44/876

Description

Sting wove Jamaican rhythms into his early work with The Police as well as his solo repertoire while Shaggy, born and raised in Kingston, cut his musical teeth in the dance hall clubs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The pair were initially introduced by Martin Kierszenbaum, Stings manager and Shaggys former A&R executive. After Sting heard a new track that Shaggy was working on, they decided to go into the studio together.

Initially, the plan was to only record Dont Make Me Wait, but the rhythms, lyrics and melodies flowed readily between the two accomplished musicians and more new songs emerged. Their collaborative, island-inspired album 44/876 blends Caribbean rhythms in traditional and modern styles with pop craftsmanship and rock energy. The vibrant 12-track collection is introduced by Morning Is Coming a brassy reggae track fueled by sultry horns as well as the current, Caribbean-flavored single Dont Make Me Wait.

44/876 was recorded in Jamaica and New York with Sting and Shaggy being joined by various musicians and writers including the legendary Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie, dancehall sensation Aidonia, Morgan Heritage, Branford Marsalis, Agent Sasco and Stings longtime guitarist, Dominic Miller as well as writers Taranchyla, Dwayne iLL Wayno Shippy, Shane Hoosong, Machine Gun Funk and Patexx. The sessions were produced in part by Sting International and by Martin Kierszenbaum (Sting, Madonna and Lady Gaga) and mixed by Sting International, Robert Hitmixer Orton and Tony Lake.