The English Beat - Special Beat Service

One of my favorites

This is in my top 10 favorite CDs of all time. Great songs with great beats. Reggae-pop 80s vibe. February 16, 2008

sublime in every way

this record can be enjoyed on so many levels- as a cry in your beer tragic breakup record (many songs take a very barbed view of romantic relationships), a fun danceable party mix (nearly every song is an absolute winner), background music to clean, cook, or hum, etc.

25 years later and it is every bit as good as the day it came out. 100 years later, the same will hold true.

if you're gonna buy one english beat record, skip the hits compilations and get this--every song is sublime, or close to. January 11, 2008

one of the best ska albums

This is the third and unfortunately the last album by the originators of the Ska movement, The English Beat. Every song is really good. Some songs sound more like rock, with a twist, like "Save it For Later". Other songs, like "Sorry", "Pato & Roger", and "Sole Salvation" have more of a funky beat, and are extremly danceable. These guys are also top-notch musicians also. They don't miss a beat or a note. January 2, 2008

Rank This Full Stop

I am fortunate to have this on Vinyl and it is a classic album. Was also lucky enough to see them in concert at BB Kings Blues Bar NYC on 30 June this year. (If Dave and Marci from Pittsburgh are out there give me your email as I lost it!)

In terms of pure quality the End of the Party merits best track, although one can argue I confess is "Top Drawer" as is Sole Salvation and Ackee 123.

As for the rest...just hold my hand while I come to a decision on it!

David....Leeds UK August 13, 2007

Energizes a roomful of people like few other recordings

"Special Beat Service" is one of those rare recordings that never loses favor or fades with age. The English Beat are on top of their game here, singing and playing with madcap energy. The songs--a riot of riffs, driving percussion, high energy horns (particularly saxes), punctuating bass, shimmering guitar, spot-on keyboards--still sound brash and bold. And the vocals are a thing of wonder--soaring and confident.

Whether this recording was the band's best or worst is not a point I care to debate, but as it was the final release from The English Beat, I think it's certainly the one to start with. It certainly .
March 8, 2007

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