The Special AKA — Gangsters / The Selecter – The Selecter – Released May 4th 1979, 2 Tone Records
This iconic 7” was the first 2 Tone Records release which introduced the world to two of the most iconic British bands of all time.
The first being The Specials, or The Special AKA as they appear on the original single, with their famous breakout track Gangsters, and on the flip The Selecter.
Two great bands for the price of one, kickstarting a label which launched a whole movement, not just the two tone ska sound, or genre if you prefer, but an entire philosophy of racial harmony which was very much at odds with the British establishment at the time.
2 Tone Records, and the movement it helped to popularise, took the anti-establishment attitude of punk and fused it with Jamaican ska to create something fresh fun and instantly danceable, while still retaining that reactionary, rude boy ethos.
This was encapsulated in the visage of Walt Jabsco, the fictional character which appeared on the label’s logo, inspired by former Wailer, Peter Tosh.
This, in turn, helped to popularise two tone fashion, combining suits, very much in keeping with the look of Jamaican performers of the original ska era, with chequered colours representing the two tone aesthetic.
And then there’s the music itself which, though clearly a product of its time, remains timeless.
Despite emerging just a few days after I did, this release sounds every bit as engaging as it did 45 years ago. (I’d like to think I’m still just as lively too and every bit as much ahead of my time.)
Gangsters is a classic for all time from one of the greatest British bands of all time. It defined the sound of an entire era. It’s catchy and playful, yet moody and plaintive, an effect made all the more evocative though the power of Terry Hall’s vocals. And I still get goosebumps every time I hear it.
On the flip, fellow Coventry 2 Tone legends The Selecter, with an eponymous track that carries on that odd balance of mirth and moodiness, albeit with a slower instrumental piece.
(Worth noting, also, the first couple of bars of this tune were sampled by Orbital on the track Sad But True from their third album Snivilisation.)
Love the counterpoint between the steady Kingston ska beat and that lazy guitar, drifting along on a slumbering wave of reverb. On first listen they seem spar with one another musically, but not in a reactionary way, more in the playful, rowdy manner of mates jostling on their way home from the pub.
It’s the perfect pairing of tracks for this inaugural release. One which helped to define
ska music as we know it today and popularised a new youth movement based on racial harmony, steady grooves and a take-no-crap attitude.