Originally formed in 1977, as The Coventry Automatics, The Specials combined Jamaican ska and rocksteady, mixed with the energy of punk they launched a whole ska revival. They also helped fellow likeminded bands such as Madness, The Beat, The Selecter to release their first singles.
'The Specials' was ranked among the top ten "Albums of the Year" for 1979 by NME. In June 2000 Q placed 'The Specials' at number 38 in its list of the 100 greatest British albums ever. Pitchfork Media featured 'The Specials' at number 42 in their list of the "Top 100 Albums of the 1970s". Rolling Stone listed the album at number 68 in their list "100 Best Albums of the Eighties", as the album was not released in the US until 1980.
2CD expanded version
Tracklisting
CD1:
1. Gangsters
2. A Message To You Rudy
3. Do The Dog
4. It's Up To You
5. Nite Klub
6. Doesn't Make It Alright
7. Concrete Jungle
8. Too Hot
9. Monkey Man
10. (Dawning Of A) New Era
11. Blank Expression
12. Stupid Marriage
13. Too Much Too Young
14. Little Bitch
15. You're Wondering Now
CD2:
1. Too Much Too Young (Live) [2015 Remastered Version] - The Special AKA
2. Guns Of Navarone (Live) [2015 Remastered Version] - The Special AKA
3. Skinhead Symphony (Live) [2015 Remastered Version] - The Special AKA
At The Paris Theatre 12/12/79
4. (Dawning Of A) New Era (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
5. Do The Dog (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
6. Rat Race (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
7. Blank Expression (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
8. Rude Buoys Outa Jail (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
9. Concrete Jungle (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
10. Too Much Too Young (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
11. Guns Of Navarone (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
12. Nite Klub (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
13. Gangsters (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
14. Long Shot Kick De Bucket (BBC In Concert At The Paris Theatre 15/12/79)
