Two Tone

punk rock and ska. The sound was pioneered in the late 1970s by UK bands such as The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat and early Madness. Many of these bands were signed to Two Tone Records which was set up by Specials founder Jerry Dammers, and was based around the Coventry area in the UK midlands.

The name that Dammers chose for his label had two meanings: It referred both to the black-and-white suits favored by ska-loving "rude boys", and it symbolized solidarity between blacks and whites at a time when racial tensions among the British working class were at an all-time high.

The label also released two albums by legendary Jamaican trombonist Rico Rodriguez (who had appeared on first two albums by The Specials).