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I Never Thought This Day Would Come

by: Duke Special

October 20, 2008
I bought Songs From The Deep Forest on the basis of a 4-star review in Q. Leafing through the various music magazines this past few weeks, I have yet to read a single review of his new album. Needless to say there are plenty of reviews of the new Girls Aloud album etc etc, but you'd think there would be room to review an album as outstanding as this. This is another 4-star album. The first time I heard it I thought it was way inferior to Deep Forest. Now after 5 listens, it stands comparison easily. Brilliant melodies, funny lyrics, great playing. Duke Special is hugely talented - but I get the impression that he will never be anything more than a cult artist. Shame, the guy is better than 99% of the stuff in the charts.

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The Specials

by: Specials

March 25, 2002
This is my favourite of the 2 Specials albums. 'More Specials' is quirkier, but this is equally fun and more up-tempo. I love to leap around to this record at every oportunity, (much to the annoyance of my neighbours). I could wiffle on about all of the profound lyrics and such and Terry Hall's deadpan style, but once you buy this record then you will find out for yourself. Suffice to say that this record is well worth getting for your collection. If you like that 2 tone sound, then it really doesn't get any better than this. And at this price it is a steal!!!!

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The Specials Singles: the Best of the Specials

by: The Specials

August 27, 1991
The Specials Singles is just that containing at least the a-sides of the 45's of one the greatest bands of all time. Opening with one of the strongest debut single of all time `Gangsters' it moves through double `a' side `Rudi, a Message to You' and `Nite Klub' to the first side of there live EP `Too Much Too Young' and the Skatalite inspired `Guns of Navarone'.

Stand alone single `Rat Race' is next before we move into less comfortable territory with double `a' `Stereotype' b/w `International Jet Set' and then `Do Nothing'. The magnificent `Ghost Town' is next together with both of its equally good b-sides `Why?' and `Friday Night, Saturday Morning'.

The quality drops as Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding leave to ... Read More:

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The Best Of

by: The Specials

March 31, 2008
Comprising an excellent greatest hits collection with a dvd of live performances and promo videos, this compilation is essential. Unless you're a big fan or completist this package contains everything you could want from The Specials' enduring legacy. Much of their music still sounds vital and contemporary. Along with The Beat's recent 2 cd compilation, You Just Can't Beat It (and maybe The Selecter's greatest hits), you have a capsule history of the late 70s/early 80s ska revival. Recommended.

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Songs from the Deep Forest

by: Duke Special

October 01, 2007
I made a beeline to see Duke at Guilfest 2007 having seen him on Jools Holland. They were fantastic live, and Chip on percussion with Duke was a great show. I still cannot believe they have not broken through to a bigger audience. This album is superb. If I was to compare to another I would suggest hints of early Billy Joel, but with an Ulster twang...

Buy it and enjoy

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More Specials

by: Specials

March 25, 2002
With 1980's adventurous More Specials the Coventry band overcame the 'difficult second album syndrome', a fate which has befallen many an artist over the years. They did this by broadening their musical palette; where their classic debut (effectively) embraces the ska and reggae of Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Toots and The Maytals, this album sees them venturing into a wider variety of genres, including northern soul (`Sock It To `Em J.B.'), spaghetti westerns soundtracks (`Stereotypes') and easy listening (`Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)'). That is not to say they jettisoned all that made The Specials so exciting and different: lead singer Terry Hall still delivers his vocals with a flat, deadpan delivery and the lyrics and subject matter remain rooted ... Read More:

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Superhero Brother

by: G. Love & Special Sauce

July 14, 2008
With 1980's adventurous More Specials the Coventry band overcame the 'difficult second album syndrome', a fate which has befallen many an artist over the years. They did this by broadening their musical palette; where their classic debut (effectively) embraces the ska and reggae of Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Toots and The Maytals, this album sees them venturing into a wider variety of genres, including northern soul (`Sock It To `Em J.B.'), spaghetti westerns soundtracks (`Stereotypes') and easy listening (`Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)'). That is not to say they jettisoned all that made The Specials so exciting and different: lead singer Terry Hall still delivers his vocals with a flat, deadpan delivery and the lyrics and subject matter remain rooted ... Read More:

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In The Studio

by: Specials

March 25, 2002
When The Specials hit the number one spot for the second time in their short career with `Ghost Town' no one realised it was to be their swan song but within two months Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding quit to form Fun Boy Three leaving Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, Horace Panter and Roddy Radiation to continue without them.

Reverting to the earlier name Special AKA their first project was to Back ex-Bodysnatchers Rhoda Dakar on her anti-rape song `The Boiler' which due to it's content was never going to sit easily at Radio One. Next up they recorded the single `Jungle Music' with ex-Skatalite trombonist Rico and acted as his backing band on his European tour.

On returning home they returned to the studio recruiting soul vocalist Stan Campbell ... Read More:

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Too Much Too Young

by: Specials

May 13, 1996
`Too Much Too Young' is a good companion to the `Specials Singles' album but useless as a `Best of' as it contains fourteen tracks culled from across the two studio albums `Specials' and `More Specials' plus the 45 `Rat Race' and the very rare remake of `Rude Boys Outa Jail' (limited edition 45 given away with `More Specials'). It doesn't contain the number one singles `Ghost Town' or `Too Much Too Young' (it does feature the tamer album version of Too Much) or debut single `Gangsters'.

So although it cannot be recommended as an introduction to the band it is a cheap way to get a flavour of both the Specials LP's for a bargain price. At this price it would be rude not to buy it.

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Stereo-Typical (A's, B's and Rarities)

by: Specials

August 21, 2000
`Stereo-typical' expands on the previous Specials collection `Singles' by adding `A's, B's & Rarities'.

Disc one is the best disc of the set containing all of the singles of the original Specials from debut pot boiler `Gangsters' through to epoch number one band closer `Ghost Town'. The chronological order also gives all of the b-sides and the whole of `The Special AKA Live EP' which also hit the number one spot. Also contained is the very rare Dutch only Release `Concrete Jungle (live)' b/w `Racquel'.

Disc two chronicles the band after Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding leave to form Fun Boy Three and the group continued under the revitalised name The Special AKA whose first release was the uncomfortable `The Boiler' with ex-Bodysnatchers Rhoda Dakar. ... Read More: