Description
Sting – The Dream Of The Blue Turtles – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on June 1, 1985, The Dream of the Blue Turtles is Sting’s debut solo album, following the breakup (or indefinite hiatus) of The Police. This record marked a dramatic departure from The Police’s post-punk and reggae-tinged rock, instead diving into a fusion of jazz, pop, rock, and world music. It showcased Sting’s ambition to evolve as a composer, lyricist, and bandleader, making it a bold, genre-blurring statement that proved his artistry went far beyond the confines of The Police.
After The Police’s monumental success—culminating in 1983’s Synchronicity—Sting was eager to explore new musical horizons. He assembled a band of elite jazz musicians. This fusion of pop songwriting with jazz virtuosity gave the album a sophisticated, cosmopolitan edge, setting it apart from much of the mainstream pop and rock of the mid-1980s.
Musically, The Dream of the Blue Turtles blends jazz Fusion, rich, improvisational solos, complex rhythms, and lush horn arrangements. Hints of Caribbean rhythms, African-inspired grooves, and global textures. At its heart, Sting’s gift for melody and hook remains intact, making the album accessible despite its ambition.
Notable Tracks & Highlights
“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” – The album’s lead single, a funky, jazz-tinged pop hit built around a free-spirited message about love and independence. It set the tone for Sting’s more philosophical approach to pop.
“Fortress Around Your Heart” – One of Sting’s most cinematic and poetic ballads, with gorgeous guitar work and a sweeping arrangement. Its metaphorical lyrics about emotional distance remain a career highlight.
“Russians” – A stark, Cold War ballad critiquing mutual distrust between the US and Soviet Union. Built on a haunting Prokofiev melody, it’s one of the era’s most memorable political songs.
“Love Is the Seventh Wave” – A breezy, reggae-inspired track that bridges back to Sting’s Police roots while embracing his new global sound.
“Children’s Crusade” – A haunting meditation on the tragedy of war, linking World War I to the heroin epidemic of the 1980s. The poetic depth here is classic Sting.
“Moon Over Bourbon Street” – A stunning jazz noir ballad inspired by Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. Sting’s performance is theatrical and evocative, showing off his growing love for storytelling in song.
“We Work the Black Seam” – A protest song about coal miners and industrial decline, connecting personal stories to larger socio-political forces.
The Dream of the Blue Turtles was a critical and commercial success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and eventually going triple platinum in the US alone. It cemented Sting’s status as a solo force, proving he could stand outside the shadow of The Police and still sell out stadiums.
Critics praised the album’s ambition, though some found its fusion of jazz and pop a bit self-consciously intellectual. Still, it helped popularize jazz-influenced pop in the 1980s, paving the way for other artists to blur genre boundaries.
In 1985, Sting also released the concert film Bring on the Night, documenting his rehearsals and early solo tour with his new jazz band, further reinforcing his artistic reinvention.
The Dream of the Blue Turtles is more than just a solo debut—it’s a bold declaration of artistic independence, full of social consciousness, musical curiosity, and fearless genre-hopping. It proved Sting wasn’t afraid to grow up, even if it meant losing some of The Police’s edgy cool along the way.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Love Is The Seventh Wave
Russians
Children’s Crusade
Shadows In The Rain
We Work The Black Seam
Consider Me Gone
The Dream Of The Blue Turtles
Moon Over Bourbon Street
Fortress Around Your Heart
