Características
Cover songs are difficult. Either they are badly re-sung and only a bland copy of the original, or so different that the song is somehow broken in the process. Particularly special are the cases where audiophile special versions are recorded by unknown singers, which then sound quite great, but are stripped of any artistic value. Very rarely, however, there are cover versions that are not only different, but also experience their own charm through their new interpretation. This recording is exactly such a case. Kevyn Lettau offers analog recorded jazz variations of the well-known 'The Police' songs with a much larger instrumentation than the British trio and fearlessly incorporates an organ and brass as well. The result is not a re-singing of the familiar, but something entirely new and the realization that the songs are bigger than the band itself.
Kevyn Lettau is actually only known to a few jazz connoisseurs. Born in Brazil and raised in Berlin, the American had her breakthrough as a jazz vocalist back in 1984 as musical accompaniment to Brazilian Sergio Mendes and subsequently recorded for JVC and Universal Music. The present album was originally released with a different cover under the name "Walking in your Footsteps" in the USA and later only with a promotional "Police" in Europe.
For the mastering of this album, the analog master tapes privately owned by Kevyn Lettau were used and only with this it becomes clear how heavily Universal Music had reworked the album for the CD release in 2000. The new mastering by veteran Tohru Kotetsu at the JVC studio results not only in improved spaciousness and increased detail, but also a boost in dynamics. Warm and detailed are the keywords for the sound and even a pure pop listener can do something with these jazzy versions of the album.
Kevyn Lettau himself commented on the songs for the album.
Here once a strongly shortened summary with the title list:
Message in a Bottle - A breakup song that reminded them of touring with Al Jarreau in East Germany and is about depression in a hidden way.
Wrapped around your Finger - A liberation song that is also about growing up. The song builds and builds instrumentally until liberation.
Every Breath you Take - Recorded in a church and with gospel leanings, it's not about a simple love song, but about stalking.
Murder by Numbers - A nasty little song that's great fun live and is further supported here by strings.
Every Little Thing She (He) Does Is Magic - Actually a classic love song, but a sad one, because the protagonist doesn't dare to confess his love. With Kevyn, however, the song ends so happily that it becomes clear that he will dare.
Walking in your Footsteps - A personal tribute to Sting with complex rhythms.
King of Pain - Finally a song that is so strong that you can't do anything wrong, because the story just carries the singer through it.
When The World Is Running Down - Interlude - This song simply didn't work as intended, but remains as a funky sample with a radio sound.
Synchronicity 1 - Scat vocals and a band driving forward completely change the song.
Don't Stand So Close To Me - Kevyn's father was a teacher, had ongoing affairs with his students and was even to marry them twice. The female vocals give the song a completely different perspective.
De do do do, De da da da - Recorded in one take the first time through. Irony and wordplay on the subject of song lyrics.
I Burn for You - With live strings just beautiful.
1. Message in a Bottle
2. Wrapped around your Finger
3. Every Breath you Take
4. Murder by Numers
5. Every Little Thing She (He) Does Is Magic
6. Walking in your Footsteps
7. King of Pain
8. When The World Is Running Down – Interlude
9. Synchronicity
10. Don’t Stand So Close To Me
11. De do do do, De da da da
12. I Burn for You