The legendary band's new record is their first of new material in 37 years

The Specials have reacted to the news that their new album ‘Encore’ has reached the top of the Official UK Albums Chart.

‘Encore’ is the legendary ska band’s first record of new material in 37 years. It also features a new version of ‘Blam Blam Fever’ and a cover of The Equals’ ‘Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys’.

In a press release, the band said: “Recording the album has been one of the most amazing trips of our lives. What can we say? It couldn’t have been better timing. A real thanks to the fans who have stayed with us for all this time. We all share in this, thank you.”

The group reached number one after a close race with Busted, whose ‘Half Way There’ album missed out on the top spot by only 1060 sales.

‘Encore’ features the recent single ’10 Commandments’, which includes an appearance by activist Saffiyah Khan. On the track, she gives 10 rules to live by, including: “Thou shalt not tell a girl she deserved it because her skirt was too short.”

The Specials recently confirmed that they will head out on the road later this year in support of the new record and in celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary. The tour will kick off in Bournemouth on April 15 and culminate with two gigs at London’s O2 Academy Brixton in May.

Tickets for the shows are available now. The Specials will play:

April 2019

15 – BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy Bournemouth
16 – PORTSMOUTH Guildhall
17 – BRIGHTON Dome
19 – PLYMOUTH Pavilions
20 – EXETER University Great Hall
21 – CARDIFF University Great Hall
23 – BLACKBURN King Georges Hall
24 – LEICESTER De Montfort Hall
26 – BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
27 – LIVERPOOL Eventim Olympia
28 – MANCHESTER Academy
30 – LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds

May 2019

1 – CARLISLE Sands Centre
2 – GLASGOW Barrowland
4 – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 Academy Newcastle
5 – MIDDLESBROUGH Town Hall
6 – SCARBOROUGH Spa
8 – SCUNTHORPE Baths Hall
9 – YORK Barbican
10 – SHEFFIELD O2 Academy Sheffield
12 – CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
13 – SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
14 – MARGATE Winter Gardens
16 – LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
17 – LONDON O2 Academy Brixton