The Specials are the stuff of legend, that much can be agreed upon, but what is it about this collection that earns your hard-earned dollar? In a word, rarities. 'Rude Boys Out of Jail,' 'Guns of Navarone,' 'Maggie's Farm,' and 'Ghost Town' are classics worthy of inclusion on any ska collection, but due to the fact they weren't included on The Specials' LPs, they languish in obscurity. Hence this much needed collection. The only caveat to speak of is slightly less than stellar sound due to first generation mastering. Nonetheless, it remains the best Specials collection out there. A very fun, very danceable record.

Possibly standing as one of the biggest and most creative artists, in the early 70's Ska/Revival scene. Combining elements of punk's energetic approach to music, with New Waves rousing & Exuberant arrangements, their music was as friendly for the dancefloor, as it was for listening at home. But what separated them from their peers and earmarked them and possibly the most crucial act in that musical scene, was the fact the amongst the party(ish) vibe of the music, their's was a manifesto that took not only a political stance, but also a social conscience that made their music that rare breed. Music that could move your feet to, but had something (useful) to say.

Their music was a perfect example of attaching Party-inspired music arrangements, to Social & Political subjects that were disenchanted and Confrontational exposes of life in Britain in the early 70's. So a lot of the songs refer to important topics, whether it be a lament for people leading criminal lives to will ultimately end in tears ("Gangsters"), Women that end up getting pregnant/married early, and missing Crucial years in their lives ("Message to You Rudy"), Pouring scorn on the peoples hopeless and uneventful & hostile evenings in nightclubs ("Nite Klub"), the everyday pointlessness and mentally conformity of getting ahead professionally ("Rat Race"), heartfelt plea's to the controlling governmental powers for the release of Mandela ("Free Nelson Mandela"), People making judgemental decisions regarding others, or lumping them in fixed categories ("Stereotype"), the slow disintergration of the city/town, and it beginning to resemble a deserted town ("Ghost Town").

All of the Specials music, was musically rich, motivationally uplifting and encapsulates everything from Ska (obviously) funk-rhythm, Jubilant 2-Step, & bouncy New-Wave everything was given a groove and an accessibility that made sure that entering their music, was easy, and understanding the message behind the songs easy to grab. There are quite a few various compilations of the specials, but this is is easily the best. It not only collects all the hits singles "Ghost Town, Nite Klub, Gangsters, Rat Race, Message to you Rudy", on the disc, but it also collects some of the lesser known but equally worthwhile B-Sides, and Rarities & Cover Versions ("Guns of Navarone, Do Nothing, Racist Friend, Maggies Farm, Why?, Friday Night Saturday Morning")...obviously there will always be a couple of omissions (I do miss: "Concrete Jungle, War Crimes, Man At C & A, Blank Expression"), but for newcomers or people (like me) that don't really want to have to buy several albums, this is the best of the various compilations for the band, and easily the most encompassing 'Best of' for the band.

The Specials Singles Collection spans their first album, through the "Ghost Town" single, to the Special Aka album "In the Studio". Three songs from their self titled debut album are present, "Gangsters", the funky "Nite Club" and "Rudy, A Message to You". Inbetween the first and second album, they have several singles, including two live songs from the "Two Much Two Young" EP. The harmonica and blues guitar laden "Rude Boys Outta Jail" is included, but is slight. The Dylan cover "Maggie's Farm" is augmented with african drumming and Terry Hall's deadpan delivery. "Do Nothing" and "Stereotype" from "More Specials" are included as well. The entire "Ghost Town" 12 inch single is also present, featuring the only Specials composition by the future Fun Boy Three member Terry Hall ("Friday Night, Saturday Morning") and another by FB3 compatriot Lynval Golding ("Why?"). The final two are from "In the Studio". Rounding out the album are the calypso "Racist Freind" and the celebratory anthem "Free Nelson Mandela". The only tracks not available on CD elsewhere are the singles, which aren't really essential. The "Ghost Town" songs are some of the best the Specials ever recorded, but are only really of intrest to die-hard fans. Everything is entertaining, and might serve as a decent first album, as an introduction or an overview of their career. Also, considering how hard "More Specials" and "In the Studio" are to find, this may be the only way to get many of these songs. Fans should already have it, though.

This collection of Singles, apparently the US version, is really good. I had it on cassette and it wore out quickly, but was reincarniated in recommendations by other friends. I won't belabor what others have already said about certain songs (although I can't resist: "Ghost Town" is truly a classic song you'll never get tired of listening to), but I do recommend finding the UK version of "The Specials: Singles" which has many of the songs here and more. The UK version has a great song (almost as great as "Ghost Town"), "(What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend" as well as "International Jet Set" -- if the US version of "Best of" had these 2 songs it would be perfect.

Anyhow, if you can't scare up the UK version (I give 5 stars), buy this US version. You won't be able to resist playing it over and over again.

The specials are an interesting band-- Elvis Costello, of all people, produced their first album.

This is a good collection-- these songs are pretty much easy to get a consensus on. 'Ghosttown', 'Too Much, Too Young' and 'Gangsters' shine through for what they are: some of the greatest songs of the 80's. There is a bit of filler on here, yes, but, it's filler that grows on you as time passes by.

This is a must-have record for the ska/punk enthusiast. It's worth a gamble for most other people as well.