Various Artists - Reggatta Mondatta (1997)

Subtitled "A Reggae Tribute to The Police," this is a CD of Police/Sting covers. The Police had a heavy reggae vibe on much of their music (particularly their early stuff), so its not much of stretch to rework these songs. This is a fun CD.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Peak on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart: #4

Tracks:

• Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - Chaka Demus & Pliers
  A great cover of my favorite Police tune.
• Roxanne - Aswad
  The electronic percussion isn't necessary, but the ska-influenced horn parts are a nice touch.
• Spirits in the Material World - Pato Banton featuring Sting
  I don't particularly like the original and this cover doesn't do anything to change my mind.
• Jamaican in New York - Shinehead
  One of those rare covers that is better than the original. Great ranking.
• Every Breath You Take - Betty Wright
  Predictable and a little too long, but not horrible.
• One World (Not Three) - Ziggy Marley & Sting
  Not much different from Sting's version on his live CD Bring on the Night. Ziggy has a great reggae voice just like his father.
• Message in a Bottle - Maxi Priest
  It didn't take much tinkering to make this a reggae song. Not a bad effort, though.
• Can't Stand Losing You - Steel Pulse
  Another fairly predictable track.
• Darkness - Los Pericos
  This is a deep album cut from Ghost in the Machine. The original is slightly more mysterious, but it doesn't have the great feel of this cover. This version uses some "drum and bass" beats that were popular in the mid-'90s.
• Walking on the Moon - Sly & Robbie featuring Ambilique
  Did this song really need a reggae cover? Not much here.
• The Bed's Too Big Without You - Sheila Hylton
  This song works great with a slower tempo and a heavier upbeat than the original.
• Wrapped Around your Finger - Jazz Jamaica featuring Courtney Pine
  This instrumental version sounds like a ska band was hired by Muzak.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I bought this CD used off eBay around 2001. I remember listening to it for the first time as I painted the hallway of my house one evening.