UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP Reggatta de Blanc Vinyl Album by The Police

Put on Reggatta de Blanc for a listening session centred on The Police’s second studio album, rather than a collection built around individual singles. Its reggae influence and Sting’s Caribbean vocal inflections give the record a distinctive musical identity.

Released in 1979, the album was the band’s first to top the UK Albums Chart. It also features their first two UK number-one singles, “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon”.

This vinyl edition is listed as an import, with a publication date of 8 July 2019. It brings together an important part of The Police’s recorded catalogue in album format.

What you’ll notice day to day

The appeal here is the contrast between The Police’s rock identity and the reggae influence running through the music. Sting’s Caribbean vocal inflections add another recognisable element, making this a good choice for listeners who enjoy hearing a band develop a distinctive sound rather than relying on a single musical style.

The album is also a natural pick when you want to listen beyond the two hit singles. “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” are part of the record, while the album as a whole offers a way to spend time with the band’s second studio release. Buyers also speak positively about the album’s sound and the band’s performance, and some connect the music with memories of earlier listening.

Key points

Reggatta de Blanc is The Police’s second studio album, originally released on 2 October 1979. It marked the band’s first UK Albums Chart number one and includes their first two UK number-one singles. Those milestones make it especially relevant to listeners exploring the group’s classic releases, as well as to fans looking to add this particular album to a vinyl collection.

The title loosely translates from French as “White Reggae”, reflecting the record’s distinctive appropriation of reggae. If you’re choosing between an album and a singles-focused release, this is the album-led option: it brings the two named hits together within the band’s broader studio work. The product is presented in vinyl format and listed as an import.

Everyday use

Set aside time to listen to the album as a complete release, or return to it when you want to hear “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” in the context of the record they came from. Its mix of rock and reggae influences also makes it a fitting addition to a collection focused on British rock from the late 1970s.

For listeners choosing a physical format, this edition offers the album on vinyl rather than as a digital-only release. The published edition date is 8 July 2019, while the album itself first appeared in 1979. Keeping those dates distinct helps when selecting a version for a collection: the music belongs to the original album era, and this listing identifies a later vinyl edition.

Should you buy it?

A solid pick if you’re building a Police collection, revisiting the band’s best-known early work or looking for an album that combines rock with clear reggae influence. The two landmark singles give it familiar entry points, while its place as the band’s second studio album makes it a meaningful choice for listening through their catalogue in album form.