Dave Holland has been a major player on the jazz scene since the 70s, playing with greats like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. He’s even been called one of the best jazz bassists ever — second only to Charles Mingus. On his latest recording with his current quintet, Holland shows off more of the deft bass playing and loose, flowing arrangements that have made him such a legend.
The opener, “Global Citizen,” is a long jam with plenty of room for solos from the entire band, including a quick-fingered workout by Holland. The band (which consists of sax-man Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibes player Steve Nelson, and drummer Billy Kilson) is equally adept on “Lost and Found,” which is highlighted by some chiming vibraphone and Kilson’s fast, dense percussion.
Also worthy of mention is “What Goes Around,” which shifts effortlessly from long free-jazz skronk sessions to more subdued melodic sections. But the entire album is great, each track managing to both stand out and flow perfectly as part of the whole.
Archived article by Ed Howard