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White Rabbit signs the story of 2 Tone Records by Daniel Rachel
White Rabbit has acquired the story of 2 Tone Records by Daniel Rachel, a former musician and award-winning author of books such as Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (Picador).
Lee Brackstone, publisher, acquired world rights excluding the US and Canada for Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story by Daniel Rachel from Carrie Kania at C&W, with publication scheduled for 19th October 2023 in hardback, trade paperback, audio and e-book.
The publisher says: “In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national conscience as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.
“The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a record label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.”
Rachel said: “As a child, 2 Tone defined the way I saw the world. I was seduced by the off-beat rhythms, the cool looking clothes and most importantly the social and political lyrics. 2 Tone taught me about black and white unity, it gave a voice to the pointlessness of street violence, and it provided an understanding and awareness of the horror of rape and apartheid. That you could dance, look good and be educated by a record was incredible.
“This music and these bands have printed an indelible mark on my life. To write the story of 2 Tone is one of profound personal pride. But more so, to honour one of the greatest periods in modern popular culture. 2 Tone at its heart was a movement of great songwriters, musicians and songs.”
Brackstone said: “The music and the aesthetic of 2 Tone set the dial for the prevailing mood of the counterculture in the 1980s, and we’re still feeling the aftershocks of the extraordinary achievements of the label four decades later.
"Through exhaustive interviews with the major artists and those associated with the label and deep research, award-winning writer Daniel Rachel brings the story of 2 Tone to life: the joy of a uniquely creative moment which arguably did more than any other to challenge racism and class prejudice in Britain, and in the process enlightened a generation of fans and created a catalogue of unparalleled quality.”
