Reggatta Mondatta: A Reggae Tribute to the Police
It's only fitting that some of reggae's top stars should record Police songs, as Sting and Co. were enormously influenced by reggae, and their popularity gave reggae a needed boost in public awareness. Twelve artists working in different genres, from roots to dancehall, run through spirited versions of some of the band's (mostly Sting's) most famous songs, including "Roxanne" (Aswad), "Message in a Bottle" (Maxi Priest), and "Every Breath You Take" (Betty Wright), while Sting himself contributes to tracks by Pato Banton and Ziggy Marley. Many of the artists also add lyrics of their own, but what becomes obvious from these fresh interpretations is how brilliantly crafted these songs were in the first place, and how well they wear today.--Derek Rath