The Specials AKA feat Rico - Jungle Music

What this video is

Released in February 1982 as one of the final singles on the 2-Tone label, 'Jungle Music' represents the transitional moment when The Specials — rebranded as The Special AKA after the departure of Terry Hall, Neville Staple and Lynval Golding — were exploring new sonic territory. The track, written by Rico Rodriguez and produced by Jerry Dammers, blends reggae, ska and African hi-life influences, foreshadowing the…

Why it matters

A pivotal document of the 2-Tone movement's late evolution, 'Jungle Music' bridges the raw, multiracial ska-punk energy of 1979–1981 with a more sophisticated reggae-hi-life fusion. As one of the last 2-Tone label releases, it captures the genre at the point of creative expansion and commercial…

The director

Barney Bubbles (born Colin Fulcher, 30 July 1942 – 14 November 1983) was an English graphic artist whose work encompassed graphic design and music video direction, closely associated with the British independent music scene of the 1970s and 1980s. He joined…