Devotion (2003)

"This is 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. After an electric introduction Pine blasts off with "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 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." (C. Michael Bailey, Allmusic)