Sting - Brand New Day

By the late '90s, Sting had reached a point where he didn't have to prove his worth every time out; he had so ingrained himself in pop culture, he really had the freedom to do whatever he wanted. He had that attitude on Mercury Falling, but it was too somber and serious, everything that its successor, Brand New Day, is not. Light, even effervescent, Brand New Day feels like little else in Sting's catalog. Not that it represents a new beginning, contrary to what the title may promise. The album is not only firmly within his tradition, it sounds out of time -- it's odd how close Brand New Day comes to feeling like a sequel to Nothing Like the Sun. Musically, that is. The sparkling, meticulous production and the very tone of the music -- ranging from light funk to mellow ballads to the Lyle Lovett tribute "Fill Her Up" -- are of a piece with Sting's late-'80s work. That's the main thing separating it from Ten Summoner's Tales, his other straight pop album -- well, that, and the levity. There are no overarching themes, no political messages on Brand New Day -- only love songs, story songs, and, for lack of a better term, inspirational exhortations. This is all a good thing, since by keeping things light he's managed to craft an appealing, engaging record. It may not ask as much from its audience as Sting's other '90s efforts, but it's immediately enjoyable, which isn't the case for its cousins. Brand New Day doesn't boast any new classics, and it does sound a little dated, but it's well-crafted, melodic, and has a good sense of humor -- exactly the kind of record Sting should be making as he embarks on the third decade of his career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Althea Rogers Vocals (Background) Andrew Felluss Assistant Engineer Aya Takemura String Engineer, Assistant Engineer B.J. Cole Pedal Steel, Guitar Ben Kape String Engineer, Assistant Engineer Bob Ludwig Mastering Branford Marsalis Clarinet Brian Garten Assistant Engineer, String Engineer Carter Smith Photography Cheb Mami Vocals Chris Blair Mastering Engineer, Engineer Chris Botti Trumpet Darryl Tookes Vocals (Background) David Hartley Arranger, Organ (Hammond), Organ, Conductor, String Arrangements Dennis Collins Vocals (Background) Dominic Miller Guitar Don Blackman Organ (Hammond), Organ Elliot Scheiner Surround Mix, Mixing Etienne Colin Assistant Engineer, String Engineer Farhat Bouallagui String Arrangements, Leader, Conductor Gavyn Wright String Conductor, Leader Geoff Foster String Engineer, Engineer Hopps Assistant Engineer Isobel Griffiths Orchestra Contractor, Conductor James Taylor Vocals (Background), Vocals Janice Pendarvis Vocal Contractor, Vocals (Background) Jason Rebello Clavinet, Piano Jeff Levison Digital Transfers Joe Peccerillo Engineer Joe-Mama Nitzberg Direction John Mendez Vocals (Background) Kathryn Tickell Fiddle, Northumbrian Smallpipes, Pipe Ken Williams Vocals (Background), Vocals (Background) Kipper Producer, Keyboards, Drum Programming Kouider Berkan Strings Kouider Berkane Strings Manu Katche Drums Marlon Saunders Vocals (Background) Michael Etchart Supervisor Mino Cinelu Percussion Moulay Ahmed Strings Mustapha Ettamri Darbouka Neil Dorfsman Engineer Nico Dupont String Engineer, Assistant Engineer Olaf Heine Photography Paul Bishow Supervisor Richard Frankel Package Design, Design Ricky Graham Assistant Engineer, String Engineer Salem Bnouni Strings Sameh Catalan Strings Simon Osborne Mixing, Engineer, Mixing Engineer Ste Vocals Stephane Levy B Assistant Engineer Stevie Wonder Harmonica Sting Vocals (Background), Main Performer, Bass, Vocals, Producer, Synthesizer, Guitar Synth, Guitar Sting International Vocals (Background), Guitar Synth, Bass, Producer Tawatha Agee Vocals (Background) Vaneese Thomas Vocals (Background) Vinnie Colaiuta Drums