The duo of pop superstar Sting and reggae specialist Shaggy may have raised eyebrows in the music industry, but together they have a new album due to be released on April 20. Their unlikely collaboration has resulted in “44/876”, the title cleverly using the respective dialling codes of the United Kingdom and Jamaica.

This unusual music pairing came about by a strange coincidence: Shaggy’s producer, Martin Kierszenbaum, is also Sting’s manager. Martin was in possession of an unfinished song called “Don’t Make Me Wait”, and asked Sting if he would sing the chorus. Shaggy and Sting struck up an immediate friendship and finished not only the song but an entire record.

Sting says they are very pleased with the finished product: “Everyone who heard about it said, ‘Oh, what a surprise’ and actually, that’s the most important element of all music – surprise.”

Both musicians have had their share of fame, selling over 350 million records over the last 40 years, with multi-platinum albums and hit singles.

Their upbringing couldn’t have been more different, with Sting being the eldest of four children, growing up near Wallsend’s shipyards and becoming a teacher, while Shaggy is from Kingston, Jamaica and spent time in the United States Marine Corps.

Sting formed the Police in 1977, initially a punk-inspired band, but switching to a mix of reggae and pop, with five number one singles to their name. Shaggy’s musical career began in the 90’s with his first hit being a cover version of a ska song “Oh Carolina”.

Fans will get to hear the new songs when Sting and Shaggy start their tour next month, with both musicians being on stage together rather than playing separate sets.