The Jazz Project - Album 98: Courtney Pine - "Journey To The Urge Within"

        To further my understanding of Jazz, I'm listening through Jazzwise Magazine's "The 100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World". Each album is presented with my stream-of-consciousness thoughts for each track, my general thoughts of the album as a whole, and any relevant information I can capture about the album. Also included is my drink of choice while taking the album in. Thank you for joining me on my journey to [partial] Jazz enlightenment.

Album 98

Courtney Pine - Journey To The Urge Within
Drinking: Founders All Day IPA

1. "Miss Interpret": A great intro track to the album with a solid mix. It definitely captures that 80's sound. That tune is amazing though, Pine has great chops. There is a nice blend of contemporary sounds with an old school backbone. The intro and outro feel very reminiscent of Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. I wish it had a more defined ending than a fade-out.
   
   
2. "I Believe": Very smooth tone here and another lovely intro. I'd listen to this on my walk home any day. This effortlessly bobs and weaves in and out of improv and the main riff. The sporadic jaunts of improv don't feel too jarring either. Perhaps it's the Coltrane I started to digest over at the beginning of this year. 
   
   
3. "Peace": This song is a great followup to "I Believe." It's a cover of a song by Horace Silver. It's soulful, and it makes me wish I was sipping on something a tad more classy than a session IPA. I wonder how this compares to the original. I'm glad there are passages where Pine lets the piano take the main-stage. 
   
   
4. "Dolores": A cover of the Wayne Shorter tune, and it certainly feels like a Wayne Shorter piece. Again, I would love to hear the original. I like that it picks up the pace of the album again. Also digging the bass-line and the way it's been mixed. The drum solo is excellent, it has some real punch to it. Ultimately it doesn't quite feel like Pine has found his voice yet, or is just trying to showcase Shorter, which would be okay too. This would make sense as it's Pine's debut album.
   
   
5. "As We Would Say": This feels like a hot night in downtown. Everyone knows each other, and it's the general rumble of the people talking. The muted trumpets in the back sound like carts honking in the distance. This track feels very alive. All the parts are off on their own creating this delicious piece of music. Or perhaps this song follows a late-night cab making its way through the night. 
   
   
6. "Children Of The Ghetto": A cover of the Chris Amoo and Eddie Amoo. A very smooth song with some welcomed vocals. There are some very tasteful dynamics featured on this track. It feels very organic. I do wish the sax solo wasn't so far back in the mix. A bright upfront tune would make me happy. I loved the scat and sax solo near the end, very cool. 
   
   
7. "When, Where, How And Why": The intro chords to this song are tasty! Song has a similar feel to "As We Would Say," but with the sax sound from "Children Of The Ghetto." Still, it's got this funkiness to it. Overall this song lacks a general flow for me. Not my favorite so far. The middle section lost me, which is unfortunate because there are great riffs that bookend this song. 
   
   
8. "C.G.C": I like the creeping intro to this song. It's got a cool syncopated riff. Again, I get a "Watermelon Man" vibe from the song. Just when I think I'm getting the riff, it changes again which is keeping my attention. What does C.G.C. mean? It's a very quiet song compared to the rest of the album. 
   
   
9. "Seen": It feels like part to of C.G.C. Very smooth and riffy. I'm not getting much in the way of feelings though. But overall, perhaps this is an album about the freewheeling young spirit going through their life/day? 
   
   
10. "Sunday Song": This is the shortest song on the album, weighing in at 1 minute and 27 seconds. Very tasteful though. Each note is given its due time. A nice, somber song. 
    
    
11. "E.F.P.": This song as some attitude! The drums and sax have excellent chemistry. That piano is  a runaway train. I'm blown away by the speed and ferocity of the drums. The scat part I could take it or leave it, but hot damn, this track might be my favorite on the album. That fat breakdown in the middle is rocking. 
    
    
12. "Big Nick": A cover of John Coltrane. Very smooth, and a great homage to the late and great Coltrane. I like the pace of this song. Relaxed, with just a hint of a strut. 

Overall thoughts: I'm not really sure what the journey was, or where it was going, but there were tasty riffs and strong playing. Perhaps its a child's journey into adulthood? Maybe. It's a solid album though. It was a solid album, but not one I'll be revisiting much in the future. You should still check it out thought, it might be perfect for your musical palette. 

Info: This album was released in 1986 through the Verve label. Produced by Michael Cuscuna. It was the debut album of saxophonist Courtney Pine who has gone on to create 15 more albums to date. The album features 11 performers: Courtney Pine on Tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and bass clarinet, Ray Carless on baritone saxophone, Kevin Robinson on trumpet, Julian Joseph on piano, Roy Carter on keyboards, Orphy Robinson on vibraphone, Martin Taylor on guitar, Gary Crosby on bass guitar, Mark Mondesir on drums, Susaye Greene on vocals, and Cleveland Watkiss on vocals. 

Buy the album here

Listen to the album here