The ethos behind this latest project from Courtney Pine was to create an album that reflects humanity's experiences of recent years by incorporating through the jazz medium a body of work that gives hope to our unified future with a deep emphasis on spirituality.

Key component for the project is the award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman who previously worked on a duet album with Pine entitled 'Song' ( The Ballad Book), her playing here acting as an assured anchor to Pines' bass clarinet. Half of the tracks also feature a string quartet of two violas, violin, and cello.

The music here starts with an original composition 'Black Water' a gospel infused piece that sets the tone of the album. Pine's use of the bass clarinet as the lead voice throughout the album brings an alluring earthy flavour to the performances. Among the covers is the Welsh hymn 'Ayr Hod Y Nos' (All through the night) a song Pine first sung in school assembly as an 8-year-old at primary pupil. The arrangement came about after he performed at the Brecon Jazz Festival, during which he played a cadenza that incorporated the hymn, which unexpectedly, prompted male members of the audience to break out in song. It was then that Pine realised the significance of the song. Other covers include Irving Berlin's 'What'll I Do', Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile', Michel Legrand's 'Windmills Of My Mind' and others, vehicles created for Pine and Rahman to improvise on.

The last track, 'Your Majesty', was composed by Pine in dedication to Queen Elizabeth II. In 2000 he received an MBE from the late Queen and during their brief conversation Pine asked if anyone had composed music in her honour recently. She replied no and Pine's quest to find the ideal composition began.