Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Courtney Pine: Devotion

357

Courtney Pine: Devotion

By

Sign in to view read count
Courtney Pine: Devotion


The management typically frowns on an initial discourse regarding the issuing record label when writing a review, but in the case of Courtney Pine's debut on Telarc Jazz, I feel it is warranted.  Compared with the majority of Telarc's releases (dead middle mainstream) Mr. Pine's new release can only be approached by those of Monty Alexander's with respect to pushing the genre envelope, and honestly, Mr. Alexander has nothing on Courtney Pine.



Born March 18, 1964 in London, England, Courtney Pine was to emerge in the mid-1980s as the next John Coltrane at the same time Wynton Marsalis sounded like the heir to Miles Davis.  He grew up playing funk and reggae before migrating to the edge of jazz standards.  He is a master of several instruments, including the soprano and tenor saxophones and that most difficult mistress, the bass clarinet.  He released several fine recordings on Antilles/Island ( Journey to the Urge Within ) but lost direction in the mid-1990s.



Devotion is Courtney Pine's first release since 1998's Another Story.  It is a loud, jazzy, funky, reggae, rocking affair bursting at the seams with cross influences and counter rhythms.  The recording is as highly produced as most contemporary and smooth jazz offerings...but contemporary or smooth jazz this is not.  In fact, if I were to have to describe this disc with one line it would be—"Devotion is the reincarnation of Julian and Nate Adderley's Band in the 22nd Century."  After an electric introduction the disc blasts off with Pine's "Soul Sister," a transmogrified "Work Song" as a Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" taken to infinity.  The title cut has a reggae vibe with Pine weaving in and out like the ghost of Eddie Harris calling out the name of Les McCann.



Pine extends his jazz-funk jones into his compositions "Osibisa," a big band Latin groove, and "Translusance," which contains some nifty off-beat drumming, a killer hook and a sitar (I hear early Rolling Stones and late Beatles here).  "UK" might be the best piece on the record, a cross between the Stax House and 1980s Saturday Night Live Bands.  The instrumental pieces are better than the vocal pieces and there is plenty of Pine for everyone.  Had Mr. Pine been wandering in the desert before, he has emerged into the oasis of his own making.



Visit Courtney Pine and Telarc Jazz on the web.

Track Listing

Introduction--Release; Sister Soul; Devotion; Bless The Weather; Interlude--The Saxophone Song; Osibisa; Translusance; UK; Interlude--Karma; When The World Turns Blue; Everyday Is Everyday; Outro--With All Of My Love.

Personnel

Courtney Pine
saxophone

Courtney Pine--Soprano, Tenor Saxophones, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, Pro Tools; Cameron Pierre--Guitars; Chris Jerome--Keyboards; Robert Fordjour--Drums; Thomas Dyani--Percussion; David Mcalmont, Carleen Anderson--Vocals; Robert Mitchell--Piano; Dennis Rollins--Trombone; Byron Wallin--Trumpet; Yousuf Ali Khan--Tabla; Sheema Mukherjee--Sitar.

Album information

Title: Devotion | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Telarc Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

May 26 Sun

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.