Cameron Pierre feat. Courtney Pine - The Other Side Of Notting Hill (2002)

Notting Hill is home to a legion of world citizens of all persuasions and ethnic lineage. Foremost of these, in London's version of New York's Hell's Kitchen, are Londoners with Caribbean roots. Now the annual, colourful and boisterous Carnival has become world famous along with Portobello antique and street markets. Behind all this is an infrastructure of artists, writers, musicians, societies and clubs. Cameron Pierre lives on 'the other side' in the iconic Trellick Towers, now home to countless other alert, talented individuals. He has put into this exuberant and joyous album, a heady mix of R & B, Soul, Jazz, Zouk and Reggae, an exhilarating experience combining where it's from with where it's at.
This is an awesome album from Courtney Pine's lead guitarist. The sound is fresh and simple, and had me grinning like a loon on the train, desperate to boogy. Contributions from jazz legends, including Courtney, Juliet Lewis and Dennis Rollins make this an album with plenty of depth. There are a few slower tracks, but the general mood is sunshine and dancing.