Rock Masters: The Police

The opportunity to see Sting in the ‘70s, fronting the band that brought him to prominence, is the main attraction in this no-frills Dolby Digital stereo concert DVD. At this point (it was February, 1979; the Police had released just one album), the onetime Gordon Sumner was 27 and something of a working class ruffian, a far cry from the deep-thinking, rainforest-saving, refined world musician he would later become. But he was already an outstanding singer and bass player, accompanied by a superb drummer (Stewart Copeland), a tasteful, atmospheric guitarist (Andy Summers), and the band had a handful of smart, catchy tunes. Those songs--“Can't Stand Losing You,” “Message in a Bottle” and, of course, “Roxanne”--are all featured here in this Hatfield, England performance that captures the band's irresistible blend of pop, punk and reggae. You can see where the Police were headed, with albums like Synchronicity still to come, but they were pretty cool from the jump. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)