Reggae Reviews: Specials

The Specials (2 Tone, 1979)

*GUEST REVIEW*
I find it easy to forget about two-tone when thinking about the history of reggae. Two-tone is the ska-influenced punk that led to a few dozen UK hits in 1979 and 1980. Key artists associated with the movement include The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners, Madness, and The Specials. Two tone was about the mod fashion, racial unity and the rude boy look. Who can forget the black and white check that Jerry Dammers designed? The debut LP from Coventry band The Specials is typical of two-tone. Its hard hitting pop music with the odd anthem and cover thrown in. Politics and wry observation fill the album, but it still manages to keep the listener skanking. This is a great debut album, and an interesting slab of musical and political history. Elvis Costello was so impressed with the band that he offered to produce the album for free. A quarter of a century after its release, some of the tracks and sentiments are a little dated, but the passion and humour still shine through. If you find Madness a little poppy at times, try this album for your next pork pie party. Two-tone, along with The Clash, got loads of music fans into reggae, and for that we should be thankful.

- ragudave

Track Listing
1. A Message to You Rudy
2. Do the Dog
3. It's Up to You
4. Nite Klub
5. Doesn't Make It Alright
6. Concrete Jungle
7. Too Hot
8. Monkey Man
9. (Dawning Of a) New Era
10. Blank Expression
11. Stupid Marriage
12. Too Much Too Young
13. Little Bitch
14. You're Wondering Now

Stereo-Typical: A's, B's and Rarities (EMI, 2005)

*GUEST REVIEW*
1979 onwards saw a multitude of two-tone bands, but The Specials are of the most important. The mix of American soul, JA ska, and British punk works much better than it sounds on paper. Bad Manners chose the light-hearted pop song route, while Jerry Dammers and company were more hard hitting. Witness the date-rape terror of "The Boiler" or the prophetic "Ghost Town" (as covered by Kode 9, Massive Attack, and Mercury Rev) and the anthemic "Nelson Mandela." This is a fine overview of the band's career. The first disc covers the 79-81 period, the second Special AKA material, and the third extended mixes. Most of the material hasn't aged too badly despite the overexposure of "Ghost Town" on socio-economic documentaries and an infamous Father Ted episode. Later output moves away from two-tone but retains some interest. However, the three CDs of material here stretch the good stuff a little thinly.

- ragudave

Track Listing
CD 1:
1. Gangsters
2. A Message to You Rudy
3. Nite Klub
4. Too Much Too Young
5. Guns of Navarone
6. Skinhead Symphony
7. Rat Race
8. Rude Boys Outa Jail
9. Stereotype
10. International Jet Set
11. Do Nothing
12. Maggie's Farm
13. Braggin' and Tryin' Not To Lie
14. Rude Boys Outa Jail (Version)
15. Ghost Town
16. Why?
17. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
18. Concrete Jungle (Live)
19. Racquel

CD 2:
1. The Boiler
2. Theme From the Boiler
3. Jungle Music
4. Rasta Call You
5. Easter Island
6. War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same)
7. Version
8. Racist Friend
9. Bright Lights
10. Nelson Mandela
11. Break Down the Door
12. What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend
13. Can't Get a Break
14. Nelson Mandela '88
15. Ghost Dub '91
16. Let Us Unite

CD 3:
1. Ghost Town [Extended Version]
2. Why?
3. War Crimes
4. Racist Friend [Instrumental]
5. Bright Lights [Instrumental]
6. Nelson Mandela
7. Break Down The Door
8. What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend
9. Can't Get a Break
10. Nelson Mandela '88
11. Ghost Dub '91/Let Us Unite