The Specials: The Specials Vinyl LP

Seminal British Ska album from The Specials. Released in 1979 and produced by Elvis Costello, The Specials solidified the UK 2 Tone scene which encapsulated punk, Jamaican music, urban unrest, and youthful exuberance. Includes the well-aged “A Message to You, Rudy” plus covers / re-interpretations of The Skatalites (“You’re Wondering Now”), Toots & the Maytals (“Monkey Man”), Prince Buster (“Too Hot” and “Stupid Marriage”), and Lloyd Charmers (“Too Much Too Young”). This official EMI reissue features the 2002 remaster versions, 12 tracks in all.

• music label: EMI / Chrysalis 1979 / 2009

reviewed by the mgmnt 06/2014