Strontium 90: Police Academy

Untitled

Strontium 90: Police Academy is the only album by Strontium 90, released by Mike Howlett in 1997. This album consists of live tracks recorded at Gong's reunion concert in Paris on 28 May 1977, five studio tracks recorded in London just before the concert, and Sting's solo demo of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic".

The back cover of the album falsely claims that these recordings "resulted in the birth of The Police." In fact, The Police had been active for months (with original guitarist Henry Padovani) before any of the recordings were made, save the "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" demo (which none of the Police aside from Sting had any involvement with). However, it was at these recording sessions where Sting and Copeland were first introduced to guitarist Andy Summers, who later replaced Padovani as the Police's guitarist, thus cementing the group's classic lineup.

The Police would later re-record "Visions of the Night" and use parts of "3 O'Clock Shit" in two of their later compositions, "Be My Girl" and "O My God".

Track listing

All songs written by Mike Howlett, except where noted.

1. "Visions of the Night" (Sting)
2. "New World Blues"
3. "3 O'Clock Shit" [incorrectly listed as "3 O'Clock Shot (live)"] (Sting)
4. "Lady of Delight"
5. "Electron Romance"
6. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" (Demo) (Sting)
7. "Towers Tumbled"
8. "Electron Romance" (Live)
9. "Lady of Delight" (Live)

The Japanese release (TOCP-50242) and the 2011 reissue contain two extra tracks:

10. "New World Blues" (Live)
11. "Towers Tumbled" (Live)

Personnel

• Mike Howlett – lead bass, lead vocals (tracks 7–11), backing vocals (tracks 2 and 4)
• Sting – bass, lead vocals (tracks 1–6 and 8), backing vocals, acoustic guitar (track 6), African drum (track 6)
• Andy Summers – electric guitars
• Stewart Copeland – drums, miscellaneous percussion