Sting & Shaggy, 44/876 - album review
As a music writer, this is one review we never thought we would be putting from keyboard to screen.
The sheer thought of reggae fusion king Shaggy and light rocker Sting collaborating raised a few eyebrows, and thoughts turned to the possibility that the album name, 44/876, could have come from the number of people who refused to believe the initial media announcement was real.
But when you delve a little deeper, it does make more sense. Both, Shaggy more obviously, are influenced by those Caribbean influences in their sound. And after meeting initially to experiment on one song, this expanded into the 12-track record we have before us.
Initial reactions were to scoff. This can’t work, right? Well actually…it kinda does.
Both are accomplished vocalists, whether you like Sting’s rather strained style or not. Both have voices recognised instantly, and despite their obvious and patent differences they sound pretty good when in harmony.
Gotta Get Back My Baby is a prime example of this. They sing together for most of the track, a nice poppy chorus allowing summer drenched beats to lift their vocals higher.
This is continued on Dreaming In The U.S.A. – that punchy guitar and percussion are so Sting it’s like a time capsule. A jazzy chorus adds to the classic rock feel and will prove a popular sing-along while driving. It’s like that song in the coming-of-age drama where the protagonist realises how to achieve their goal.
Sometimes when they are treading quite far down that reggae path it does feel a little cringe worthy. The opening title track, featuring Morgan Heritage and Aidonia, features the vocalists calling out to each other, and here Sting sounds very much like the uncool uncle at the party.
But when they combine to tell a story is when they are at their strongest. Sting has always been an accomplished songwriter, when his ego hasn’t got too far in the way.
Crooked Tree sees a courtroom drama unfold with Shaggy as the judge and Sting the long-time criminal trying to explain why he turned out like he did. It’s a sad tale, much like Sting’s excellent I Hung My Head that Johnny Cash famously covered.
And then there’s Night Shift which follows a man’s struggle balancing his job and family. The music here really elevates the pain of the tale.
This record has proved a lot of people wrong, and you have to commend them for it.
Rating: 7/10
