The Specials prep first new studio LP with Terry Hall in nearly 40 years
The Specials will release Encore, their first studio album with Terry Hall since 1980’s More Specials, on February 1. The album also features original guitarist Lynval Golding and bassist Horace Panter, as well as current drummer Kenrick Rowe and guitarist Steve Cradock of Ocean Color Scene. The record includes originals in addition to covers of The Equals’ “Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boy” and The Valentines’ late ’60s reggae classic “Blam Blam Fever.” No music has been shared yet but you can check out Encore‘s tracklist and artwork below.
Vocalist Neville Staples left the reformed lineup of The Specials in 2013, guitarist Roddy Radiation left in 2014, and original drummer John “JB” Bradbury died in 2015. Keyboardist Jerry Dammers, who was the principal songwriter on the first two Specials albums, has not been a part of The Specials since they reformed in 2008. Encore also marks the first album Hall has been central to since his 2003 album with Mustaq of Fun-Da-Mental — though he did contribute vocals to a number of songs on Dub Pistols’ 2007 album Speakers And Tweeters and has been featured on albums by Gorillaz and Junkie XL. Terry’s final single with the original Specials lineup was their 1981 classic “Ghost Town” and you can watch the video for that below.
The Specials will tour in 2019 as well — dates are still to be announced. The were in the U.S. playing shows earlier this year.
The Specials – Encore tracklist:
1. Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys
2. B.L.M.
3. Vote For Me
4. The Lunatics
5. Breaking Point
6. Blam Blam Fever
7. 10 Commandments
8. Embarrassed By You
9. The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Depression)
10. We Sell Hope
