Recorded in London against a strangely familiar backdrop of political foment, anger at austerity policies and the sudden emergence of a revitalized left wing vying for Government, ‘Daylight’ looks at the modern world with classic Selecter energy, wit and danceability.
‘Daylight’ is also a spectacular return for one of the first British female stars to really shake up gender and racial stereotypes. Cropped and cool, Pauline was the girl who looked and moved like the sharpest rude boy. She flipped the Tonic suit and porkpie hat into a feminist statement, making the famous 2 Tone label man, flesh and female.
Many faces have moved through The Selecter’s line-up since their early days in Coventry. Now a mix of musicians – “four white and four black, very 2-Tone” – work with Pauline, Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson and producer-writer-arranger Neil Pyzer in a tight-knit family team.
The album features 10 brand new songs including new single and opening track ‘Frontline’ (straight onto the 6Music Playlist) which utilises a weapons-grade UK reggae rhythm to talk about the new place where confrontation takes place – digital and social media. Title track ‘Daylight’ sings of the straightforward joys and pains of everyday life, whilst ‘Pass The Power’ is a rallying cry for a newly politicised generation.
Heading off to the US in August to tour with Rancid & The Dropkick Murphys, The Selecter return to Europe and the UK later in the year. They will launch ‘Daylight’ at the (now sold out) London Roundhouse on October 6 with a special double-header with fellow 2 Tone veterans The Beat featuring Ranking Roger. Fans can expect classics from “On My Radio” and “Missing Words” plus the new tracks too.