Courtney Pine: Devotion

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * )

British saxophonist Pine emerged in the 80s in the wake of Wynton Marsalis and was immediately pinned as another cool, black neo-conservative in a sharp suit. Then he confounded expectations by working alongside DJs, hip-hoppers and drum'n'bass guys (DJ Pogo, Roni Size), and playing reggae-jazz.

He played in the big band Jazz Warriors and took as his reference point John Coltrane, although acknowledging his heritage and predecessor Joe Harriott, the Jamaican saxophonist who explored Indo-jazz fusion in the early 60s.

This typically busy, intelligent and stylistically inclusive post-bop outing opens with disconcerting radio static and manipulated sounds, launches into a soulful 70s groove over Wurlitzer and Hammond with sinuous soprano sax like a wired-up Wayne Shorter, and the title track adopts a ska-like chug. Translusance is Indo-jazz with tabla, sitar and rolling Fender bass. He goes soul-funk for Britain, has chanteuse Carleen Anderson in for the choppy ballad When the World Turns Blue, and David McAltmont brings his sultry vocals to the soulful stylings of Bless the Weather. And he takes it all home with an ambient alto soundscape.

Label: Telarc/Elite