Christian McBride has enlisted the Police’s Sting and Andy Summers for a jazzy, updated version of the group’s 1983 song “Murder by Numbers,” which serves as the lead single from his upcoming album with his Big Band, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1. The project will be available Aug. 29 from Mack Avenue.
Sting, Summers and Police drummer Stewart Copeland made no new music during their 2007-8 reunion tour or afterwards, making this collaboration the first between members of the group since Sting played on Summers’ 1990 album Charming Snakes.
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“I am absolutely thrilled to have Sting and Andy Summers — two-thirds of one of the most influential bands in history, the Police — join me for one of their songs,” says McBride. “Sting continues to evolve gracefully as an artist, and Andy still plays with the sophisticated fire and grit he has always possessed. A huge thank you to both of them, as well as to the remarkable [percussionist] Pedrito Martinez, for bringing that special ‘thang’ that only he can provide.”
Sting, 73, sings “Murder by Numbers” here in a deeper, lower register than on its Synchronicity-era version, while Summers, 82, leans into a new solo at the song’s conclusion. Police fans recently cheered the release of still another take on “Murder by Numbers,” this time an early demo, which can be found on the deluxe reissue of Synchronicity.
As for McBride, his new album also boasts guest appearances from Jeffrey Osborne, Samara Joy, Dianne Reeves and Cécile McLorin Salvant. He’ll perform Aug. 3 at the Newport Folk Festival, where he serves as artistic director.
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