Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

This book's inclusion in the archive has been long in coming for a couple of reasons. Since Jason's passing my enthusiasm for the work of updating and maintaining the archive has waned a little and also Jason was usually the one keen to read and write the book reviews.

Jason and Daniel had been in touch since Daniel's previous excellent books "Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music and Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge" and "I Just Can't Stop It: My Life in The Beat". I was very pleased to see an acknowledgement for Jason Weir in the book from Daniel.

Despite some of the stories being known to many of us fans and collectors, this book genuinely feels like it might be the last word on the label and perhaps the go-to book for anyone coming fresh to learn about 2 Tone.

We are all aware of how well Daniel researches and writes from his previous books and this one is no exception. The breath of interviewees that he has been able to converse with have fleshed out many of the old stories and indeed produced some new ones.

In particular getting to interview Jerry Dammers was a real coup and gives extra weight to the book, a feat which virtually all other writers have been unable to achieve.

It is refreshing to be reminded once again how Jerry was absolutely the linchpin and creator of the label and The Specials and this document goes some way to realign the credit which had been hijacked from him in recent years.

A great read and we should be grateful for someone of Daniel's talents to document a movement that still resonates so strongly for many of us.