Name: In the Studio
Brand: The Specials

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CHRTTR5008

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Expanded version approved by Jerry Dammers with new sleeve notes and unseen photos. The extra CD features 12 tracks - Singles, Peel Session from 83 and Instrumental versions. 

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2017-07-21

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0825646151431

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Total Cap

2 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

The Specials

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Two Tone

Two-Tone Records (or 2 Tone Records) was created in Coventry, UK in 1978 by Jerry Dammers. Dammers, the songwriter and music director for bands The Specials and The Special A.K.A, also served as the Chief Executive of the label. He signed artists such as Madness, The Selecter, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers.

Dammers grew up in The Midlands area of The UK during the late 1960s/early 70s and became influenced by Jamaican Ska Music. This influence was a result of cultural changes due to immigration in cities like Birmingham and Coventry. Most of the 2 Tone artists were from this area, with Madness being an exception from North London.

The label's early releases included classics like 'Gangsters', 'The Prince' (a tribute to Prince Buster), 'On My Radio', 'Too Much Too Young', and their most famous release 'Ghost Town'. Contrary to popular belief, 'Ghost Town' was not a criticism of racial tension on a national scale but rather aimed at thuggery within Coventry. Many of The Specials' songs reflected life in Coventry.

The success of Two-Tone Records was led by The Specials who released a self-titled LP in 1979. However, internal conflicts among artists signed to the label and cultural changes within British society eventually led to its collapse in

The Specials were the first band of the 2-Tone era in Britain during the late '70s and early '80s. Led by keyboardist Jerry Dammers, the band consisted of Terry Hall on lead vocals, Neville Staple on vocals and percussion, Lynval Golding on rhythm guitar and vocals, Roddy "Radiation" Byers on lead guitar, Sir Horace Gentleman (aka Horace Panter) on bass, and John Bradbury on drums.

During their active years from 1979 to 1981, The Specials released seven singles, two of which ("Too Much Too Young" & "Ghost Town") reached #1 in the UK charts. However, amidst widespread street violence in major cities across the country, they disbanded when "Ghost Town" topped the charts on July 11th, 1981.

Afterwards, Jerry Dammers and John Bradbury continued as The Special AKA until 1985. Horace Panter also remained involved to some extent. Roddy Byers left but made a guest appearance on one single. Meanwhile, Terry Hall, Neville Staple, and Lynval Golding formed Fun Boy Three.

Back In Stock

In the Studio was the third album from The Specials, released in 1984, long after the breakup of the original Specials. It charted in the UK Top 35. The album was released under the name The Special AKA and was over two years in the making (hence the title). It was not as commercially successful as their previous two albums, although (Free) Nelson Mandela and Racist Friend became popular singles.

2CD - Expanded version approved by Jerry Dammers with new sleeve notes and unseen photos. The extra CD features 12 tracks - Singles, Peel Session from 83 and Instrumental versions. 

LP - 180 Gram Black Vinyl. 2015 Remastered Version.

In the Studio

Music GB

Buy The Specials - In the Studio (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.