The Specials - The Singles Collection

The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England.Their music combined a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups. The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section. The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers). In 1979, the song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" single also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart. Their music is featured in film and television soundtracks. After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, the band broke up. In 2008, it was announced that the band would reform and embark on a 30th anniversary tour in 2009. After much speculation, it was announced that the Specials were to play the first day of the 2010 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Coachella, California. Several weeks later it was announced that the band was to kick off a very small US tour on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on 13 April. They are also set to play New York's Terminal 5 on 21 April, along with two additional as of yet unannounced shows. The band hopes to return later in the year for a full-blown US tour. They announced on their website on 1 February 2010 that they were going to play a show in Los Angeles the day before their performance in Coachella and also play a show in Toronto, Canada. The band is also set to play the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim in Benicàssim, Spain in mid July. On 24 February 2010, the band won the Outstanding Contribution Award at the NME Awards.

Track list:

1. Gangsters (2:48)
2. Rudi, a message to you (2:53)
3. Nite klub (3:11)
4. Too much too young (Live) (2:05)
5. Guns of Navarone (Live) (2:20)
6. Rat race (3:11)
7. Rude boys outta jail (2:41)
8. Maggie's farm (3:32)
9. Do nothing (3:52)
10. Stereotype (3:50)
11. Ghost town (12'' Vers.) (5:57)
12. Why? (3:54)
13. Friday night, saturday morning (3:34)
14. Racist friend (3:48)
15. Free Nelson Mandela (Ext. Vers.) (4:34)