Special A.K.A-Gangsters/The Selecter UK7" Hand stamped ORIGINAL copy 2Tone *RARE

	£		127
	$		168

Special A.K.A-Gangsters/TheSelecter UK7" Hand stamped ORIGINAL cover 2Tone *RARE*

THE SPECIAL A.K.A. GANGSTERS vs THE SELECTER 1979 UK 7" vinyl single, with paper label and solid centre.

This initial Rough Trade distributed issue came with with a plain white sleeve and is one of the first run of pressings hand stamped by the band themselves in 1979, with the words THE SPECIAL A.K.A 'Gangsters' Vs THE SELECTER.

This stamped sleeve was limited to 5000 copies. The subsequent issues came in the standard 2-Tone sleeve TT 1/2 by which time The Special A.K.A had changed their name to just 'The Specials'

Following 'The Specials' split in 1982, Jerry Dammers continued to release material on the 2Tone label reverting to the name 'The Special AKA' (without punctuation) making this the only release bearing the name The Special A.K.A

The A side 'Gangsters', was the bands very first single release. This being the promo version.

The song is about an incident that happened to the band while on tour in France with The Clash They were held responsible for damage in a hotel that another English band (rumoured to be The Damned) had caused, and the hotel manager held one of their guitars as collateral.

The song is a reworking of Prince Buster's 1964 ska classic 'Al Capone',

Despite being a top 10 hit, the song did not appear on the UK version of any studio album by the band, although it was included on some overseas releases of their first album.

The B side, 'The Selecter', is a demo that was recorded a few years before its release by Neol Davies, John Bradbury & Barry Jones and came complete with its own unique catalogue number.

John Bradbury, who had only recently joined the band, replacing Silverton Hutchinson, suggested a instrumental track he had recorded in 1977 with Neol Davies called "The Kingston Affair". Dammers asked Davies to put a ska rhythm guitar on the song and it was then retitled "The Selecter", becoming the B-side to "Gangsters"

Produced by Roger Lomas and recorded at Horizon Studios in Coventry ìn January 1979,

The record was the biggest selling independent single of the year, and allegedly cost only £700 to record. It was given a full release two months later, and went on to reach No. 6 in the UK charts for the week of 2-8 September, 1979, becoming both The Specials' and the 2 Tone label's first hit record.

A. Matrix etching 'Gangsters' 'TT + 1 - 3' and 'OR' meaning it was an Orlake first pressing.

B. Matrix etching 'TT 2-1' and  'EG'. Which were the initials of the Plating Engineer Edward E. (Eddy) Gorecki.

Gangsters has the 'Fade out ending' as expected on this issue.

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**This record has been in my possession for many years as part of my vinyl singles collection, and was given to me by one of The Specials band members in person, during my time working in the music industry,

Please feel free to contact me via Ebay messaging for more details including provinence**

Record condition is Excellent. However it has one minor blemish to the paper label on side A where it looks like a sticker was removed at some point. (See photo) Plays with no skips or jumps. Great condition for age with very minor signs of use. No scratches but a few very minor scuffs on the vinyl itself which dont affect playability whatsoever. I have tried to capture this in the photos.

Original white paper die cut cover condition is used but in Excellent condition for age with no tears. Minor signs of shelf wear. Slightly off white in colour due to age, which in my opinion adds to its authenticity, character and appeal.

*Please note this is the original sleeve and not a reproduction*

Clear plastic protection sleeve included

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All photos are of actual item.

Records are visually inspected, test played and cleaned with a dry microfiber cloth only before dispatch. Further cleaning may be required by buyer.

Descriptions are as accurate as possible. Please see my photos.

This will be packaged appropriately before sending with stiff double layer corrugated cardboard inside a waterproof mailing bag.

The vinyl will be in a seperate die cut sleeve or paper wrapped to prevent damage to the original sleeve

Please note, I use recycled materials where possible.

UK postage.

Please message for international postage costs BEFORE bidding.

This item will be sent via Royal mail. Large letter 2nd class postage. Tracked, Insured and signed for.

Please bid and buy with confidence.

Please message with any questions.

Happy bidding!