Reggae-ta De Blanc

Of all the brilliant things that the UK has given the world…The Beatles, Carbonated Water, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Misty In Roots, vacuum cleaners…The Police have to be near the top of that list.  Synchronicity was the first recorded album I ever purchased and listening to it changed my ear for music.  It is probably why I’m a life long reggae devotee.

The reggae community has always embraced The Police.  Not just because their sound is heavily influenced by reggae more than anything else, but also because they were one of the mega-successful, world-dominating, arena rock bands that put reggae artists on tour (the others being The Rolling Stones and The Clash).

1982’s Ghost In The Machine tour featured Black Uhuru, then led by a young Michael Rose, as the only opening act.  The Police then grabbed Peter Tosh for their tour of Canadian arena’s in the summer of 1983.  The Police also famously played the World Music Festival in Jamaica 1982.

“Bed’s Too Big Without You,” like most Police tracks, features a wicked, wicked bass line from Sting and great drums by Stewart Copeland.  You know who I’d love to hear laying down this riddim?

Sly & Robbie! featuring Sheila Hylton doing a cover of the same tune.  Recorded at Harry J’s, 1980.  MURDEROUS VERSION!