2 Tone Records was an English

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

that mostly released

ska Ska (; ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. It combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska is characterized by a walki ...

and

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

-influenced music with a punk rock and pop music overtone. It was founded by Jerry Dammers of

the Specials The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English Two-tone (music genre), 2 tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. After some early changes, the first stable lineup of the group consisted of Terry Hall (singer), Terr ...

and backed by

Chrysalis Records Chrysalis Records () is a British record label that was founded in 1968. The name is both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders' names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis. It started as the Ellis-Wright Ag ...

History

Jerry Dammers of the ska revival band

started the record label in 1979. Chrysalis had wanted to sign the Specials, but Dammers arranged a label deal, for Chrysalis to fund 15 singles a year and release at least ten of those. The label spawned the

2 Tone Two-tone, two tone, or 2 tone, etc., may refer to: Audio and sound * Two-tone analysis, in nonlinear system measurement * Two-tone attention signal * Two-tone chime, such as the "ding dong" sound of a doorbell * Two-tone sequential paging, sel ...

music and cultural movement, which was popular among skinheads,

rudies Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi, and rudy are slang terms that originated in 1960s Jamaican street culture, and that are still used today. In the late 1970s, there was a revival in England of the terms ''rude boy'' and ''rude girl'', among other ...

and some

mod revival The mod revival was a subculture that started in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and later spread to other countries (to a lesser degree). The mod revival's mainstream popularity was relatively short, although its influence lasted for deca ...

ists. The label stopped operating in 1986, though "2 Tone" is still used as an imprint for back catalogue issues. 2 Tone Records signed the Selecter,

Madness Madness or The Madness may refer to: Emotion and mental health * Anger, an intense emotional response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat * Insanity, a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns * ...

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 Stiff Records is a British independent record label formed in London, England, by Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera. Originally active from 1976 to 1986, the label was reactivated in 2007. Established at the outset of the punk rock boom, Stiff ...

, and the latter to start their own label,

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 (known as the English Beat in North America). The band had some chart success in the United Kingdom in the 1 ...

. 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 Declan Patrick MacManus Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in ...

and the

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the m ...

-punk band the Higsons. Dammers, with the assistance of Horace Panter and graphic designers John "Teflon" Sims and David Storey, created artwork that was to become central to 2 Tone Records. The logo portrays a man in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, pork pie hat, white socks and black loafers. Named "Walt Jabsco", the fictional character was based on a photograph of

Peter Tosh Winston Hubert McIntosh, OM (19 October 1944 – 11 September 1987), professionally known as Peter Tosh, was a Jamaican reggae musician. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, he was one of the core members of the band the Wailers (1963� ...

, a former member of

the Wailers ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

. Walt got his name from an old American bowling shirt that Dammers owned. He influenced the design of an

emoji An emoji ( ; plural emoji or emojis) is a pictogram, logogram, ideogram or smiley embedded in text and used in electronic messages and web pages. The primary function of emoji is to fill in emotional cues otherwise missing from typed conversat ...

: .

Artists

The Apollinaires The Apollinaires were a British 2 Tone/post-punk group from Leicester, England, signed to 2 Tone Records. History The band formed in Leicester as a six-piece, composed of musicians from various local bands and students from the Leicester School ...

Bad Manners Bad Manners are an English two-tone and ska band led by frontman Buster Bloodvessel. Early appearances included ''Top of the Pops'' and the live film documentary, ''Dance Craze'' (1981). They were at their most popular during the early 1980 ...

(only for '' Dance Craze'') * The Beat (known as "The English Beat" in the US) * The Bodysnatchers *

& the Attractions (only for one unreleased single, CHS TT7) *The Friday Club * The Higsons *JB's Allstars *

Rhoda Dakar Rhoda Dakar (born 1959) is a British singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label. She also worked with The Specials and Special AKA, also 2-Tone artists. Career Dakar, bor ...

* Rico Rodriguez * The Selecter *

The Specials The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English Two-tone (music genre), 2 tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. After some early changes, the first stable lineup of the group consisted of Terry Hall (singer), Terr ...

(sometimes called "The Special AKA") *The Swinging Cats

Discography

Albums

*The Specials — ''

'' * The Selecter — ''

Too Much Pressure ''Too Much Pressure'' is the debut studio album by English Two-tone (music genre), 2 tone ska revival band the Selecter. After the band's official formation in 1979 in Coventry, following the release of a song entitled "The Selecter" by an unoffi ...

'' *The Specials — ''

More Specials ''More Specials'' is the second album by English ska band the Specials, released by 2 Tone Records in September 1980. After the success of the band's self-titled debut, band member Jerry Dammers assumed the role as the band's leader and stirred t ...

'' *Various Artists — '' Dance Craze'' * Rico Rodriguez — ''That Man Is Forward'' *Rico Rodriguez — ''Jama Rico'' *Various Artists — ''This Are Two Tone'' (1983) *The Special AKA — '' In the Studio'' *Various Artists — ''The 2 Tone Story'' *The Specials — ''Singles'' *The Specials — ''Live at the Moonlight Club'' *Various Artists — ''Best of 2 Tone'' *Various Artists — ''The Compact 2 Tone Story''

Singles

*TT1 / TT2 The Special AKA — " Gangsters" / The Selecter – "The Selecter" 7" (Split single with The Selecter) *CHS TT3

— "

The Prince ''The Prince'' ( it, Il Principe ; la, De Principatibus) is a 16th-century political treatise written by Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli as an instruction guide for new princes and royals. The general theme of ''The ...

" / "Madness" 7" *CHS TT4 The Selecter — " On My Radio" / "Too Much Pressure" 7" *CHS TT5

— "

A Message to You Rudy "A Message to You Rudy" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone. Originally titled "Rudy a Message to You", the song later achieved broader success when, in 1979, a cover version by The Specials reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart. ...

" / "Nite Klub" 7" (Ft Rico) *CHS TT6 The Beat — " Tears of a Clown" / "Ranking Full Stop" 7" *CHS TT7 The Special AKA — " Too Much Too Young", " Guns of Navarone" / "Longshot Kick the Bucket", " Liquidator", "

Skinhead Moonstomp "Moon Hop" is a 1969 single by Derrick Morgan. Backed with the Reggaeites' "Harris Wheel", it reached #49 on the UK Singles Chart. The British Afro-Caribbean ska and reggae band Symarip covered "Moon Hop" as "Skinhead Moonstomp"; whilst unsucces ...

" 7" (All tracks recorded live) *CHS TT7

& The Attractions — "

I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" is a song written by Homer Banks and Allen Jones (record producer), Allen Jones. Originally recorded by soul duo Sam & Dave in 1967, the song was famously covered by New wave music, new wave musician Elvis Cos ...

" / "Girl's Talk" 7" (Unreleased – given away at gigs) *CHS TT8 The Selecter — "

Three Minute Hero "Three Minute Hero" is a song and single written by Neol Davies and performed by English 2 tone ska revival band the Selecter. It is the opening track on side one of their album ''Too Much Pressure ''Too Much Pressure'' is the debut studio alb ...

" / "James Bond" 7" *CHS TT9 The Bodysnatchers — "

Let's Do Rock Steady "Let's Do Rock Steady", also known as "(People Get Ready) Let's Do Rock Steady" and "People Do Rock Steady", is rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone that was first released in October 1967 as the flip side to his single "We Are Still Rude". It ...

" / "Ruder Than You" 7" *CHS TT10 The Selecter — " Missing Words" / "Carry Go Bring Come" 7" *CHS TT11 The Specials — "

Rat Race A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely. The term is ...

" / "Rude Boys Outa Jail" 7" *CHS TT12 The Bodysnatchers — "Easy Life" / "Too Experienced" 7" *CHS TT13 The Specials — "

Stereotype In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for example ...

" / "International Jet Set" 7" *CHS TT14 The Swinging Cats — "Mantovani" / "Away" 7" *CHS TT15 Rico Rodriguez — "Sea Cruise" / "Carolina" 7" *CHS TT16 The Specials — " Do Nothing" / " Maggie's Farm" 7" *CHS TT17 The Specials — "

Ghost Town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...

" / "Why?" / "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" 7" *CHS TT12 17 The Specials — "Ghost Town" (Extended) / "Why?" (Extended) / "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" 12" *CHS TT18 Rhoda & The Special AKA — "

The Boiler "The Boiler" is a single by Rhoda Dakar with The Special AKA (The Specials). It was released in January 1982 on 2 Tone Records. Early version "The Boiler" is about a woman with low self-esteem (she compares herself with an old boiler) who is ra ...

" / "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 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 Higsons — "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 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...

" / "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) (released in 1993) *CHS TT32 The Specials — "Sock It to 'Em J.B. (Dub)" / "Rat Race (Dub)" 7" (released for

Record Store Day Record Store Day is an annual event inaugurated in 2007 and held on one Saturday (typically the third) every April and every Black Friday in November to "celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store". The day brings together fa ...

2014)

References

External links

2 Tone record collection

The 2 Tone TrailDiscography at Discogs
{{Authority control British record labels 2 Tone Records