Gary “Nesta” Pine has released Back To Roots — his third album and his first in ten years. The digital set arrived on 30 September 2026 through his Jahdax Music label, with Paul Kastick producing. It follows Revelations (2016) and debut From Jahmaica to de World (2015). Play what is on official YouTube in the Listen library; Reggaeville lists the full eleven-track sequence.
The Jamaica Observer (7 October) reports that Pine took his time rather than rush a follow-up. He told the paper: “I do music because I want to do music, not because of monetary or anything like that.” Arranger and keyboardist Alex Blanken played a major role in the sessions, with Kastick on drums, bassist Michael Fletcher and guitarist Rudy Valentino also on the album, per the Observer and Reggae North (Howard Campbell, 4 September).
Portland, The Wailers and the elders
Pine was born in Portland. From 1998 to 2006 he was lead vocalist for The Wailers — the touring band that carried Bob Marley’s catalogue to global stages after Marley’s death. With that group he sang on French producer Bob Sinclar’s “Love Generation”, a major European hit in 2005–06, the Observer notes.
On Back To Roots, “This Song” salutes Burning Spear. Pine befriended the roots legend in the late 1970s when Spear visited Portland for jam sessions with brothers Anthony and Devon Bradshaw, the Observer reports. Pine told the paper that younger acts owe the architects of reggae their respect: “We can’t neglect the roots and the creators of it... maximum raspek to the elders always.”
She’s Gone and the tracklist
“She’s Gone” is a cover. The Observer and Reggae North both note Hall & Oates’ original; Pine knew the Tavares soul version from 1974 first. Reggaeville’s release page lists: “Usher Dem Out,” “Eezit Up,” “Roots Rock Reggae,” “This Song,” “Pozitiv Vibrahon,” “Good Morning Universe,” “For Her Love,” “Spiritual,” “Give You My Love,” “She’s Gone” and “Never Quit.”
Listen
- Play Back To Roots in the Listen library (official YouTube audio where available).
- Tracks on JamaicansMusic now: “Usher Dem Out”, “This Song”, “Give You My Love” and “She’s Gone”.
- Browse Gary Pine in the artist catalogue.
Editor’s note: at publication, official YouTube had not yet posted embeddable audio for “Eezit Up,” “Roots Rock Reggae,” “Pozitiv Vibrahon,” “Good Morning Universe,” “For Her Love,” “Spiritual” or “Never Quit” on Gary Nesta Pine - Topic or the @nestapine channel. We will add them when label uploads appear.
Sources: Jamaica Observer — “Gary ‘Nesta’ Pine goes Back to Roots” (7 Oct 2026; release date, Jahdax Music, Paul Kastick, band, Wailers tenure, “Love Generation,” Burning Spear / Bradshaw sessions, Tavares / Hall & Oates cover, quoted remarks); Reggaeville — Back To Roots release page (digital release 30 Sep 2026, tracklist); Reggae North — “Back to Roots for Gary Nesta Pine” (Howard Campbell, 4 Sep 2026; label, producer, prior albums, session musicians, “She’s Gone” origin with Kastick and Blanken); official YouTube (Gary Nesta Pine - Topic, @nestapine) for Listen embeds.