Dave HOLLAND Quintet - Critical Mass 2006
Jazz
The Dave Holland Quintet was born in 1983 (the first incarnation of the band) on the album, Jumpin’ In. The original 1980s quintet (which had no chordal instruments—only bass, drums, and brass and reed instruments) went on to record two more albums after that. In 1997, Holland formed a second quintet, one which would gain more recognition and accolades over the course of its career (which still continues to this day), including multiple Grammy nominations and wins. The current quintet includes Robin Eubanks on trombone and cowbell; Steve Nelson on marimba and vibraphone; Chris Potter on saxophones; and Nate Smith on drums. Their music is a mixture of progressive-minded modern post-bop and avant-garde jazz, characteristically with asymmetrical rhythms and creative harmonies.
Intellect and physicality have always been close partners in the music of Dave Holland. As a bassist he combines a bruising tone with
smartly nimble execution; he doesn't make it seem easy, but good, and right. He accomplishes much the same balance in his compositions,
and with his signature band.
''Critical Mass'' is the Dave Holland Quintet's first studio album in five years, though it doesn't feel that long. Mr. Holland has kept the
group visible, not only on tour but also as the nucleus for his dynamic big band. And not much has changed about its basic sound or style.
Mr. Holland still writes for a frontline of Chris Potter on tenor and soprano saxophones and Robin Eubanks on trombone, often entangling
them in serpentine counterpoint. Steve Nelson still provides the only harmonic accompaniment, sparingly, on vibraphone. Mr. Holland lays
down his usual concrete foundation, against which a drummer can either abrade or glide. (There's a different drummer now, Nate Smith,
but his propulsive style adheres to the established model.)
As on past albums, the ensemble favors funk over swing and features tunes by each of its members. And it once again manages to pair
combustion with containment, so that even when things heat up -- as they often do, most vividly on ''Full Circle,'' by Mr. Eubanks -- there's
still control.
But the title still works: critical mass is the point at which this band resides. There are many examples on the album, none better than the
squalling climax of Mr. Nelson's ''Amator Silenti,'' the album's closing track. It's a moment all the more impressive for what has preceded
it: more than an hour of heightened performance of the sort that gives reliability a good name.
By Nate Chinen.
**
The jazz phrase “in the pocket” can mean simply keeping good time, or it can suggest an intuitive connection between members that allows each musician to anticipate the moves of his or her band mates. On the superb Critical Mass, the Dave Holland Quintet proves itself worthy of both definitions. Double bassist Holland, sax player Chris Potter, drummer Nate Smith, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and vibraphonist Steve Nelson play with an ESP few jazz groups achieve, and they make it sound effortless. Critical Mass sails through its New Orleans-inflected tunes like a marathon swimmer — active, but graceful. This energy originates with Holland, whose bass undergirds the clean timbre of the horns and sunny sounds of the vibraphone. On the Indian-inspired melody of ‘Secret Garden’, the vibraphone and horns, create a polyrhythm that both grounds and destabilizes the listener. Such a feeling typifies Critical Mass, a nearly flawless album whose inventiveness is only outweighed by its serenity.
By Stephanie Hanson.
**
Chris Potter- Tenor and soprano saxophone
Robin Eubanks- Trombone
Steve Nelson- Vibraphone, marimba, tambourine
Dave Holland- Bass
Nate Smith- Drums
**
01 The Eyes Have It 6:59
02 Easy Did It 11:14
03 Vicissitudes 9:56
04 The Leak 5:43
05 Secret Garden 8:40
06 Lucky Seven 8:34
07 Full Circle 12:12
08 Amator Silenti 9:15
**
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