2LP - 180g Black Vinyl. 40th Anniversary Half-Speed Master Edition. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios and cut at 45rpm.
The Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude.
The Specials' landmark, 14-track-strong debut album The Specials (UK No.4, 1979), produced by Elvis Costello, declared their intentions loud and clear with a rare blend of furious energy and no-nonsense, hard-hitting lyrics. In essence a studio recording of their live set, the album comprises mostly originals with a few covers of ska classics thrown in for good measure, including their fabulous take on Dandy Livingstone's "A Message to You Rudy", an equally stellar version of The Maytals' "Monkey Man", and a sizzling take on Prince Buster's "Too Hot".
Tracklist:
A1. A Message To You Rudy
A2. Do The Dog
A3. It's Up To You
A4. Nite Klub
B1. Doesn't Make It Alright
B2. Concrete Jungle
B3. Too Hot
C1. Monkey Man
C2. (Dawning Of A) New Era
C3. Blank Expression
C4. Stupid Marriage
D1. Too Much Too Young
D2. Little Bitch
D3. You're Wondering Now