2 Tone Records
Encyclopedia
2 Tone Records was an English
record label
that mostly released ska
and reggae
-influenced music with a punk rock
and pop music
overtone
.
of the ska revival band The Specials
started the record label in 1979
. It spawned the 2 Tone
music and cultural movement, which was popular among skinhead
s, rudies
and some mod revival
ists. The label stopped operating in 1986. 2 Tone Records signed The Selecter
, Madness
and The Beat
, but they all left within two years. 2 Tone Records acts signed a contract that allowed them to leave the label after releasing just one single, which was unusual in the record industry. Madness and The Beat both took advantage of this clause; the former to sign to Stiff Records
, and the latter to start their own label, Go Feet Records
.
Although 2 Tone Records was closely identified with the ska revival, efforts were made to broaden the label's musical output, releasing recordings by artists such as singer-songwriter
Elvis Costello
and the funk
-punk band The Higsons
. Two bands that almost made it onto the label were UB40
and Dexys Midnight Runners
.
Jerry Dammers, with the assistance of Horace Panter
, created artwork that was to become central to 2 Tone Records. The Walt Jabsco logo portrays a man in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, pork pie hat
, white socks and black loafers
. The fictional character was based on a photograph of Peter Tosh
, a former member of The Wailers.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
that mostly released ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
-influenced music with a punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
overtone
Overtone
An overtone is any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency of a sound. The fundamental and the overtones together are called partials. Harmonics are partials whose frequencies are whole number multiples of the fundamental These overlapping terms are variously used when discussing the...
.
History
Jerry DammersJerry Dammers
Jeremy David Hounsell "Jerry" Dammers is a British musician who is a founder and keyboard player of the Coventry, England based ska revival band The Specials, The Special A.K.A...
of the ska revival band The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
started the record label in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
. It spawned the 2 Tone
2 Tone
2 Tone is a music genre created in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s by fusing elements of ska, punk rock, rocksteady, reggae, and New Wave. It was called 2 Tone because most of the bands were signed to 2 Tone Records at some point. Other labels associated with the 2 Tone sound were Stiff...
music and cultural movement, which was popular among skinhead
Skinhead
A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
s, rudies
Rude boy
Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi or rudy are common terms used in Jamaica. In the 1960s it was also used for juvenile delinquents and criminals in Jamaica, and has since been used in other contexts...
and some mod revival
Mod Revival
The mod revival was a music genre and subculture that started in England in 1978 and later spread to other countries . The mod revival's mainstream popularity was relatively short, although its influence has lasted for decades...
ists. The label stopped operating in 1986. 2 Tone Records signed The Selecter
The Selecter
The Selecter are a 2 Tone ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in mid 1979.Like many other bands in the ska revival movement, The Selecter featured a racially diverse line-up. Their lyrics featured themes connected to politics and marijuana, set to strong melodies and a danceable beat...
, Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
and The Beat
The Beat (band)
The Beat are a 2 Tone ska revival band founded in England in 1978. Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with themes of love, unity and sociopolitical topics....
, but they all left within two years. 2 Tone Records acts signed a contract that allowed them to leave the label after releasing just one single, which was unusual in the record industry. Madness and The Beat both took advantage of this clause; the former to sign to Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
, and the latter to start their own label, Go Feet Records
Go Feet Records
Go Feet Records was an English record label founded by, and predominantly used to release recordings by, the ska revival band The Beat . The band had some chart success in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The label also released a few recordings by other bands...
.
Although 2 Tone Records was closely identified with the ska revival, efforts were made to broaden the label's musical output, releasing recordings by artists such as singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
and the funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
-punk band The Higsons
The Higsons
The Higsons were an English funk-punk band popular in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.-History:Founded in 1980 at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, The Higsons' first recording was on the Norwich - A Fine City compilation album. The band signed to the 2 Tone Records label, along with bands...
. Two bands that almost made it onto the label were UB40
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
and Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners are a British pop group with soul influences, who achieved their major success in the early to mid 1980s. They are best known for their songs "Come On Eileen" and "Geno", both of which went No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart....
.
Jerry Dammers, with the assistance of Horace Panter
Horace Panter
Horace Panter also known as Sir Horace Gentleman, is the bassist for the Coventry 2 Tone, ska revival band The Specials....
, created artwork that was to become central to 2 Tone Records. The Walt Jabsco logo portrays a man in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, pork pie hat
Pork pie hat
A pork pie hat is a type of hat made of felt or straw. It is a type of fedora which has a cylindrical crown and flattish top. This style of crown is called a "telescopic crown", but the hat overall resembles the boater hat. It is short and has an indentation all the way around its top, allowing...
, white socks and black loafers
Loafers
Slip-ons are typically low, lace-less shoes. The style most commonly seen, known as a loafer or Slippers in American culture, has a moccasin construction. First appearing in the mid-1930s from Norway, they began as casual shoes, but have increased in popularity to the point of being worn in America...
. The fictional character was based on a photograph of Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh , was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of the band The Wailers , and who afterward had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari.Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica, an illegitimate child to a mother too young...
, a former member of The Wailers.
Artists
- The Apollinaires
- Bad MannersBad MannersBad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
(only for Dance CrazeDance CrazeDance Craze is a 1981 British documentary film about the English 2 Tone music genre.The film was directed by Joe Massot, who originally wanted to do a film only about the band Madness, who he met during their first US tour. Massot later changed his plans to include the whole 2 Tone movement...
) - The BeatThe Beat (band)The Beat are a 2 Tone ska revival band founded in England in 1978. Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with themes of love, unity and sociopolitical topics....
(aka The English Beat in the USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) - The BodysnatchersThe Bodysnatchers (band)The Bodysnatchers were a seven-piece all-female band involved in the British 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s and early 1980s.-Career:Formed in London by Nicky Summers in 1979, in the aftermath of the punk rock scene, The Bodysnatchers released two ska/rocksteady singles on 2 Tone Records...
- Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
& The Attractions (only for one unreleased single, CHS TT7) - The Friday Club
- The HigsonsThe HigsonsThe Higsons were an English funk-punk band popular in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.-History:Founded in 1980 at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, The Higsons' first recording was on the Norwich - A Fine City compilation album. The band signed to the 2 Tone Records label, along with bands...
- JB's Allstars
- MadnessMadness (band)In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
- Rhoda DakarRhoda DakarRhoda Dakar is a British singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label.-Career:...
- Rico RodriguezRico RodriguezRico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
- The SelecterThe SelecterThe Selecter are a 2 Tone ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in mid 1979.Like many other bands in the ska revival movement, The Selecter featured a racially diverse line-up. Their lyrics featured themes connected to politics and marijuana, set to strong melodies and a danceable beat...
- The SpecialsThe SpecialsThe Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
(sometimes called The Special AKA) - The Swinging Cats
Albums
- The Specials - SpecialsSpecials (album)Specials is the debut album by British ska revival band The Specials.Released in 1979 on Jerry Dammers' 2Tone label, the album is seen by some as the defining moment in the UK ska scene...
- The SelecterThe SelecterThe Selecter are a 2 Tone ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in mid 1979.Like many other bands in the ska revival movement, The Selecter featured a racially diverse line-up. Their lyrics featured themes connected to politics and marijuana, set to strong melodies and a danceable beat...
- Too Much PressureToo Much Pressure (album)Too Much Pressure was the first album by British ska band The Selecter. It was released in 1980 on 2 Tone records. The album charted at # 5 in the United Kingdom.The title track "Too Much Pressure" was featured in the film The Abyss.-Side one:... - The Specials - More SpecialsMore SpecialsMore Specials is an October 1980 album from the ska band The Specials. The album was the band's second, after their self-titled debut, and expanded the group's 2 tone sound to include lounge music and other influences. It includes collaborations with The Go-Go's, Rhoda Dakar from The...
- Various Artists - Dance Craze
- Rico RodriguezRico RodriguezRico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
- That Man Is Forward - Rico Rodriguez - Jama Rico
- Various Artists - This Are Two Tone (1983)
- The Special AKA - In the StudioIn the StudioIn the Studio is the third album from the ska band The Specials, released in 1984 - long after the break-up of the original Specials - and only just managed to get into the UK Top 35....
- Various Artists - The 2 Tone Story
Singles
- TT1 / TT2 The Special AKA - "Gangsters" / "The Selecter" - "The Selecter" 7" (Split single with The Selector)
- CHS TT3 MadnessMadness (band)In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
- "The PrinceThe Prince (song)"The Prince" is a song by British ska/pop band Madness. It was written by Lee Thompson, and was the band's first single. On 10 August 1979 the single was released through 2 Tone Records and peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart, spending a total of 11 weeks in the charts."The Prince" is a...
" / "Madness" 7" - CHS TT4 The SelecterThe SelecterThe Selecter are a 2 Tone ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in mid 1979.Like many other bands in the ska revival movement, The Selecter featured a racially diverse line-up. Their lyrics featured themes connected to politics and marijuana, set to strong melodies and a danceable beat...
- "On My Radio" / "Too Much Pressure" 7" - CHS TT5 The SpecialsThe SpecialsThe Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
- "A Message to You, RudyA Message to You, Rudy"Rudy, A Message to You" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone. The song later achieved broader success when in 1979, The Specials cover, titled "A Message to You, Rudy", reached Number 10 in the UK chart....
" / "Nite Klub" 7" (Ft Rico) - CHS TT6 The BeatThe Beat (band)The Beat are a 2 Tone ska revival band founded in England in 1978. Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with themes of love, unity and sociopolitical topics....
- "Tears Of A Clown" / "Ranking Full Stop" 7" - CHS TT7 The Special AKA - "Too Much Too YoungToo Much Too YoungToo Much Too Young can refer to:*Too Much Too Young" , a song by The Specials*"Too Much Too Young", a song by Little Angels...
", "Guns Of Navarone" / "Longshot Kick The Bucket", "Liquidator", "Skinhead Moonstomp" 7" (All tracks recorded live) - CHS TT7 Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
& The Attractions - "I Can't Stand Up for Falling DownI Can't Stand Up For Falling Down"I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" is a song by Sam & Dave released in 1967, written by Homer Banks and Allen Jones.British musician Elvis Costello covered the song in 1980 for his album Get Happy!!. It was one of 3 singles taken from the album in the UK and peaked at number four. It became one of...
" / "Girl's Talk" 7" (Unreleased - given away at gigs) - CHS TT8 The Selecter - "Three Minute Hero" / "James Bond" 7"
- CHS TT9 The BodysnatchersThe Bodysnatchers (band)The Bodysnatchers were a seven-piece all-female band involved in the British 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s and early 1980s.-Career:Formed in London by Nicky Summers in 1979, in the aftermath of the punk rock scene, The Bodysnatchers released two ska/rocksteady singles on 2 Tone Records...
- "Let's Do Rock Steady" / "Ruder Than You" 7" - CHS TT10 The Selecter - "Missing Words" / "Carry Go Bring Come" 7"
- CHS TT11 The Specials - "Rat Race" / "Rude Boys Outta Jail" 7"
- CHS TT12 The Bodysnatchers - "Easy Life" / "Too Experienced" 7"
- CHS TT13 The Specials - "Stereotype" / "International Jet Set" 7"
- CHS TT14 The Swinging Cats - "Mantovani" / "Away" 7"
- CHS TT15 Rico RodriguezRico RodriguezRico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
- "Sea Cruise" / "Carolina" 7" - CHS TT16 The Specials - "Do Nothing" / "Maggie's Farm" 7"
- CHS TT17 The Specials - "Ghost TownGhost Town"Ghost Town" is the title of a 1981 song by the British ska band, The Specials. The song spent three weeks at number one and ten weeks in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. Addressing themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment and violence in inner cities, the song is remembered for...
" / "Why ?" / "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" 7" - CHS TT12 17 The Specials - "Ghost TownGhost Town"Ghost Town" is the title of a 1981 song by the British ska band, The Specials. The song spent three weeks at number one and ten weeks in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. Addressing themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment and violence in inner cities, the song is remembered for...
" (Extended) / "Why ?" (Extended) / "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" 12" - CHS TT18 Rhoda & The Special AKA - "The Boiler" / "Theme From The Boiler" 7"
- CHS TT19 Rico Rodriguez & The Special AKA - "Jungle Music" / "Rasta Call You" 7"
- CHS TT12 19 Rico Rodriguez & The Special AKA - "Jungle Music" / "Rasta Call You" / "Easter Island" 12"
- CHS TT20 The Apollinaires - "The Feeling's Gone" / "The Feeling's Back" 7"
- CHS TT12 20 The Apollinaires - "The Feeling's Gone" (Dance Mix) / "The Feeling's Back" / "The Bongo Medley" (Extremely Long Version) 12"
- CHS TT21 The HigsonsThe HigsonsThe Higsons were an English funk-punk band popular in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.-History:Founded in 1980 at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, The Higsons' first recording was on the Norwich - A Fine City compilation album. The band signed to the 2 Tone Records label, along with bands...
- "Tear The Whole Thing Down" / "Y Lang, Y Lang" 7" - CHS TTS1 The Apollinaires - "Envy The Love" / "Give It Up" / "Tear The Whole Thing Down" / "Y Lang, Y Lang" 12" (White label promo only, split with Higsons)
- CHS TT22 The Apollinaires - "Envy The Love" / "Give It Up" 7"
- CHS TT12 22 The Apollinaires - "Envy The Love" / "Give It Up" 12"
- CHS TT23 The Special AKA - "War Crimes" / "War Crimes" (Version) 7"
- CHS TT10 23 The Special AKA - "War Crimes" / "War Crimes" (Version) 10"
- CHS TT24 The Higsons - "Run Me Down" (Long Version) / "Put The Punk Back Into Funk Pts 1 & 2" 7"
- CHS TT12 24 The Higsons - "Run Me Down" / "Put The Punk Back Into Funk Pts 1 & 2" 12"
- CHS TT25 The Special AKA - "Racist Friend" / "Bright Lights" 7"
- CHS TT12 25 The Special AKA - "Racist Friend" / "Bright Lights" / "Racist Friend" (Instrumental) / "Bright Lights" (Instrumental) 12"
- CHS TT25 The Special AKA - "Racist Friend" / "Bright Lights" 7" (Picture Disc)
- CHS TT26 The Special AKA - "Nelson Mandela" / "Break Down The Door!" 7"
- CHS TT12 26 The Special AKA - "Nelson Mandela" / "Break Down The Door!" 12"
- CHS TT27 The Special AKA - "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" / "Can't Get A Break" 7"
- CHS TT12 27 The Special AKA - "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" (Extended Version) / "Can't Get A Break" 12" (Early copies had free poster)
- CHS TT 272 The Special AKA - "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" / "Can't Get A Break" / "War Crimes" / "War Crimes" (Version) 7" (Twin 7" pack with "War Crimes" single)
- CHS TP 27 The Special AKA - "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" / "Can't Get A Break" 7" (Picture disc)
- CHS TT28 The Friday Club - "Window Shopping" / "Window Shopping" (Instrumental) 7"
- CHS TT12 28 The Friday Club - "Window Shopping" / "Window Shopping" (Instrumental) 12"
- CHS TT29 JB's Allstars - "The Alphabet Army" / "Al. Arm" 7"
- CHS TT12 29 JB's Allstars - "The Alphabet Army" / "String Mix" / "Radio Version" / "Al. Arm" 12"
- Tone FNMX1 The Special AKA - "Free Nelson Mandela" (70th Birthday Remake) / "Free Nelson Mandela" 12"
- TTP1 V/A - The 2 Tone Story promo EP 7" (4 track EP, Specials, Selector, Madness, promo for The 2 Tone Story LP)
- CHS TT30 The Specials - "Ghost Town" / "Ghost Town" (Dub '91) 7"
- CHS TT12 30 The Specials - "Ghost Town" / "Why ?" / "Ghost Town" (Dub '91) / "Version" 12"
- CHS TT31 Various Artists - The 2 Tone EP 7" (Special AKA, Madness, Selecter, Beat)