Shaggy is once again teaming up to release an album with Sting, only this time it’s Shaggy recreating Frank Sinatra classics in a reggae style, produced by Sting. The album is titled Com Fly Wid Mi and is set to debut on May 25th, 2022.
In yet another surprising chapter in their already unexpected pairing, Com Fly Wid Mi was born out of a “crazy idea” Sting had while on tour with Shaggy a few years ago. The new album boasts reggae interpretations of some of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ most beloved songs, kicking off with the uplifting ode to resilience “That’s Life,” followed by “Come Fly with Me.” The album also includes the sultry, “That Old Black Magic,” the metaphoric euphoria of being in love embodied on “Fly Me to the Moon,” and the misery of lost love on “Angel Eyes.” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Witchcraft,” and “Under My Skin,” among other fan favorites, are also featured with the album’s full track listing included below.
Sting explains, “This idea of getting my friend to sing ten iconic songs from the Frank Sinatra songbook in a reggae style had been brewing for a while…I know, it sounds crazy! But every time the idea crossed my mind, it made me smile. And what does the world need now, more than anything else…something to smile about!”
Watch: Com Fly Wid Mi – The Sinatra Songbook In A Reggae Style | Q&A with Shaggy & Sting
“I’ve always been a Sinatra fan,” says Shaggy. “As a child, Frank’s music was often playing in our house and on Sundays, all of the Jamaican radio stations would play the greats – Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, et cetera.” He continues, “It’s great to be working with Sting again. He’s the brother I never knew I needed!”
Sting adds, “The reason reggae may work here is because there’s a joy and energy about it which is similar to the energy that Frank’s music had at its summit. You know the songs, you know the voice, you just never expected this. He’s not trying to be Frank, he’s Shaggy. So, relax and let that smile soothe the cares of the world away.”
For the new album, the pair hand-picked a group of revered reggae, jazz and mainstream musicians and enlisted musical director, Rob Mathes (Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Fall Out Boy, Luciano Pavarotti, Celine Dion) and producer/musician, Steven “Lenky” Marsden (Sean Paul, Sly & Robbie, Smash Mouth, Jimmy Cliff, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer) to arrange the songs. Recorded in Miami and Jamaica, Com Fly Wid Mi was engineered by Grant Valentine, Earl Smith Jr. & Garfield McDonald and mixed by Robert “Hitmixer” Orton.
Shaggy – Com Fly Wid Mi Tracklisting:
1.) That’s Life
2.) Come Fly with Me
3.) That Old Black Magic
4.) Fly Me to the Moon
5.) Luck Be a Lady
6.) You Make Me Feel So Young
7.) Under My Skin
8.) Saturday Night
9.) Witchcraft
10.) Angel Eyes
11.) Witchcraft (guitar/voice) *BONUS TRACK
Related Links:
Shaggy Website
@direalshaggy
Article By: Mike Patti
Photo By: Arturo Lorde
