A companion album of sorts to 2019's
My Songs,
Duets collects 17 duets
Sting has recorded over the years. Some of these tracks appeared on soundtracks, some were included on albums by his duet partners, others -- including "September," a song recorded with
Zucchero that makes its debut here -- trickled out on compilations. Collectively, these duets showcase
Sting The Polymath, a cultured and worldly individual with an ability to synthesize his diverse interests into smooth, jazzy, mature pop. What's striking about the compilation is how a roster as diverse as
Eric Clapton,
Shaggy,
Mary J. Blige,
Annie Lennox,
Herbie Hancock,
Sam Moore, and
Julio Iglesias doesn't sound especially eclectic; when the common denominator is
Sting, all the guests adapt to his particular ways. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine