Best Of: Sight & Sound [Import], The Specials, CD

The Specials were one of the defining bands of the late 70's/early 80's along with Jerry Dammers iconic label Two Tone Records. Originally formed in 1977, as The Coventry Automatics, The Specials combined Jamaican ska and rocksteady, mixed with the energy of punk and launched a whole ska revival. The group released "Gangsters" as their first single in the summer of '79, quickly followed by the classics "A Message To You Rudy," "Do Nothing" and "Rat Race." They released their eponymous debut album in 1979, followed by More Specials in 1980. During this time, the band had two UK No. 1 singles, a live version of "Too Much Too Young" from The Special AKA Live EP and the unforgettable "Ghost Town" in the summer of 1981. Dammers continued as The Special AKA in late 1981, releasing their third album In The Studio which included the iconic single "Nelson Mandela."