British ska/New Wave band English Beat, formerly The Beat, split up after which 1982 LP?

The English Beat split up after releasing the 1982 LP Special Beat Service. Also known simply as The Beat in Britain, the band made Special Beat Service its third studio album and final full-length release before the original group broke apart.

Released by Go-Feet Records in the United Kingdom, the album showed the band moving beyond its early two-tone ska foundation into polished new wave and pop. Its track list included “I Confess,” “Jeanette,” “Save It for Later,” “Sole Salvation,” and “Ackee 1-2-3.” The record was also issued in the United States through IRS Records, where the group was marketed as the English Beat to avoid confusion with other bands named The Beat.

The breakup did not end its members’ musical careers. Vocalist and guitarist Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger later formed General Public, while bassist David Steele and keyboardist Andy Cox became part of Fine Young Cannibals. The English Beat name has also been used by later touring lineups, but Special Beat Service marks the end of the original band’s studio-album run.