Disposable Heroes of Acid Jazz Part I

Courtney Pine - Oneness of Mind
From Underground: Antilles 537 745-2 [Buy]

Courtney Pine - Don't X'Plain (Roni Size Remix)
From Another Story: Antilles 536 928-2 [Buy]

In the 1990s, the term "Acid Jazz" was used to justify a multitude of sins, and took the sheen off many triumphant musical moments. Now we're in the 21st Century, perhaps we can bypass the hype.

Perhaps we can look back and pick out some of the great music to emerge from this grand meeting of dancehall head-nodders, rappers, Coltrane worshippers and Horace Silver tribute bands.

British saxophonist Courtney Pine probably needs little introduction. His albums, many featuring the cream of the crop of current straightahead players from the US, have sold remarkably well. Young, black and sharply dressed, Pine's debut disc, Journey to the Urge Within, went Top 40 in the UK in 1987. And Mr Pine has not looked back since.

So try out these two contrasting tracks. Mr Pine (ts) is joined by Nicholas Payton (tp), Jeff "Tain" Watts (d), Reginald Veal (b), Cyrus Chestnut (p) and DJ Pogo (turntables) on Oneness of Mind.

And then Roni Size messes with Mr Pine's version of Billie Holiday song Don't Explain, sung by Cassandra Wilson.