The Specials, key figures of the late 70s/early 80s ska revival, combined Jamaican ska and rocksteady with punk energy, paving the way for bands like Madness, The Beat, and The Selecter. With seven top 10 singles and two gold albums, their 1981 hit "Ghost Town"—inspired by urban decay and racial tensions—became a UK No. 1 and one of the decade’s best-selling singles. Recently named the second greatest UK single by The Guardian, this 40th Anniversary Edition is remastered at Abbey Road for superior audio quality.
