Courtney Pine — Black Notes From The Deep (Oct. 27, 2017) |
Courtney Pine — Black Notes From The Deep (Oct. 27, 2017) ••›♣ Pine left Destine~E for the Freestyle Records label and 2017’s 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 set’s first single, a cover of Herbie Hancock’s “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. ~ Thom Jurek
Born: 18 Mar 1964
Location: London, England
Genre: Jazz, R&B
Styles: Post~Bop, Contemporary Jazz, Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary Jazz Vocals, Continental Jazz, Modern Jazz, Vocal Jazz
Album release: October 27, 2017
Record Label: Freestyle / Kudos Records
Duration:
Tracks:
01 Rules (feat. Omar) 3:12
02 You Know Who You Are 4:51
03 Darker Than the Blue (feat. Omar) 3:19
04 Rivers of Blood 5:36
05 In Another Time (feat. Omar) 3:15
06 The Morning After the Night Before 4:52
07 A Change Is Sure to Come 4:26
08 How Many More 6:27
09 Butterfly (feat. Omar) 3:56
10 A Word to the Wise 1:14
© 2017 Kudos Records
℗ 2017 Freestyle Records
Credits:
Ξ→ Alfred Bailey Photography
Ξ→ Ed Bentley Electric Organ, Soloist
Ξ→ Greg Boraman A&R
Ξ→ Chris Cobbson Guitar (Electric)
Ξ→ Alec Dankworth Double Bass
Ξ→ Charleen Hamilton Vocals
Ξ→ Herbie Hancock Composer
Ξ→ Jaffa Artwork
Ξ→ Bennie Maupin Composer
Ξ→ Robert Mitchell Electric Organ, Piano, Piano (Electric)
Ξ→ Omar Arranger, Composer, Engineer, Feat., Vocal Producer, Vocals, Voices
Ξ→ Claudio Passavanti Mastering
Ξ→ Courtney Pine Arranger, Composer, Electric Organ, Engineer, Flute (Alto), Flute (Bass), Mixing, Pro~Tools, Producer, Sax (Tenor), Synthesizer, Tambourine, Wind Instruments
Ξ→ Scratch Professer Engineer
Ξ→ Rod Youngs Drums, Timpani
Description:
Ξ→ No musician embodies more the dramatic transformation in the British jazz scene over the past thirty years than Courtney Pine. His debut album, Journey To The Urge Within in 1987, was the first serious jazz album ever to make the British Top 40, notching up sales to qualify for a silver disc.
Ξ→ Aside from being the preeminent figure in the resurgence of British jazz, Courtney became a renowned presenter and broadcaster, best known for his long running radio show for BBC Radio 2, ‘Jazz Crusade’. He was also awarded an O.B.E in the 2000 New Year’s Honours, and was also made a C.B.E in 2009 for services to Music.
Ξ→ As an artist always looking to work outside of, and across established musical genres, it is easier to list the musicians and artists he hasn’t worked with, and styles he hasn’t fused with jazz, but now in 2017 Courtney releases a brand new album — the nineteenth of his career, one of his most varied and eclectic to date, ranging as it does from funk tinged foot tappers, to beautiful and tender ballads.
Ξ→ Black Notes From The Deep includes four tracks featuring another British music icon of equal repute, Courtneys’ Freestyle Records label mate and an artist also honoured for his own creative endeavours; Omar Lyefook M.B.E. This is a musical pairing so wonderful it is hard to believe it didn’t happen years ago, but the end results speak for themselves.
Ξ→ For this brand new album, Courtney assembled a line up of like minded instrumentalists, perfectly suited to his fresh and unique approach . With this absolutely rock solid group behind him, including Alec Dankworth on bass duties, the enviably talented Robert Mitchell on piano, with Rod Youngs providing his masterful drumming, this is a dream ticket line up to back Courtney. There is a welcome appearance by veteran jazz organist Ed Bently on In Another Time, and the gifted guitarist Chris Cobbson adds some beautiful textures on the The Morning After The Night Before.
Ξ→ The highlights within this album are many — but the exciting and fresh interpretation of Herbie Hancocks’ Butterfly seems destined to be one of the most remarkable, featuring as it does Omars’ fantastic vocal performance which rides sweetly on top of the dreamy backing vocals of Charleen Hamilton — and of course Courtneys’ flowing, imaginative and creative solo perfects this modern version of a much loved classic.
Ξ→ Courtney has been lauded as the most original, ceaselessly creative and inventive British jazz musician since the start of his career over 30 years ago — and Black Notes From The Deep proves that he still is.
Review
Courtney Pine: Black Notes from the Deep review — still top dog.
Neil Spencer, Sunday 22 October 2017 08.00 BST / Score: ****
••›♣ Ever one to mix things up, Britain’s most celebrated jazzer follows a low~key ballads album with a collection centred on funk~oriented duets with vocalist Omar, though Courtney Pine — back on tenor sax for the first time in years — conjures assorted moods. Rivers of Blood is a brooding meditation taking its title from Enoch Powell’s 1968 racist speech, while A Change Is Sure to Come is a wistful, flute~driven piece. Omar brings an elegant touch to Herbie Hancock’s Butterfly, and snappy vitality to opener Rules. Robert Mitchell’s piano shines among a supporting trio, and Pine, whether in contemplation or post~bop flurry, shows why he’s still top dog.
••›♣ https://www.theguardian.com/
By Simon Redley, Score: 5/5
••›♣ http://www.musicrepublicmagazine.com/2017/09/courtney-pine-black-notes-deep-freestyle-records-27th-october-2017/
Label: https://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/
PRESS:
♣¤★ “Two genuine pioneers on this sterling album, a match made in heaven~ a solid, classy, sparkling and innovative offering from a true innovator” — Music Republic
♣¤★ “Pierced through with soul & sharp intelligence ~ the jazz warrior has stiffened his tenor sinews and summoned the blood” — Jazzwise
♣¤★ “shows why he’s still top dog” — The Observer
♣¤★ “Pine hits peak after peak” — The Arts Desk
♣¤★ “classy, sparkling and innovative — 5/5” — Music Republic
♣¤★ “Pine shows off his impeccable jazz credentials — 4 stars” — Mojo Magazine
♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣
Courtney Pine — Black Notes From The Deep (Oct. 27, 2017) |
Courtney Pine — Black Notes From The Deep (Oct. 27, 2017) ••›♣ Pine left Destine~E for the Freestyle Records label and 2017’s 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 set’s first single, a cover of Herbie Hancock’s “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. ~ Thom Jurek
Born: 18 Mar 1964
Location: London, England
Genre: Jazz, R&B
Styles: Post~Bop, Contemporary Jazz, Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary Jazz Vocals, Continental Jazz, Modern Jazz, Vocal Jazz
Album release: October 27, 2017
Record Label: Freestyle / Kudos Records
Duration:
Tracks:
01 Rules (feat. Omar) 3:12
02 You Know Who You Are 4:51
03 Darker Than the Blue (feat. Omar) 3:19
04 Rivers of Blood 5:36
05 In Another Time (feat. Omar) 3:15
06 The Morning After the Night Before 4:52
07 A Change Is Sure to Come 4:26
08 How Many More 6:27
09 Butterfly (feat. Omar) 3:56
10 A Word to the Wise 1:14
© 2017 Kudos Records
℗ 2017 Freestyle Records
Credits:
Ξ→ Alfred Bailey Photography
Ξ→ Ed Bentley Electric Organ, Soloist
Ξ→ Greg Boraman A&R
Ξ→ Chris Cobbson Guitar (Electric)
Ξ→ Alec Dankworth Double Bass
Ξ→ Charleen Hamilton Vocals
Ξ→ Herbie Hancock Composer
Ξ→ Jaffa Artwork
Ξ→ Bennie Maupin Composer
Ξ→ Robert Mitchell Electric Organ, Piano, Piano (Electric)
Ξ→ Omar Arranger, Composer, Engineer, Feat., Vocal Producer, Vocals, Voices
Ξ→ Claudio Passavanti Mastering
Ξ→ Courtney Pine Arranger, Composer, Electric Organ, Engineer, Flute (Alto), Flute (Bass), Mixing, Pro~Tools, Producer, Sax (Tenor), Synthesizer, Tambourine, Wind Instruments
Ξ→ Scratch Professer Engineer
Ξ→ Rod Youngs Drums, Timpani
Description:
Ξ→ No musician embodies more the dramatic transformation in the British jazz scene over the past thirty years than Courtney Pine. His debut album, Journey To The Urge Within in 1987, was the first serious jazz album ever to make the British Top 40, notching up sales to qualify for a silver disc.
Ξ→ Aside from being the preeminent figure in the resurgence of British jazz, Courtney became a renowned presenter and broadcaster, best known for his long running radio show for BBC Radio 2, ‘Jazz Crusade’. He was also awarded an O.B.E in the 2000 New Year’s Honours, and was also made a C.B.E in 2009 for services to Music.
Ξ→ As an artist always looking to work outside of, and across established musical genres, it is easier to list the musicians and artists he hasn’t worked with, and styles he hasn’t fused with jazz, but now in 2017 Courtney releases a brand new album — the nineteenth of his career, one of his most varied and eclectic to date, ranging as it does from funk tinged foot tappers, to beautiful and tender ballads.
Ξ→ Black Notes From The Deep includes four tracks featuring another British music icon of equal repute, Courtneys’ Freestyle Records label mate and an artist also honoured for his own creative endeavours; Omar Lyefook M.B.E. This is a musical pairing so wonderful it is hard to believe it didn’t happen years ago, but the end results speak for themselves.
Ξ→ For this brand new album, Courtney assembled a line up of like minded instrumentalists, perfectly suited to his fresh and unique approach . With this absolutely rock solid group behind him, including Alec Dankworth on bass duties, the enviably talented Robert Mitchell on piano, with Rod Youngs providing his masterful drumming, this is a dream ticket line up to back Courtney. There is a welcome appearance by veteran jazz organist Ed Bently on In Another Time, and the gifted guitarist Chris Cobbson adds some beautiful textures on the The Morning After The Night Before.
Ξ→ The highlights within this album are many — but the exciting and fresh interpretation of Herbie Hancocks’ Butterfly seems destined to be one of the most remarkable, featuring as it does Omars’ fantastic vocal performance which rides sweetly on top of the dreamy backing vocals of Charleen Hamilton — and of course Courtneys’ flowing, imaginative and creative solo perfects this modern version of a much loved classic.
Ξ→ Courtney has been lauded as the most original, ceaselessly creative and inventive British jazz musician since the start of his career over 30 years ago — and Black Notes From The Deep proves that he still is.
Review
Courtney Pine: Black Notes from the Deep review — still top dog.
Neil Spencer, Sunday 22 October 2017 08.00 BST / Score: ****
••›♣ Ever one to mix things up, Britain’s most celebrated jazzer follows a low~key ballads album with a collection centred on funk~oriented duets with vocalist Omar, though Courtney Pine — back on tenor sax for the first time in years — conjures assorted moods. Rivers of Blood is a brooding meditation taking its title from Enoch Powell’s 1968 racist speech, while A Change Is Sure to Come is a wistful, flute~driven piece. Omar brings an elegant touch to Herbie Hancock’s Butterfly, and snappy vitality to opener Rules. Robert Mitchell’s piano shines among a supporting trio, and Pine, whether in contemplation or post~bop flurry, shows why he’s still top dog.
••›♣ https://www.theguardian.com/
By Simon Redley, Score: 5/5
••›♣ http://www.musicrepublicmagazine.com/2017/09/courtney-pine-black-notes-deep-freestyle-records-27th-october-2017/
Label: https://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/
PRESS:
♣¤★ “Two genuine pioneers on this sterling album, a match made in heaven~ a solid, classy, sparkling and innovative offering from a true innovator” — Music Republic
♣¤★ “Pierced through with soul & sharp intelligence ~ the jazz warrior has stiffened his tenor sinews and summoned the blood” — Jazzwise
♣¤★ “shows why he’s still top dog” — The Observer
♣¤★ “Pine hits peak after peak” — The Arts Desk
♣¤★ “classy, sparkling and innovative — 5/5” — Music Republic
♣¤★ “Pine shows off his impeccable jazz credentials — 4 stars” — Mojo Magazine
♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣¤★↔★♦♠♦★Ω★♦»♠••›♣