LABELLED WITH LOVE PT.1

Since the dawn of the era of recorded music, record labels have existed. A way for musicians to get their art out into the world, and into the homes of music lovers. A way for companies to promote, make money from, and own the rights to millions of songs. But also a way to establish a brand, an identity, that the record buying public would recognise as a mark of quality, associate with a particular genre. Record labels have gone on to become as iconic as the artists whose music they release, familiar logos that stick in the minds of anyone who has ever bought music on a physical format, especially vinyl. The centre labels on the 7" singles in my Dads record collection which i played as a child still remain memorable to me now: the swirling Vertigo logo, the red and tan EMI, the silver Bell Records label, RAK, A&M, Polydor and many others. But throughout the history of recorded music their have been record labels whose raison d'etre has been more than to just sign and release the work of musicians. There are those - mainly independent - record companies who wished to promote an ideal, make a statement, one which they shared with the artists they signed. Sometimes it was to promote a specific genre of music, or a scene that they felt deserved more attention. But occasionally a label would pop up that would unite artists who shared a common cause, not just in the music they played but in a social and political belief, a rallying cry for change. One such label was 2-Tone Records. Begun in 1979 by Jerry Dammers - the leader, keyboard player and main songwriter of The Specials - it promoted not only the music of bands influenced by 1960's and 70's Ska and Rocksteady music and the diy spirit of Punk, but the twin ideals of racial harmony and social equality. This was an era when racism was rife, encouraged by the National Front and the BNP, unemployment was high and the newly elected Thatcherite Tory government were slowly dismantling the very idea of "society", causes like Rock Against Racism and the Labour supporting Red Wedge were springing up, popular with youth who wanted a fairer, more just world. Music with a message that you could dance to, and a movement you could be a part of, well that was always going to be hit in an age when tribes were still very popular.

2-Tone had many hits and started the careers of not only The Specials but Madness, The Selecter and The Beat, but played a key part in the ska revival which, while short lived introduced Jamaican music to a new generation, and influenced the morals and beliefs of many young people who went on to fight for anti-racist causes. A later line-up of The Specials kickstarted a campaign to "Free Nelson Mandela", something which eventually came to pass in 1990. The music is still hugely popular today, with most of the bands still actively touring and recording, although some with different personnel. The iconic black and white chequered label, with the 2-Tone man Walt Jabsco, is a historical piece of artwork recognised the world over.  There is even a museum dedicated to the label in its hometown of Coventry. Last year was the 40th anniversary of 2-Tone, marked by many events including a singles boxset containing 12 reproduced 7" singles in their original sleeves, put together by Jerry Dammers. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one, something i will treasure. 2-Tone was very much a singles-oriented label, and the fact that most of its 45's were huge hits is testament to the brilliance of the music.