{"title":"The English Beat","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout The English Beat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe English Beat formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, known as The Beat in the UK and The English Beat in North America. The band was led by vocalist-guitarist Dave Wakeling and toaster Ranking Roger (1963-2019), and prominently featured veteran Jamaican saxophonist Saxa. Part of the two-tone ska revival, the band split in the early 1980s, with Wakeling and Ranking Roger forming General Public and other members forming Fine Young Cannibals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe English Beat blended ska, reggae, pop, soul, and punk into an upbeat, danceable sound characteristic of the two-tone movement, which paired Black and white musicians and promoted racial unity. Their music combined infectious rhythms with socially conscious and romantic lyrics, making them one of the leading acts of the early-1980s British ska revival.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eI Just Can't Stop It (1980, Go-Feet)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWha'ppen? (1981)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecial Beat Service (1982)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe band's three early-1980s albums have been reissued in expanded editions, and original Go-Feet and I.R.S. pressings are collected by two-tone and ska fans. Box-set compilations gathering the band's complete recordings have also circulated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to The English Beat often start with I Just Can't Stop It (1980). For related listening, see \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ska-vinyl-records\"\u003eSka\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/punk-new-wave-vinyl-records\"\u003ePunk \u0026amp; New Wave\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-english-beat-special-beat-service-cd","title":"Special Beat Service CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpecial Beat Service is a dynamic fusion of ska, pop, and punk influences and includes the standout hits \"I Confess\" and \"Save If For Later.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540748611767,"sku":"210000095023","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4396825-3313565.jpg?v=1781154123"},{"product_id":"the-english-beat-special-beat-service-140g-color-vinyl","title":"Special Beat Service LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe final album by the English Beat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540841115831,"sku":"210000094557","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/beat.jpg?v=1781154454"},{"product_id":"the-english-beat-i-just-can-t-stop-color-vinyl","title":"I Just Can't Stop LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eReissue of The English Beat's debut album, including the hits \"Mirror in the Bathroom\" and \"Tears of a Clown.\" Pressed on Limited Edition Magenta Vinyl. \"The songs remain hugely as their continued inclusion in the band's offshoot's repertoire have proved.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540892070071,"sku":"210000086014","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4276259-3080717.jpg?v=1781154624"},{"product_id":"the-english-beat-wha-ppen-vinyl","title":"Wha'ppen LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eTheir socially conscious and politically-oriented lyrics remain as relevant today as in the context of the album's original release during the 1981 riots in England.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540892201143,"sku":"210000092619","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/images_9d5559e5-bb9f-44d8-b3d5-b1a4ee97da13.jpg?v=1781154625"},{"product_id":"the-english-beat-i-just-cant-stop-it-vinyl-rsd-bf-23-expanded","title":"I Just Can’t Stop It 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eI Just Can't Stop It is the debut studio album by The English Beat, released on 23 May 1980 by Go-Feet Records in the United Kingdom. This 2LP reissue includes the original album along with a selection of rarities, alternate versions and live tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541009838263,"sku":"210000085191","price":39.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4258525-3050529-1200x1200.jpg?v=1781155070"},{"product_id":"the-english-beat-special-beat-service-rsd-bf-24-140g-color-vinyl","title":"Special Beat Service 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpecial Beat Service is a dynamic fusion of ska, pop, and punk influences and includes the standout hits \"I Confess\" and \"Save It For Later.\" This 2-LP deluxe edition also features live and non-LP tracks on 140g color vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541030711479,"sku":"210000093878","price":39.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4379473-3273773.jpg?v=1781155150"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/the-english-beat.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}