THE SPECIAL AKA – NELSON MANDELA 7″ – Nr MINT UK 1984 SKA 2 TONE

The Special AKA – Nelson Mandela
(2-Tone Records  1984  CHSTT26)
UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
a few light dust crackles at the very start

Sleeve in Nr MINT condition

The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English 2 Tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. 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. The band wore mod-style “1960s period rude boy outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers).” In 1980, the song “Too Much Too Young”, the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single “Ghost Town” also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart.

“Nelson Mandela” (known in some versions as “Free Nelson Mandela“) is a song written by British musician Jerry Dammers, and performed by the band the Special A.K.A. with a lead vocal by Stan Campbell. It was first released on the single “Nelson Mandela”/”Break Down the Door” in 1984.

• CHS TT26 7″

1. “Nelson Mandela” (Dammers) – 4:12
2. “Break Down the Door!” (Dammers, Campbell, Bradbury) – 3:48

• Elvis Costello – producer
• Stan Campbell – lead vocals
• Jerry Dammers – organ
• John Shipley – guitar
• Gary McManus – bass
• John Bradbury – drums
• Rhoda Dakar – vocals
• Molly Jackson – vocals
• Polly Jackson – vocals
• Dick Cuthell – trumpet
• Andy Aderinto – saxophone
• David Heath – flute
• Paul Speare – penny whistle
• Afrodiziak (Caron Wheeler, Naomi Thompson, Claudia Fontaine), Molly Jackson, Polly Jackson, Lynval Golding, Elvis Costello, Ranking Roger, Dave Wakeling – backing vocals