ingenious Media
Duncan Reid
Tel: 0207 319 4000
Fishburn Hedges
Andy Berry/Andrew Reid
Tel: 0207 839 4321
Frequency Media
Gerard Franklin UB40's Publicist
Tel: 0121 224 7452