Too much too young The 2 Tone Records story : rude boys, racism, and the soundtrack of a generation

Music historian Rachel (The Lost Album of the Beatles) presents a meticulous profile of the British record label that helped popularize post-punk ska music in the late 1970s and early '80s. Founded by members of the Specials in 1979, 2 Tone's lineup included Selecter, Madness, the Beat, the Bodysnatchers, and other bands who mixed a British punk rock ethos and Jamaican ska in an effort to foster an "inclusive" sound within a "deeply divided country." Despite those idealistic goals, the label was plagued by violence (members of the fascist National Front party regularly incited riots at shows) and financial infighting (Rachel places the blame largely on 2 Tone cofounder Jerry Dammers), which led to strained relationships, grueling recording sessions, and the label's 1986 collapse. Rachel effectively balances his enthusiasm about the label and what it stood for with a clear-eyed assessment of how a movement intended for good can go up in flames, though a surfeit of detail sometimes bogs down the narrative. This exhaustive account is best suited for devoted ska fans. Illus. (June)

In 1979, 2 Tone Records exploded on the British music scene. Mixing Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae, and punk music, it addressed social issues such as racism, class, and misogyny. Originating in Coventry, England, 2 Tone's signed bands such as the Specials, the Selecter, Madness, the Beat, and the Bodysnatchers took the music world by storm, creating a youth dance and music scene that worked to defy racial barriers in popular music. Balancing music and politics, Rachel's (Like Some Forgotten Dream: What If the Beatles Hadn't Split Up?) book presents a comprehensive account of 2 Tone Records from 1979 to 1986. He incorporates interviews with crucial 2 Tone insiders, including founder Jerry Dammers, musicians Terry Hall, Ranking Roger, Rhoda Dakar, and Pauline Black, and journalists, and fans who were part of the scene. He creates a well-rounded history of one of British history's most important musical movements. As much as it presents the unprecedented success of 2 Tone, the book does not shy away from the obstacles and infighting that ultimately lead to its demise. It has nearly 500 pages, which may intimidate some readers. VERDICT Rachel's writing and research of 2 Tone Records will draw readers, but the book is lengthy.--Rebekah J. Buchanan