The Police’s Regatta De Blanc (Album Review)

By Nadia Azizuddin

Reggatta De Blanc, which roughly translates to White Reggae, perfectly encapsulates the new wave, reggae rock, pulsating rhythm and bouncing bass lines essence of English rock band The Police’s second studio album. Its opening track, Message In A Bottle, became the group’s first number hit one on the Uk singles charts for its jazzed up reggae with definitive rock foundation; though we might know it better from its appearance in Guitar Hero II. This album is the perfect zero-skip, easy listen given its mellow feel and often repetitive arrangement. For example the second song, semi-instrumental title track Reggatta De Blanc combines rapid percussion, simple bass rhythm, gentle guitar textures and vocal chanting which evolved from improvised stage jams and went on to win a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1980. Sting’s striking bass lines alongside Copeland’s drumming make for a very impressive rhythm section, their teamwork is particularly alluring on the album’s seventh track, On Any Other Day. This parodic episode of miserable suburban life accompanies tight fast paced drums and steady rhythmic bass; the chorus is far more upbeat and melodic with the bass sprinting between high and low pitch and the more frequent use of the cymbals. Blending the band’s classic understated lyricism with groovy reggae beats and pop rock soul, this album has been held in high regard for decades by critics and audiophiles alike.