{"product_id":"two-tone-the-albums-8-cd-collection-essential-two-tone","title":"Two Tone the Albums 8-CD Collection - Essential Two Tone","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Two Tone the Albums, the bottom line is clear: this 8-CD collection is for listeners who want a compact, definitive archive of the early Two Tone label and its defining ska and reggae-inflected sound. Compiled to mark the label's 40th anniversary, the set gathers the first eight albums issued on Two Tone, making it the most convenient way to hear foundational releases by The Specials, The Selecter, Rico and the various artists compilation material in one package. Fans seeking historical context and the original album sequencing will find the collection especially worthwhile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete early catalogue:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collects the first eight albums released on Two Tone so listeners can hear the label's formative years without tracking down separate discs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes albums by The Specials, The Selecter and Rico plus two various-artists compilations that showcase the label's broader roster and live energy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnniversary packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Issued for the 40th anniversary, the set frames these albums as a cohesive historical document for collectors and newcomers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLive and rarities content:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features the sought-after live concert album Dance Craze and This Are Two Tone, which compiles several non-album releases important to the scene.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChronological listening:\u003c\/strong\u003e Disc order follows early releases, letting listeners follow the label's development from 1979 into the early 1980s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection is aimed at ska and reggae listeners who want a single-box overview of Two Tone's earliest, most influential albums, including fans of The Specials and The Selecter who prefer owning original album sequences on CD. Collectors who appreciate anniversary editions and historical compilations will value the inclusion of live and non-album tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListeners who only want a handful of hit singles or who prefer vinyl originals rather than CDs should look elsewhere, since this set is an 8-CD compilation oriented around albums rather than a singles anthology or a vinyl reissue package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive early catalogue gathering eight original albums for convenient listening and archiving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes rare and live material like Dance Craze and non-album tracks on This Are Two Tone, adding historical depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood for newcomers who want to trace the label's growth and for collectors wanting a compact anniversary set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly available as a CD collection, so vinyl enthusiasts or those seeking a singles compilation may find it less useful.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackaging and liner note details are not listed here, so buyers who care about extensive booklet essays should verify those separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo Tone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-CD collection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncludes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbums by The Specials, The Selecter, Rico, plus Dance Craze and This Are Two Tone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnniversary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40th Anniversary compilation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal releases 1979 to early 1980s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo Tone the Albums is a smart purchase for anyone who wants a packaged, chronological archive of the label's first and most influential releases; it offers historical breadth with studio albums, live recordings and rarities across eight CDs, delivering strong value for collectors and newcomers interested in the Two Tone movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the set include the Specials albums?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the set includes The Specials Special and More Specials as part of the eight discs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre live recordings included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the collection contains the live concert album Dance Craze among the eight CDs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a singles compilation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, this release focuses on early albums and compilations from the Two Tone label rather than a greatest-hits singles package.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chrysalis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48174948155611,"sku":"B08C7HP9NN","price":51.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81tFOtYu6LL._SL1500.jpg?v=1769613059","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/two-tone-the-albums-8-cd-collection-essential-two-tone","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}