The Specials - A's, B's & Rarities

Whether you're new to Ska or a seasoned fan of the Specials, this 3 CD set of 46 songs will be a welcome addition. Unlike so many "out of the vaults" boxed sets we're seeing nowadays, these CDs are not full of stuff that would have been better left forgotten.

The Specials were a band of two halves. The 'classic' Specials were one of the most exciting bands to emerge in the post-punk period. Then they split and Jerry Dammers continued with what was left, his now departed creative rivals replaced by various guests. The first CD covers the 'classic' period and is pretty much flawless. From Gangsters to the import only Concrete Jungle/Raquel they can do no wrong. All the singles (a's b's and a few odds and ends) are here.

The second and third CDs cover the post-split band Special AKA (except for longer versions of Ghost Town and Why?). This version of the band only recorded one album (In The Studio), but left behind many more 'remixes' and 'alternative' versions than the original band. It has to be said, however, that the consistent brilliance that marked the first CD sags a bit here. The distinct identity of the band is also lacking, and at times it's like listening to a various artists collection. There are some classics here ('Nelson Mandela', 'Racist Friend', 'What I Like Most...') as well as the hard to find "Ghost Dance '91" and three attempts to blend Ghost Town with new song 'Let Us Unite' (with a bit of 'Nelson Mandela' thrown in).

Tracklist:Disc: 1

1. Gangsters
2. Message To You Rudy - Specials & Rico
3. Nite Klub - Specials & Rico
4. Too Much Too Young
5. Guns Of Navarone
6. Skinhead Symphony Medley
7. Rat Race
8. Rude Boys Outa Jail
9. Stereotype
10. International Jet Set
11. Do Nothing - Specials & Rico
12. Maggie's Farm - Specials & Rico
13. Braggin' And Tryin' Not To Lie - Specials & Roddy Radiation
14. Rude Boys Outa Jail (Version)
15. Ghost Town
16. Why listen
17. Friday Night Saturday Morning
18. Concrete Jungle
19. Racquel

Disc: 2

1. Boiler - Specials & Rhoda
2. Theme from the boiler - Specials & Rhoda
3. Jungle music - Specials & Rico
4. Rasta call you - Specials & Rico
5. Easter Island - Specials & Rico
6. War crimes (the crime remains the same) - Specials
7. Version - Specials
8. Racist friend - Specials
9. Bright lights - Specials
10. Nelson Mandela - Specials
11. Break down the door - Specials
12. What I like most about you is your girlfriend - Specials
13. Can't get a break - Specials
14. Nelson Mandela (1) - Specials & Friends
15. Ghost dub '91 - Specials
16. Let us unite - Specials

Disc: 3

1. Ghost town - Specials
2. Why - Specials
3. War crimes (the crime remains the same) - Specials
4. Rascist friend - Specials
5. Bright lights - Specials
6. Nelson Mandela - Specials & Friends
7. Break down the door - Specials
8. What I like most about you is your girlfriend - Specials
9. Can't get a break - Specials
10.Nelson Mandela - Specials & Friends
11.Ghost Dub '91/Let us unite - The Specials

The Specials - Stereo-Typical A's, B's and Rarities Disc 1
The Specials - Stereo-Typical A's, B's and Rarities Disc 2
The Specials - Stereo-Typical A's, B's and Rarities Disc 3