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The Singles Collection [The Specials] [CD] [1 disc]

The Specials
1 disc

1. Gangsters
2. Rudi, A Message to You
3. Nite Club
4. Too Much Too Young (Live)
5. Guns of Navarone (Live)
6. Rat Race
7. Rude Boys Outta Jail
8. Maggie's Farm
9. Do Nothing
10. Stereotype
11. Ghost Town - (12" version)
12. Why?
13. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
14. Racist Friend
15. Free Nelson Mandela
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 21823
Credits

Producer
Engineer
A collection of material released by The Specials (and its splinter group The Special AKA) from 1979 to 1984.
The Specials: Terry Hall, Neville Staples (vocals); Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation (guitar); Jerry Dammers (keyboards); Sir Horace Gentleman (bass); John "Brad" Bradbury (drums).
Additional personnel: Rico Rodriguez (trombone).
Producers: Elvis Costello, The Special AKA, Jerry Dammers, Dave Jordan, John Collins, Dick Cuthell.
Although the Specials were widely influential, they were not the most prolific band to walk the punk/ska boards, so fans have to content themselves with collections like this. Fortunately, this compilation stands out for featuring not just their "hits" ("A Message to You Rudy," "Nite Klub"), but also b-sides, live tracks, and rarities. Of particular note is the inclusion of the powerful and dance-worthy anthem, "Free Nelson Mandela," recorded under the name the Special A.K.A. after the official demise of the Specials. The song, written by Jerry Dammers and the Bodysnatchers' Rhoda Dakar, was the musical culmination of the anti-racist, anti-apartheid sentiments that were coming to a boil in the mid-'80s U.K. punk scene, and found original purchase in the 2 Tone movement that the Specials came to define.
Critic Reviews

Q (10/00, pp.136-7) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...As straightforward a flab-free compilation as they come, adding some double-A-sides for ballast..."