Ingenious to finance UB40

Venture capital types Ingenious have announced a JV with UB40 which will see them invest £1 million into the release of the band's next album, 'Tyler', which will be released via the group's own indie label Reflex Muzic Limited in November. A spokesman for the investment firm told Billboard: "Ingenious will support entire costs of the album project and related activities, including tours and merchandise. They provide the risk capital and then share in the proceeds". It's not the first time Ingenious have provided the funding directly to an artist for a major album release - the most prominent previous such deal being with The Prodigy.