REVIEW: Various Artists, Regatta Mondatta (Ark 21)

- Lang Whitaker

Finally. After a spring of nothing but rain, we have a day here in Atlanta that seems like it was imported from the Carribean. Time for an afternoon drive. I got the top down and sunglasses on, now I just have to find the appropriate music. Let's see, I'll give this reggae/Police tribute album, Regatta Mondatta, a shot.

Not that anyone needs another Police album, but Ark 21 has done a nice job in assembling Regatta Mondatta, a 20th anniversary Police album. One reason for the Police's popularity in the 80's was their incredible, genre-inclusive sound. A big part of that sound was Andy Summers' rhythm on the guitar, which was often on the 2 and 4 beats, a reggae hallmark.

Out of the driveway. The first track comes booming forth. Chaka Demus and Pliers collaborate on a hip-hopped cover of "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". Were it not for the dance hall rap from Pliers, this would fit right in on BET and the Box, which is not to say it wouldn't fit in now. Next up is British group Aswad's take on "Roxanne". The Grammy nominated Aswad puts a drum and bass flavor to the tune, while still keeping the orignal version's intensity and drive.

Turn right on Peachtree Road. Former Police frontman Sting puts in an appearance on the third song, sharing lead vocals on "Spirits in the Material World" with Pato Banton. Banton appeared on the CD single for Sting's "This Cowboy Song" a few years ago, so I guess this is his payback. The song works just as well as a duet as it ever did for Sting by himself.

Traffic. My favorite track on the album is Shinehead's previously-released transformation of "Englishman in New York" (which was a Sting solo number- never a Police song, but I guess it qualifies anyway) into "Jamaican in New York". Think Weird Al meets Cool Runnings. Shinehead even samples Branford Marsalis' lovely saxophone off of the original song and drops it into his version, which sold me on this one.

Stop sign. The first stinker of the album is Betty Wright's "Every Breath You Take". Wright's alto reminds me of Toni Braxton's smooth tone, but the music behind her saps all of the original version's scorching throb.

Yellow light...floor it. Sting puts in an encore appearance alongside Ziggy Marley on the classic "One World (Not Three)", which was more or less a reggae song anyway. Sting's lack of soul is readily apparent next to Marley's authentic ad libbing at the end of the track. Thinking back to when the Police were in their prime, Sting had enough moxie to go toe to toe with anyone from The Ramones or The Sex Pistols, but his recent retirement from actually making progressive music to VH-1 land must have sapped whatever venom he had left.

Right on Piedmont. Maxi Priest turns "Message into a Bottle" into a dance track with a steady rhythm. "Can't Stand Losing You", in the hands of Steel Pulse, sounds a heck of a lot like an Ace of Base song, but the overproduction doesn't detract too much.

Home. Eject.

Generally, the reggae artists all seem to be having fun with these songs, which is a marked difference from Sting's intensity. Many of the words are updated by the reggae artists. For instance, Sting's "(I see you sent my letters back) and my LP records and they're all scratched" is converted to "...and my CD collection and they're all scratched". The music itself is remarkably similar to the original versions. The cover artists also use a bunch of the signature licks and runs from the original songs, which make all of the new versions instantly recognizable.

There's nothing new or groundbreaking on this CD, but if you're a Police fan or a reggae fan, pick this one up. It will at least keep your head nodding and make you feel irie, mon.