Although it has been 10 years since his last album, Gary “Nesta” Pine said his meticulous approach to music prevented a rushed follow-up.

Back to Roots, the singer-songwriter’s third collection of songs, was released on September 30.

Released by his Jahdax Music, the album is produced by Paul Kastick Revelations, Pine’s previous album, was released in 2016.

He told the Jamaica Observer that, despite the break, he is in a good place musically.

“Gary ‘Nesta’ Pine is exactly where he’s supposed to be at this time in his musical journey, because I do music because I want to do music, not because of monetary or anything like that,” he said. “If money fi come out ah music, den ah suh it guh. Reason is, I am musical, I hear and feel and know music; I am one with music.”

Back to Roots contains a cover of She’s Gone, originally done by Hall & Oates.

While Pine eventually discovered the original, he was familiar with a soul version made popular by Tavares in 1974.

“I didn’t know the Hall & Oates version. I grew up listening and rocking out on these tracks and that one song came very quickly to me to cover because of the way Tavares did it,” said Pine.

“I tried to ask someone else to help me do it, but was promptly ghosted, but I never gave up the idea, but this time with Kastick and Alex it was.”

Alex refers to arranger and keyboardist Alex Blanken, who played a major role in Back To Roots. Kastick on drums, bassist Michael Fletcher, and guitarist Rudy Valentino also played on the album.

The Portland-born Pine was lead vocalist for The Wailers from 1998 to 2006. While with that band, he collaborated with French singer/producer Bob Sinclair on Love Generation, which was a big hit in 2005 throughout Europe.

Another track from Back to Roots, This Song, is dedicated to Burning Spear, who

Gary Nesta Pine befriended in the late 1970s when the roots singer visited Portland for jam sessions with sibling musicians Anthony and Devon Bradshaw.

He believes it is important to salute reggae’s legends.

“These young reggae acts must completely show a gigantic respect to the elders because the elders were under nuff pressure and go through hell and powder house to make the roots strong enough for them to ride on,” Pine stated.

“We can’t neglect the roots and the creators of it. With the roots they wouldn’t exist, so maximum raspek to the elders always.”

— Howard Campbell