However, as with all aspects of 2 Tone, there are exceptions. This is because non-UK releases were handled directly by Chrysalis and as a result were given a Chrysalis catalogue number instead of the standard 2 Tone CHSTT identity. Germany and Holland seemed to enjoy a consistent release of 2 Tone material while other countries seemed to be offered only a sporadic release of singles.Ī closer examination of non-UK releases reveals that the sleeve and/or label will simply state ‘2 Tone’ or ‘A 2 Tone Record’. While Chrysalis continued with the paper label/grey label combination in the UK in the rest of the world things seemed to be a bit more disorganised. I would say this sleeve more than any other irked Dammers, given his annoyance with the flood of crap imitaion merchandise for his own record company to issue a sleeve like this, was unforgivable. There were also a few times when the sleeve designers seem to have completely lost the plot like the 2 dreadful German Rat Race sleeves, the first featuring cartoon rats running across a zebra crossing, and the second which uses a half-arsed imitation Jabsco. #Sadao watanabe morning island rarities fullHowever, almost all non-UK singles were issued with a picture sleeve and most had a common black and white Walt Jabsco theme, exceptions included the Spanish issues of A Message To You Rudy & Three Minute Hero, which feature full colour group shots. Prior to this all singles were issued in the die cut sleeve and another UK picture sleeve wouldn’t appear until the bands’ penultimate single Do Nothing. The labels first UK picture sleeve was Too Much Too Young. The deal with Chrysalis also meant that after initial copies of a single were pressed with paper labels all other remaining copies would appear with the rather bland grey ‘text-only’ plastic label, which doubtlessly cut back on the expense at the pressing plant. Once the deal was signed with Chrysalis, Walt made his way onto the die cut sleeve. These copies didn’t come with the famous die cut sleeve, instead they were issued in plain white sleeves stamped (by the band themselves) with the words “The Special AKA Vs The Selecter. Walts’ first outing was on the Gangsters 7″ label, which was initially distributed by Rough Trade. Walt Jabsco got his name from an old American bowling shirt that Dammers owned. Like all great design, the artwork captured the idea simply & perfectly.ĭammers loosely based the design of Jabsco on a picture of Peter Tosh from the cover of ‘The Wailing Wailers’ album, he liked the look that Tosh cut, describing it as ‘Defiant & Jamaican & Hard’. The die cut 2 Tone sleeve is listed among the most memorable record sleeves of all time, taking its place along side the likes of Jamie Reid’s artwork for the Sex Pistols and The Beatles Sergeant Pepper sleeve. It’s not just among the 2 Tone faithful that Walt Jabsco is held in such high esteem. While the concept of Walt was simply a label design for the first 2 Tone single he went on to sell vast quantities of (often illegal) merchandise which the label received no royalties from, as the legal side and hence the merchandising of 2 Tone was virtually non existent. The famous black and white chequered design has become synonymous with ska while Walt Jabsco has graced as many badges, poster and T-shirts as any human music icon ever has. The actual imagery of 2 Tone has become almost as famous as the music itself.
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