THE SPECIALS The Specials (2002 issue UK 16-track enhanced CD album debut long-player mixing original songs and classic ska tracks includes the singles Message To You Rudy and the album version of Too Much Too Young plus Gangsters & TooMuch Too Young CD-Rom Videos)

The Specials began ska revival in Britain, putting ska and rocksteady beats together with a level of energy and attitude taken from the punk movement. They also formed a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers. The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as the Coventry Automatics and later the Special A.K.A. by Jerry Dammers (songwriter/keyboardist), with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staples (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). Dammers started his own label, '2-Tone' on which the Specials albums and singles were released it was named for it's multiracial outlook and also after the two-tone suits worn by the rude-boys. This CD/DVD 'Best Of' features all of the hits & videos from their first hit single 'Gangsters', 'Too Much Too Young' (a pro-contraception song which was banned by the BBC but still hit the no. 1 spot), 'Ghost Town' (released amid race-related unemployment riots), to the latter singles of 'Racist Friend' and 'Free Nelson Mandela'.

SPECIAL ORDER! LTD ED 180gm audiophile pressing of the original US version. NO RETURNS!

1. The Special AKA - Gangsters 2:48 2. Specials Featuring Rico* - Rudi: A Message To You 2:53 3. Specials Featuring Rico* - Nite Club 3:12 4. Special AKA - Too Much Too Young (live) 2:06 5. Special AKA - Guns Of Navar

46 track compilation for the new wave ska act. Includes thehits, 'Gangsters', along with multiple versions of 'Ghost Town' (including an extended version), 'Racist Friend' (including an instrumental version), 'Nelson Mandela' (including Nelson Mandela '88) and 'What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend'. Featuring tracks recorded as Special A.K.A. 2000release. 3 CD's packaged in a standard double jewel case anda 16 page booklet.

UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's 1984 album that's out-of-print in the US. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotional videos 'What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend' & 'Nelson Mandela'.