In the Studio

This article is about the album. For the radio show, see In the Studio with Redbeard.

In the Studio
Studio album by The Special AKA
Released	June 1984
Recorded	1983-1984
Length	42:56
Label	2 Tone Records
Producer	Jerry Dammers
The Special AKA chronology
More Specials (1980) In the Studio (as The Special AKA) (1984) The Singles Collection (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

In the Studio is the third album from The Specials, released in 1984, long after the breakup of the original Specials. It charted in the UK Top 35.

The album was released under the name The Special AKA and was over two years in the making (hence the title). It was not as commercially successful as their previous two albums, although "(Free) Nelson Mandela" and "Racist Friend" became popular singles.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Jerry Dammers; except where indicated

1. "Bright Lights" (John Bradbury, Stan Campbell, Dick Cuthell, Dammers) – 4:11
2. "The Lonely Crowd" (Campbell, Dammers, John Shipley) – 3:52
3. "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" – 4:50
4. "Housebound" – 4:13
5. "Night on the Tiles" (Dammers, Shipley) – 3:04
6. "(Free) Nelson Mandela" – 4:07
7. "War Crimes" – 6:13
8. "Racist Friend" (Bradbury, Cuthell, Dammers) – 3:49
9. "Alcohol" – 5:01
10. "Break Down the Door" (Bradbury, Cuthell, Dammers) – 3:36

Personnel

• Stan Campbell - vocals
• Rhoda Dakar - vocals
• Jerry Dammers - organ, piano, vocals
• Gary McManus - bass guitar
• John Shipley - lead guitar
• John Bradbury - drums

Additional personnel

• Dick Cuthell - flugelhorn
• Claudia Fontaine - backing vocals
• Edgio Newton – vocals, percussion
• Horace Panter – bass guitar
• Roddy Radiation – lead guitar, vocals
• Nigel Reeve - saxophone
• Caron Wheeler - backing vocals

Technical Credits

• Nigel Reeve - remastering coordination
• Noel Summerville - remastering
• Adrian Thrills - sleeve notes

Design Credits

• David Storey - album cover design