Specials - Specials (40th Anniversary Edition)

The Specials are one of the defining bands of the late 70’s/early 80’s along with Jerry Dammers’ iconic label Two Tone Records. Originally formed in 1977 as The Coventry Automatics, The Specials combined Jamaican ska and Rocksteady mixed with the energy of punk and launched a whole Ska Revival which helped fellow like-minded bands Madness, The Beat and The Selecter to release their first singles. The Specials first single, ‘Gangsters’, was released in May 1979 with independent distribution by Rough Trade and the initial pressing of just 5,000 records sold out. The band and label soon signed with Chrysalis Records who picked up on the release of ‘Gangsters.’ The next single, ‘A Message To You Rudy’, followed in September with their first album released soon after in October. This 40th Anniversary Edition of their debut album ‘Specials’ has been mastered and cut at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios using the original production tapes. This edition has been split across 2x 12” vinyl at 45rpm for optimum audio quality. The Specials recently celebrated a UK Number One with their new album ‘Encore’ and are currently on a 40th Anniversary World Tour.

2x 12" LP, 180gm, 45rpm, half speed mastered, obi strip, gatefold sleeve

A1          A Message To You Rudy

A2          Do The Dog

A3          It's Up To You

A4          Nite Klub

B1          Doesn't Make It Alright

B2          Concrete Jungle

B3          Too Hot

C1          Monkey Man

C2          (Dawning Of A) New Era

C3          Blank Expression

C4          Stupid Marriage

D1         Too Much Too Young

D2         Little Bitch

D3         You're Wondering Now

Two Tone Records, 2019 reissue
CDL TTH 5001

Originally released 1979

[Rock] [Reggae] [Ska]