When Gong bassist Mike Howlett made this demo recording back in 1976, he inadvertently brought together the three men who were soon to attain worldwide fame as the Police. Police Academy album With Stewart Copeland coming off a stint with art-rockers Curved Air, Sting rebounding from jazz group Last Exit and Andy Summers having played with Soft Machine, it's not surprising that much of POLICE ACADEMY treads the murky waters of jazz-rock.
Glimmers of the future do occasionally peek through, though. The punky "Visions Of The Night" showcases Sting's emerging vocal style and the live, Stewart Copeland-penned "3 O'Clock Shot" is a precursor to later Police material. Also included is a somber, stripped down version of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" that gives a fascinating early peek at what later became a much more upbeat song. An interesting addition to The Police's brief but formidable canon.
Principally recorded at Virtual Earth, London, England in February 1977 and live in Paris on May 28, 1977. Includes liner notes by Mike Howlett.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Strontium 90: Sting (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, bongos); Mike Howlett (vocals, bass); Andy Summers (guitar); Stewart Copeland (drums).
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