Fans of UB40 who brought this 1997 album expecting to hear lightweight pop grooves reminisent of their previous "Promises and lies" CD may have been surprised. "Guns in the ghetto" is a very pure reggae album that wastes no time trying to attract a pop audience. For this reason,it will probably not go on to be UB40s best remembered album, but tracks like "Always there", "I love it when you smile" and the title song make it worth buying,as do "Tell me is it true" "Oracabessa moonshine" and "lisa."

Like other UB40 reviews that I have posted, I do not pretned to be an expert or authority of the band, but I do own several of their albums and at this point and I know which ones I like and respect and which ones that I could pass over. This is a keeper. Very true Reggae sound. If you have ever been to Kingston then this album will take you back there, whether you ever wanted to go back there again or not. I hate to use such hackneyed terms as "authentic" and "gritty", but that is what this album is. Not my favorite, but I am glad that I own it and it is a good listen.

If you want a feel good,come home from work and forget your day CD you found it here

Having been brougt up with UB40 I went on to collect the first 15 albums and was disapointed with Promise's and lies for being to pop but I still got Guns and was soon gelling out to the pure reggae best track Tell me is it true A sexy reggae track

What a great CD this is. I could play this CD till the cows come home. The guns in the ghetto track is one of my many favorites.