Album review: THE BEAT – The Complete Studio Recordings

THE BEAT - The Complete Studio Recordings

Edsel [Release date 12.05.14]

Formed in Birmingham in 1979, The Beat had a string of hit singles and released 3 studio albums- 1980’s “I Just Can’t Stop It”, followed by 1981’s “Wha’ppen” and 1982’s “Special Beat Service”. I’d like to call the trilogy reggae, reggaer and reggae even more but by “Special Beat Service” the band had begun to sound a bit more mainstream.

The original band was made up of Dave Wakeling (Vocals./Guitar), Ranking Roger (Vocals), Andy Cox (guitar), Everett Morton (drums), David Steele (bass) and saxophonist Saxa and after the bands demise various members went on to form or join the likes of Fine Young Cannibals, Big Audio Dynamite and Pato Banton.

The band’s 3 studio albums spawned hits and favourites such as “Mirror in The Bathroom”, “Hands Off…She’s Mine”, “Cheated”, “I Am Your Flag”, “Doors Of Your Heart” and “Save It For Later”- the latter covered several time by both Pete Townsend and The Who. The bonus disc in the box set contains the band’s singles “Tears Of A Clown” and “Too Nice To Talk” amongst others plus 7 dub remixes.

Having not really experienced The Beat before I was only aware of a couple of their bigger hits, however, this 4 CD box set has opened me up to their influential 2-tone sound and I may now delve deeper into the genre.

I would recommend opening a cold beer, turning up The Beat and enjoying the sunshine. ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)