Sting - The Dream Of The Blue Turtles

The Dream of the Blue Turtles is the debut solo studio album by English musician Sting, originally released in June 1985 via A&M Records.

After the release of The Police’s 1983 album Synchronicity and subsequent stadium tour, the band decided to go on hiatus and Sting launched his solo career.

His debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles moved into new musical territory as he put together a touring band with whom he recorded the album, who were all well-known jazz musicians; Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Kenny Kirkland (piano), Omar Hakim (drums) and Darryl Jones (bass). Sting moved from bass to playing guitar for his new solo adventure, marking a major shift from his role in the Police.

The songs cover an eclectic mixture of topics from traditional love songs (“Consider Me Gone”, “Fortress Around Your Heart”) to political current affairs (“Russians”, “We Work The Black Seam”), and historical commentary (“Children’s Crusade”). The song “Moon Over Bourbon Street” was composed while Sting was in New Orleans and he has said that it was inspired by Anne Rice’s gothic noir novel “interview with the Vampire”, which is partially set in the French Quarter of the city.

Five singles were released from the album; "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Fortress Around Your Heart", "Russians", "Love Is the Seventh Wave" and “Moon Over Bourbon Street”.

The album reached #2 on the US Billboard 200, #3 on the UK and #1 on the Australian albums chart.

This album is a 2022 repress on 180 gram black vinyl with a printed inner sleeve and remastered audio, pressed in Europe via A&M Records.