Courtney Pine | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Courtney Pine is perhaps the most enigmatic of late 20th century British jazzmen; he has consistently fascinated and frustrated critics with a restless and adventurous musical vision that has brought world music, pop, reggae, electronica, funk, and soul to sit in with the jazz tradition on his recordings. Born in March 1964, Pine spent his youth in London, learning to play multiple instruments, including saxophone (he is proficient on tenor, soprano, and baritone), clarinet, flute, and a host of keyboard instruments. He cut his jazz teeth with the hard-bopping Dwarf Steps, before leaving to tour and record with reggae stars General Saint and Clint Eastwood. Pine went back to the jazz root, studying Sonny Rollins and John Coltranes improvising styles while participating in drummer John Stevens jazz workshops before he became a part-time member of the Charlie Watts Orchestra. Pine left to tour with both George Russell and Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers before recording his debut album, Journey to the Urge Within, for Antilles. That disc propelled Pine into the public consciousness with its U.K. Top Ten smash "Children of the Ghetto," while the album won a Silver Disc award. It was also reviewed favorably in the U.S., played on jazz and adult Quiet Storm radio, and sold quite respectably. Pine remained with Antilles through 1992, issuing four more albums with the label, 1987s Destinys Song + the Image of Pursuance, 1989s The Visions Tale, Within the Realms of Our Dreams in 1990, and his first reggae outing, Closer to Home, in 1992. Throughout the early 90s Pine also guested with U.K. soul chanteuse Mica Paris. Also during 1992, Pine signed with the 4th & Broadway label and issued the revolutionary To the Eyes of Creation, which fully engaged his myriad interests in African and East and West Indian musics and melded them with jazz improvisation. Eyes of Creation, Pines live album, was released by Island in 1995, just prior to his signing with Verve. While with Verve, Pine issued his first complete jazz outing in Modern Day Jazz Stories, recorded with an American band that included Geri Allen, Mark Whitfield, Eddie Henderson, and Charnett Moffett, and featured vocals by Cassandra Wilson and the Angelic Voices of Faith. Jazz purists were almost delighted, and hoped Pine would now stay put in the bosom of tradition so they could laud him as the new Coltrane. Pine frustrated them by employing hip-hop turntablism on 1997s Underground, which included drum and soundscape programming alongside DJs and a band that included Jeff Watts, Whitfield, Reggie Veal, Nicholas Payton, and Cyrus Chestnut. Pine pulled another rabbit out of the hat for 1998s Another Story, issued by Talkin Loud, wherein he invited a host of electronicas finest DJs -- Roni Size and Attica Blues among them -- to remix tracks from Modern Day Jazz Stories and Underground as drumnbass crossovers. It was his last record of the 20th century. Pine was appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000, and released another award-winner with Back in the Day that year. The album was a tribute to the funky soul-jazz and Afro-funk sounds of Gary Bartz, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango, Eddie Harris, Idris Muhammad, and Bernard Purdie, all of whom were parts of his musical development in the 70s. His all-British band was augmented by guests and DJ Pogo. It was his first recording not to be simultaneously released in the United States. Pine scored the two-part BBC documentary Nelson Mandela: The Living Legend, which aired in 2003, and released Devotion at the end of the year in Great Britain and in July 2004 on the Telarc label in the U.S. Once more Pine nailed together disparate harmonic, rhythmic, and dynamic elements from Africa, the Caribbean, jazz, soul, and Indian musics, taking his adventurous discourse into new and previously uncharted territory. Later that year, he followed up with the sublime large-ensemble jazz-funk set Resistance: The Awakening Process on Destin-E and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Westminster. He also hosted the a long-running radio program for BBC Radio 2 called Jazz Crusade. He dedicated himself to public education in music, teaching and organizing workshops all over the U.K. In 2009, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and received the prestigious New Year Honours for services to jazz music that same year. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Southampton, and released Transition in Tradition (En Homage a Sidney Bechet), which showcased his talents on the bass clarinet, playing not only reinventions of classic New Orleans music, but also paying tribute to the jazz tradition of Great Britain by way of the Caribbean diaspora with the tracks "The Tale of Joe Harriott" and "Toussaint lOverture." Pine shored up his commitment to bass clarinet on 2011s forward-looking Europa. His band for the date included pianist Zoe Rahman, bassist Alec Dankworth, and drummers Mark Mondesir and Robert Fordjour. The following year, Pine used his soprano exclusively on House of Legends, an album of merengue, ska, mento, and calypso for which picked a band steeped in Afro-Caribbean music: French/Martinique pianist Mario Canonge, Trinidadian steel-pan player Annise Hadeed, trumpeter Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton, and Jazz Jamaica drummer Rod Youngs. Pine toured and continued teaching and mentoring. He surfaced on record again in 2015 with Song (The Ballad Book) a duo album of his bass clarinet paired with Rahmans piano in a program steeped in classic set pieces such as "Amazing Grace" and "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," with contemporary soul tunes such as Chaka Khans "Through the Fire" and Donny Hathaways "Someday We’ll All Be Free," as well as modernist jazz classics such as Sam Rivers "Beatrice." Pine left Destine-E for the Freestyle Records label and 2017s Black Notes from the Deep, which featured another British music icon of equal repute, Omar Lye-Fook M.B.E., on four cuts, including the sets first single, a cover of Herbie Hancocks "Butterfly." Dankworth returned on bass with Youngs on drums along with new pianist Robert Mitchell. Veteran organist Ed Bentley guested on "In Another Time," while guitarist Chris Cobbson added his playing to "The Morning After the Night Before." After "Butterfly" ran up the British jazz charts in August and September, the album was released in late October. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 15 Title: Song (The Ballad Book) Released: Tracks: 10 Duration: 52:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Beatrice (06:28) 2 A Child Is Born (03:56) 3 Amazing Grace (04:14) 4 Come Sunday (06:11) 5 One Last Cry (04:09) 6 B Into (00:39) 7 A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (09:20) 8 Through the Fire (05:36) 9 Song (06:36) 10 Someday Well All Be Free (04:54) |
 | Album: 2 of 15 Title: Journey to the Urge Within Released: 1986 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Miss-Interpret (04:16) 2 I Believe (04:37) 3 Peace (05:20) 4 Dolores (03:29) 5 As We Would Say (03:19) 6 Children of the Ghetto (07:02) 7 When, Where, How and Why (05:20) 8 C.G.C. (03:26) 9 Seen (04:28) 10 Sunday Song (01:26) |
| Journey to the Urge Within : Allmusic album Review : This early Courtney Pine recording (the tenor saxophonist was 22 at the time) features some of the most promising black English jazz musicians of the time, including Pine (who also plays some bass clarinet and soprano), singer Cleveland Watkiss (who often is reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin), vibraphonist Orphy Robinson, and pianist Julian Joseph. While most of these players have not yet lived up to their potential (Pine remains an expert Coltrane imitator), this disc has its share of strong music. The emphasis is on Courtney Pines originals which cover a wide span of emotions and grooves. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 15 Title: Angel Heart Released: 1987 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Harry Angel (07:56) 2 Honeyman Blues (01:18) 3 Nightmare (02:12) 4 Girl of My Dreams (Saxophone version) (00:49) 5 I Got This Thing About Chickens (03:43) 6 The Right Key, but the Wrong Keyhole (03:24) 7 Rainy Rainy Day (02:58) 8 Looking for Johnny (07:29) 9 Bloodmare (03:09) 10 Johnny Favorite (04:34) |
 | Album: 4 of 15 Title: Destinys Song & The Image of Pursuance Released: 1988 Tracks: 10 Duration: 53:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Beyond the Thought of My Last Reckoning (07:44) 2 In Pursuance (06:48) 3 The Vision (03:51) 4 Guardian of the Flame (02:30) 5 Round Midnight (03:22) 6 Sacrifice (05:52) 7 Prismic Omnipotence (06:16) 8 Alone (05:30) 9 A Raggamuffins Tale (07:45) 10 Mark of Time (04:02) |
 | Album: 5 of 15 Title: The Visions Tale Released: 1989 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:09:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Introduction (00:52) 2 In a Mellow Tone (07:48) 3 Just You, Just Me (06:01) 4 A Ragamuffins Stance (05:08) 5 No Greater Love (04:55) 6 Skylark (03:38) 7 Im an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande) (05:35) 8 God Bless the Child (07:01) 9 And Then (A Warriors Tale) (07:38) 10 Our Descendants Descendants (05:10) 11 CPs Theme (00:46) 12 C Jam Blues (06:16) 13 Giant Steps (08:10) |
| The Vision's Tale : Allmusic album Review : At 26, Courtney Pine in 1989 seemed to be on his way to being one of the top tenors in jazz although at that point he was still heavily influenced by John Coltrane. This set was a bit of a departure for Pine, who often displays a wild extroverted style, was (if anything) overly respectful to the standards that he interprets. Perhaps this was due to the presence of pianist Ellis Marsalis who leads a trio consisting of bassist Delbert Felix and drummer Jeff Watts. Pine sounds restricted to the melody with only slight variations on some of the numbers including "In a Mellow Tone," "Skylark" and "God Bless the Child." He does cut loose a bit on a few of the other pieces but his solos in general are much briefer than usual. The best moments are Pines outings on both tenor and soprano on "A Raggamuffins Stance," "Im an Old Cowhand" and a stormy Coltrane-ish "Giant Steps." It is a pity that the rest of the album is not of that same intensity. In addition, Delfeayo Marsalis self-righteous and pompous liner notes are a definite minus. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 15 Title: Closer to Home Released: 1990 Tracks: 18 Duration: 51:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Opus 1 (intro) (00:55) 2 Get Busy (04:11) 3 Blue Tide (04:03) 4 I Dont Care (03:28) 5 Dancehall (interlude) (00:24) 6 Kingston (03:52) 7 Marcus (interlude) (00:32) 8 Be Mine Tonight (04:30) 9 Im Still Waiting (05:09) 10 Closer (interlude) (01:06) 11 Closer to Home (03:53) 12 Never Be Lonely (04:32) 13 Garvey (interlude) (01:10) 14 In Time (All Will Know) (03:50) 15 Dancehall 2 (interlude) (00:35) 16 Home Song (02:41) 17 Opus 1 (outro) (00:53) 18 Courtney Blows (live) (05:49) |
| Closer to Home : Allmusic album Review : A 92 release by British saxophonist Courtney Pine, who with each album moves more toward the musical center. Hes working with pop, rock, and reggae compositions and musicians, but at the same time still playing forceful, frequently dynamic tenor and soprano solos. Its not really fusion, nor is it the kind of uncompromising jazz that he once championed. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 15 Title: To the Eyes of Creation Released: 1992 Tracks: 13 Duration: 56:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Healing Song (04:57) 2 Zaire (00:43) 3 Country Dance (08:06) 4 Psalm (04:08) 5 Eastern Standard Time (04:44) 6 X-Caliber (01:45) 7 The Meditation of Contemplation (03:48) 8 Life Goes Around (04:17) 9 The Ark of Mark (01:34) 10 Children Hold On (04:26) 11 Cleopatras Needle (06:59) 12 Redemption Song (03:44) 13 The Holy Grail (07:28) |
| To the Eyes of Creation : Allmusic album Review : It certainly seems as if all of Courtney Pines previous albums were leading up to this one, (check out his liner note, which leaves no doubt). Here, he comes up with a grandly eclectic excursion into just about everything that has interested him in the past. Sometimes the metamorphoses take place within an individual track; for example, there is a "Country Dance" that sails forth in a folk-like manner until pianist Julian Joseph sends it into straight-ahead post-bop and Pine (on tenor sax) whizzes it like a madman onto Coltranes turf. There are whiffs of Latinized jazz, jazz-lite to a rock rhythm, an African vocal interlude, pure Jamaican ska grooving on "Eastern Standard Time," a venture into India ("The Meditation of Contemplation" -- ooh, what a giveaway title), conventional R&B; balladeering by singers Juliet Roberts and Linda Muriel, a drum solo piece for Mark Mondesir, more Coltrane tributes, even a respectful, straightforward rendition of Bob Marleys "Redemption Song." The changes of pace, sound and style are dizzying, and they dont come together as a whole; the disc sounds more like an anthology than a single project. Pine displays a lot of talent and a lot of curiosity but not a whole lot of organizing sense or memorable insight here. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 15 Title: Modern Day Jazz Stories Released: 1995 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:08:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Prelude - The Water Of Life (01:26) 2 The 37th Chamber (04:20) 3 Dont Xplain (04:57) 4 Dah Blessing (08:50) 5 In The Garden Of Eden (Thinking Inside Of You) (05:59) 6 Creation Stepper (10:42) 7 After the Damaja (01:12) 8 Absolution (07:34) 9 Each One (Must) Teach One (03:51) 10 The Unknown Warrior (Song For My Forefathers) (06:38) 11 Ive Known Rivers (03:40) 12 Outro - Guiding Light (01:11) 13 Prince of Peace (08:25) |
 | Album: 9 of 15 Title: Underground Released: 1997-09-16 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:06:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro - Inhale (01:10) 2 Modern Day Jazz (06:58) 3 Tryin Times (06:15) 4 Oneness of Mind (05:55) 5 Invisible (Higher Vibe) (05:37) 6 The Book Of ... (The Dead) (09:50) 7 Children of the Sun (05:55) 8 The In-sense Song (04:53) 9 Silver Surfer (07:50) 10 Underground (06:57) 11 Outro - Xhale (00:56) 12 Save the Children (03:45) |
| Underground : Allmusic album Review : The first thing that becomes clear on Courtney Pines Underground is that the hip-hop-jazz hybrids of the 1990s (such as Digable Planets, A Tribe Called Quest, US3, or even the Dream Warriors) missed their target; the combination is much stronger when its jazz-hip-hop, and the latter becomes a textural element. Pine sticks to his guns-frenetic melodies, engaging song structures, and a keen ability to keep his jazz cool and never lite. Those talents shine further when given the icing of exquisite samples, particularly when the rapid-fire cuts and sharp sense of humor show a respect for turntablism. And lest Pines jazz fans be dismayed, tracks like "Invisible" seamlessly slip back into Pines masterful (more traditional) jazz persona. Of particular note is "Tryin Times," one of the few tracks with vocals, which acts as both a lounge singer vehicle as well as venue for Pines dizzying saxophone acrobatics. Underground is a great introduction to Pines work, and if theres any justice, will someday be recognized as a benchmark jazz-hip-hop hybrid experiment. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 15 Title: Another Story Released: 1998 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:18:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ive Known Rivers (4 Hero Remix Vol 1) (08:01) 2 Dont Xplain (Flytronix mix) (08:13) 3 Tryin Times (Peshay remix) (05:36) 4 The 37th Chamber (Flytronix mix) (09:08) 5 The In-Sense Song (Raw Deal mix) (05:59) 6 Tryin Times (Attica Blues remix) (06:36) 7 Ive Known Rivers (Pressure Drop Rivers Run Deeper mix) (06:58) 8 Tryin Times (Headstrong vocal mix) (06:24) 9 Dont Xplain (Attica Blues Head Knod) (06:47) 10 Dont Xplain (Roni Size remix) (05:25) 11 The In-sense Song (The Mighty Strinths remix) (05:51) 12 Ive Known Rivers (4 Hero Bossa) (03:28) |
| Another Story : Allmusic album Review : Another Story offers another perspective on Courtney Pines work, namely that of a remixer. Pine has aessembled a number of producers, including such names as Roni Size and Attica Blues, giving them the go-ahead to rework selected moments from Modern Day Jazz Stories and Underground. All of the selections have now been recast as drumnbass crossover tracks, and they work surprisingly well, showcasing the freshness of Pines playing while revealing that there is true improvisation and jazz within the busy jungle grooves. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 15 Title: Back in the Day Released: 2000 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:11:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro - Search (01:25) 2 The Jazzstep (04:23) 3 Hardtimes (04:26) 4 Brotherman (04:05) 5 Keep It Real (03:59) 6 Interlude - Straight Ahead Hip Hop (01:05) 7 Lady Day and John Coltrane (04:53) 8 My Fathers Place (05:03) 9 Yeah! Yeah! (03:52) 10 Interlude - Quartet No. 1 (01:10) 11 Inner State (Of Mind) (04:42) 12 Power to the People (05:34) 13 Love and Affection (04:50) 14 Third Man (04:59) 15 Meditate - (Outro) (17:12) |
 | Album: 12 of 15 Title: Resistance Released: 2005-10-31 Tracks: 13 Duration: 59:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Good Morning (Magundung Umaga) (06:44) 2 Right On! (04:00) 3 Southern Skandinavian Blues (06:40) 4 Soul Power U! (03:48) 5 Rising Sun (05:10) 6 Sunchilde (04:57) 7 Joan of Arc (02:00) 8 And Then the World Stood Still and Prayed (02:52) 9 Resistance (05:46) 10 On the Down Low (04:22) 11 Outro - Vibranium (02:06) 12 [silence] (00:10) 13 Cant Say Goodbye (feat. Juliet Kelly) (11:06) |
 | Album: 13 of 15 Title: Europa Released: 2011-03-07 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:12:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Il Favola di Romulus e Remus (03:28) 2 Europa (07:07) 3 Deuteronomy (08:23) 4 La Reserche du Sangreal (05:07) 5 Druids Lyre (05:38) 6 De Kom Fra Nord (Sang for the Grimaldi Man) (07:13) 7 Greek Fire (06:21) 8 Cancion Traditional Numero Siete (El Cienca de la Moors) (04:34) 9 The First Flower of Spring (February 1856) For Mary Seacole (09:47) 10 Darwins Dream Deferred (04:00) 11 The Colchians Interlude (01:02) 12 Red Square - Gagarinesk (07:03) 13 Amen All Men Amen (03:12) |
 | Album: 14 of 15 Title: House of Legends Released: 2012-10-15 Tracks: 11 Duration: 55:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 The Tale of Stephen Lawrence (02:22) 2 Kingstonian Swing (04:48) 3 Liamuiga (Cook Up) (05:07) 4 Samuel Sharpe (06:23) 5 Ça cest bon ça (05:15) 6 Claudia Jones (04:34) 7 Song of the Maroons (05:49) 8 House of Hutch (06:46) 9 From the Father to the Son (05:30) 10 Ma-Di-Ba (04:52) 11 Tico Tico (04:13) |
 | Album: 15 of 15 Title: Black Notes From the Deep Released: 2016 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rules (03:14) 2 You Know Who You Are (04:54) 3 Darker Than the Blue (03:22) 4 Rivers of Blood (05:38) 5 In Another Time (03:18) 6 The Morning After the Night Before (04:55) 7 A Change Is Sure to Come (04:28) 8 How Many More (06:29) 9 Butterfly (03:59) 10 A Word to the Wise (01:15) |
| Black Notes From the Deep : Allmusic album Review : The last time Courtney Pine played tenor saxophone in the studio was on 2005s Resistance. Since then, weve heard him use his soprano horn, bass clarinet, flutes, and more in programs as diverse as 2009s Tradition in Transition -- an homage to Sidney Bechet that re-opened NOLA jazzs embrace of Afro-Cuban and Caribbean sounds -- to 2015s Song (The Ballad Book), a bass clarinet duo offering with pianist Zoe Rahman. Black Notes from the Deep places Pine in mostly quartet settings, backed by his working band with pianist Robert Mitchell, bassist Alec Dankworth, and drummer Rod Youngs. In addition, nearly half this set features the vocals of old friend and labelmate Omar Lye-Fook MBE in a series of tracks that refract modern jazz through the lens of 21st century soul. The sets first single is a gorgeous, break-laden reading of Herbie Hancocks "Butterfly" with Omars slightly reedy baritone up front and Charleen Hamilton on backing vocals. The tunes initial bars suggest Freddie Hubbards "Red Clay" before being transformed into an elegant, popping, jazz-funk groover. Pines horn fills add weight to Omars singing, but the saxophonist also employs an EWI and synth solo for textural contrast. Its a radio and streaming hit and deserves to be. Another Omar highlight is "Darker Than Blue," introduced by Dankworths bass and Pines horn and bass flute. Mitchells addition of an organ to his piano adds a sultry element to Omars bluesy soul. "Rivers of Blood"s title directly references Tory MP Enoch Powells infamous 1968 racist speech at Birminghams Conservative Political Centre and is particularly poignant given the rise of Donald Trump and Theresa May. Its a classic Pine modal meditation, built up from shimmering minor piano chords while the tenor slowly and passionately moans. The funky Latin soul breaks on "Rules" (that touch on drumnbass rhythms) find Omar at his most celebratory; its a gorgeous example of jazz crossover. "In Another Time" is another Latin groover with organist Ed Bentley guesting to complement Omars uplifting exhortation for listeners to embrace gratitude. Its followed by "The Morning After the Night Before," a striking ballad with electric guitarist Chris Cobbson (doing his best Jim Hall) sitting in for Mitchell. Pines fills and soloing sound more than a little like Ben Webster in his phrasing. "A Change Is Sure to Come" is the only place here where Pine leaves the tenor on its stand in favor of swirling, multi-tracked alto and bass flutes as Mitchell uses the pianos middle register to explore alternate harmonic dimensions, while the rhythm section swings behind him. Black Notes from the Deep is a jazz album deeply engaged with classy, 21st century soul, yet it refuses skittering, schizophrenic jumping around. Instead it flows seamlessly; its smartly, even ingeniously arranged and expertly played and produced. In its sheer quality, it underscores Pines continuing role as the true boss of British jazz. | ||