44/876 (2018)

44/876 is a collaborative record between Sting and reggae artist Shaggy that’ll probably surprise fans of both. The pairing sounds unexpected on paper, but it’s a solid and surprisingly enjoyable release that stays true to its reggae-inspired sound. It’s a fusion of reggae, pop, and world music, with a heavy emphasis on upbeat rhythms and catchy hooks.

Some of these songs lean too hard on modern production, though. The self-titled opener 44/876 is the biggest victim of it. A few tracks also sound a little too similar to each other, which makes the album feel repetitive in stretches, and if you’re not deep in the world of reggae, you’ll probably notice that more often than not.

Despite those minor shortcomings, there are enough standout tracks to make it worth a listen. It’s a surprisingly solid record that’ll land with fans of both Sting and Shaggy. It’s great to throw on for a pool day or a beach day, and you don’t have to worry about it not fitting the vibe you’re going for. A couple of songs lean too far into modern production and a few blur together, but the sound is executed well and there are enough highlights to make it worthwhile. The more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it.

——————————————————

Highlight Songs:

• Waiting For The Break of Day

• Gotta Get Back My Baby

• Just One Lifetime

• Crooked Tree

• Sad Trombone

——————————————————

Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

I say just stream it. Unless you have a physical cd boombox that you take with you to outdoor events, you should stream this album whether it’s at home, in your headphones or over a bluetooth speaker. Definitely worth a listen and definitely worth adding a few songs to your playlists.

——————————————————

Overall Rating:

3 Stars