Out Of The Ghetto: A Modern Day Jazz Story

Released 24th April 2026

Courtney Pine CBE stands as one of the most important architects of modern British jazz. London born, he emerged in the mid 1980s as not just a gifted saxophonist but as a sweeping cultural force who repositioned jazz as a rich contemporary music rooted in Britain’s Black communities and beyond. In 1986 Courtney Pine’s debut album Journey To The Urge Within charted in the UK Top 40 albums chart, and placed jazz unequivocally in the centre of reggae, soul, hip hop and the sound-system culture, leaving a legacy that still resonates loudly today.

Four decades on, Out Of The Ghetto, A Modern Day Jazz Story is released by UMR on 24^th April to celebrate Courtney Pine’s seismic influence. A 2CD collection and expanded digital edition that traces his formative recording period from the mid 1980s to the late 1990s, Out Of The Ghetto, A Modern Day Jazz Story includes three previously unreleased 1986 studio recordings. Here for the first time are rare versions of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Lady (available now), alongside two Courtney originals Guidance and Song for Our Children.

Out Of The Ghetto, A Modern Day Jazz Story reflects Courtney’s dual legacy as both subject and curator of his own history. CD1 is compiled by respected BBC jazz critic and Echoes writer Kevin Le Gendre and offers a critical perspective on Courtney’s early impact and artistic development. CD2 is curated by Courtney himself, highlighting the personal, political and musical choices that shaped his journey. Together they form a definitive portrait of an artist whose impact and influence continues to resonate, not only in UK jazz where many of today’s

C2 –Courtney’s Choice – compiled by Courtney Pine

1 Sacrifice                                                            Destiny’s Song + The Image Of Pursuance (1988)
2 Our Descendants’ Descendants               The Vision’s Tale (1989)
3 Lady Day And (John Coltrane)                 Back in the Day (2000)
4 Underground                                                 Underground (1997)
5 Don’t Xplain                                                    Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
6 The 37th Chamber                                       Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
7 Save the Children                                          Underground (1997)
8 In the Garden Of Eden (Thinking Inside Of You) – Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
9 Absolution                                                       Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
10 The Jazzstep                                                 Back in the Day (2000)
11 My Father’s Place                                       Back In The Day (2000)
12 Brotherman                                                  Back in the Day (2000)
13 Sophisticated Lady                                     (1986 Studio Recording)*
14 Guidance                                                       (1986 Studio Recording)*
15 Song for Our Children                               (1986 Studio Recording)*

Part Two – compiled by Courtney Pine

1 Sacrifice                                                            Destiny’s Song + The Image Of Pursuance (1988)
2 Our Descendants’ Descendants               The Vision’s Tale (1989)
3 Lady Day And (John Coltrane) Back in the Day (2000)
4 Underground                                                 Underground (1997)
5 Don’t Xplain                                                    Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
6 The 37th Chamber                                       Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
7 Save the Children                                          Underground (1997)
8 In the Garden Of Eden (Thinking Inside Of You) Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
9 Absolution                                                       Modern Day Jazz Stories (1995)
10 The Jazzstep                                 Back in the Day (2000)
11 My Father’s Place                                       Back In The Day (2000)
12 Brotherman                                  Back in the Day (2000)
13 Sophisticated Lady                     (1986 Studio Recording)*
14 Guidance                                                       (1986 Studio Recording) *
15 Song for Our Children                               (1986 Studio Recording) *
16 A Ragamuffin’s Stance                              The Vision’s Tale (1989) **
17 Hardtimes                                                     Back In The Day (2000) **