Name: Specials [40th Anniversary Half-Speed Master Edition]
Brand: The Specials

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

A 94011

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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

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2019-11-01

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

WEA /­ ADA

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

5060516094011

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Total Cap

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

Artist

The Specials

Genre US

Label US

Chrysalis

Our curated collection of essential albums on vinyl, CD, and tape at Rough Trade.

Rough Trade Essential

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.

New Wave / Post Punk

Back In Stock

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. Track List A Message To You Rudy / Do The Dog / It’s Up To You / Nite Klub / Doesn’t Make It Alright / Concrete Jungle / Too Hot / Monkey Man / (Dawning Of A) New Era / Blank Expression / Stupid Marriage / Too Much Too Young / Little Bitch / You’re Wondering Now.

Specials [40th Anniversary Half-Speed Master Edition]

Music US