Sting: Brand New Day - 2000

 

This is a comparatively little-mentioned Sting album that, while betraying many familiar Sting-isms has a strong and varied world music ambience together with some contemporary backing sounds as well. It is more vibrant than its predecessor but, on reflection, I think I prefer the former’s subtle nuances. 

A Thousand Years is one of those Sting-by-numbers, subtly rhythmic, world music-influenced sleepy grooves. There is a nice, deep bassy warmth to the sound that reflects contemporary musical trends. Desert Rose is the track that probably got the most airplay. This one is very influenced by Arabic-muslim West African-Sufi rhythms and is most seductive, sonically. Although Sting had been here before, in terms of influence, it still shows quite a radical departure in sound - quite different from those early jazzy influences. In fact, it is notable Algerian musician Cheb Mami who guests on the track. 

Big Lie Small World has a catchy, acoustic Latin-esque guitar backing and some hip-hop-r ‘n’ b style slowly thumping drums and along with a fine Branford Marsalis clarinet makes for an intoxicating brew. 

After The Rain Has Fallen has a fine, driving percussion sound, some great organ and a catchy chorus break. It reminds me a bit of If I Should Lose My Faith In You. Current sexy dance shuffles introduce the slow and seductive Perfect Love...Gone Wrong. Sting’s vocal is impressive on this, although the departure into French rap breaks the atmosphere somewhat, although I quite like its jerky, staccato jazziness. Check out that lovely, deep bass too. 

A similar, but more relaxing, late-night mood is to be found on Tomorrow We’ll See. Just as on the previous album, Sting dabbles in country on the immensely enjoyable and lively Fill Her Up and Ghost Story is one of those suitably ghostly and ethereal wintry-sounding songs that Sting does so well. Brand New Day has Stevie Wonder unmistakably guesting on harmonica on a shuffling, attractive end to an underrated album.