Before he formed The Police in London in 1977, Stewart Copeland was the drummer in the English prog-rock band Curved Air. After The Police imploded in the mid-1980s, he composed music for film and TV, including Francis Ford Coppola's “Rumble Fish.” He also composed ““Holy Blood and Crescent Moon” for the Cleveland Opera and an extended work for the San Francisco Ballet
Copeland, 55, has also worked with artists as varied as Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, Primus, Joan Armatrading, Stanley Clarke and Oysterhead, the trio he co-leads with Primus bassist Les Claypool and ex-Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio.
It's no surprise, then, that Copeland's favorite albums include works by legends and by such obscure artists as Moondog and French singer Camille. “They each have a unique musical voice and are not homogenized,” he noted. “They are all very specific unto themselves.”
Here are three of Copeland's current favorites:
“Axis Bold as Love”
Artist: Jimi Hendrix Experience
The 411: Need you ask?
Copeland: “That album was the apotheosis of the electric guitar. Eddie Van Halen took it farther, in terms of speed, but Hendrix was like Mozart. 'Axis' is where everything the electric guitar can and should be came together with everything rock 'n' roll drumming should be, with Mitch Mitchell.”
“Ethiopiques (1969-1974)”
Artist: Various Ethiopian musicians
The 411: Performers include percussionist Mulatu Astatke, a former collaborator of American jazz giant Duke Ellington.
Copeland: “Ellington's picture is on the cover. The album features African musicians experimenting with American rhythms and jazz chords, and the combination is really exotic and powerful. Damn! I just realized I only have 'Volume 4.' I'll have to get some more.”
“Welcome to Jamrock”
Artist: Damien Marley
The 411: Bob Marley's youngest son most recently performed here as the opening act for Van Halen. He mixes reggae, hip-hop, rock and other styles.
Copeland: “I just found out about him recently. He has a very interesting rhythmic sense and is a really creative and charismatic artist.”
– GEORGE VARGA
