DAVE HOLLAND QUARTET - Extensions (1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

For this tight and enjoyable quartet date, bassist Dave Holland spread the composing opportunities around, his sidemen accounting for four of the six pieces. Arguably, none of these musicians ever sounded better, or more adventurous, than when performing in Holland's bands. While the leader himself retreated a good deal from his more routinely avant-garde recordings of the '70s, he appeared unwilling to allow his younger compadres to simply coast, instead evoking probing and thoughtful playing from them. Altoist Steve Coleman derives particular benefit from Holland's supervision, sounding far more fluid and confident than own his own rather more stilted albums. The pieces follow a general head-solos-head format, though with substantial elasticity and enough variation that no sense of sameness settles in. Holland, of course, is masterful throughout, and one can easily imagine simply listening exclusively to his basslines, the amazing imagination they convey, and being very satisfied. One of his better albums from this period, Extensions should please any Holland fan, and is an agreeable and non-threatening jumping in point for the curious. by Brian Olewnick  
Tracklist :
1     Nemesis    11:36
Kevin Eubanks
2     Processional    7:21
Dave Holland
3     Black Hole    10:15
Steve Coleman
4     The Oracle    14:37
Dave Holland
5     101° Fahrenheit (Slow Meltdown)    4:56
Steve Coleman
6     Color of Mind    10:11
Kevin Eubanks
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
 Drums – Marvin "Smitty" Smith
 Guitar – Kevin Eubanks
 Producer – Manfred Eicher
 Saxophone – Steve Coleman

DAVE HOLLAND — Ones All (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1992, Dave Holland took a break from his extended residency at ECM to record his second solo bass outing, Ones All, for Intuition. In contrast to the abstract territory Holland explored with 1977's Emerald Tears, Ones All probes a more straightforward vein and feels very much like a jazz record despite its unconventional instrumentation. Holland's seemingly limitless capacity for harmonic and rhythmic invention is completely in evidence as he moves through this collection of six originals and four standards (plus one tune by Holland's fellow bassist Michael Moore). Standout tracks include his muscular romp through Coltrane's "Mr. PC" and a sublimely tender reading of Mingus' "Pork Pie Hat." In addition to validating his stature as one of the most talented and tasteful bassists of the late 20th century, Ones All is a recording that should find an enthusiastic audience with both bass and jazz lovers alike. Tom Benton
Tracklist :
1.     Homecoming 4:48
Dave Holland
2.     Three Step Dance 5:00
Glen Moore
3.     Pork Pie Hat 6:32
Charles Mingus
4.     Jumpin' In 4:23
Dave Holland
5.     Reminiscence 3:22
Dave Holland
6.     Mr. P.C. 4:53
John Coltrane
7.     Little Girl, I'll Miss You 6:55
Bunky Green
8.     Cashel 5:58
Dave Holland
9.     Blues for C.M. 5:26
Dave Holland
10.     Pass It On 5:17
Dave Holland
11.     God Bless the Child 4:36
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
Credits :
Soloist [Solo], Bass [Uncredited] – Dave Holland

DAVE HOLLAND QUARTET - Dream of the Elders (1995) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Stylewise, the music on this CD sounds much closer to a mid-'60s Blue Note release than what one might expect from ECM. Although the general sound of the ensembles is light, the music is often filled with inner heat, a little reminiscent of a Wayne Shorter record. Altoist Eric Person and vibraphonist Steve Nelson work well together, bassist Dave Holland takes plenty of solo space, drummer Gene Jackson keeps the momentum flowing and guest vocalist Cassandra Wilson does a fine job on Maya Angelou's poem "Equality." Holland's originals have plenty of variety in moods while close attention is paid to dynamics. A satisfying and thought-provoking session. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 The Winding Way 11:57
Dave Holland
2 Lazy Snake 12:25
Dave Holland
3 Claressence 7:28
Dave Holland
4 Equality 7:08
Lyrics By [Poem] – Maya Angelou
Vocals – Cassandra Wilson
5 Ebb & Flo 11:59
Dave Holland
6 Dream Of The Elders 11:07
Dave Holland
7 Second Thoughts 8:06
Dave Holland
8 Equality 6:40
Maya Angelou / Dave Holland
Credits
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Eric Person
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Gene Jackson
Vibraphone, Marimba – Steve Nelson

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET - Points of View (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

For Points of View, Holland expands his group into a quintet, shakes up the remaining personnel, and comes up with a marvelous example of thoughtful, dynamically shifting ECM chamber jazz. The new wrinkles in the sound are the return of Robin Eubanks on trombone, which gives the front line a richer, more balanced texture, and drummer Billy Kilson, who displays a wider, more animated range of rhythmic sympathies than did Gene Jackson on Dream of the Elders. Steve Nelson on vibes and marimba is the only returnee, and Steve Wilson contributes a dry tone on both alto and soprano saxes. The elegant textures so typical of ECM belie considerable stylistic variety here, including a gentle reversion to the progressively funky Holland band of the '80s on "Metamorphos"; a happy-go-lucky, easy-swinging tribute to Ray Brown, "Mr. B."; reflective, relaxed ballad work in "The Benevolent One," and Nelson's charming calypso/folk lullaby for marimba, "Serenade." Of course, Holland leaves himself a lot of solo space, which he fills with mobile eloquence. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     The Balance 9:24
Dave Holland
2     Mister B. 11:01
Dave Holland
3     Bedouin Trail 8:55
Dave Holland
4     Metamorphose 8:29
Robin Eubanks
5     Ario 10:24
Dave Holland
6     Herbaceous 9:47
Dave Holland
7     The Benevolet One 7:05
Steve Wilson
8     Serenade 6:49
Steve Nelson
Credits :
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Billy Kilson
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Steve Wilson
Trombone – Robin Eubanks
Vibraphone, Marimba – Steve Nelson

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET - Prime Directive (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

You may have to wait a while between Dave Holland-led releases, but it's always worth it. Tremendous taste prevents Holland from making unsatisfying music. He is a great leader in the truest senses of the word -- he gives his team space, trusts their abilities and judgment, yet all the while remains firmly in command and infuses the results with his own style and personality. Prime Directive is a wonderful jazz album. These 77 minutes and nine tracks do not cheat or disappoint. The straight-ahead tunes -- composed by double-bassist Holland and his talented band mates (one each) -- all bear Holland's distinctive rhythmic patterns and harmonics. A fine example is the title track, on which Robin Eubanks on trombone and Chris Potter on saxophones hold a stimulating musical conversation over the rhythm section's driving groove. For listeners who prefer a more deliberate pace, there's the searching, contemplative "Make Believe," with Steve Nelson's lovely vibraphone work appointing the mood. On the hopeful, "A Seeking Spirit," fans will be tapping along to the rhythmic feast offered up by the leader and his pace-setting partner Billy Kilson on drums. The melancholy "Candlelight Vigil" presents Holland at his bowed best. Finally, "Wonders Never Cease" finds the entire band at the height of their collective, improvisational prowess. Prime Directive is recommended; a great leader is, indeed, hard to find. by Brian Bartolini  
Tracklist :
1     Prime Directive 7:42
Dave Holland / Lojac Music
2     Looking Up 13:30
Dave Holland / Lojac Music
3     Make Believe 6:23
Dave Holland / Lojac Music
4     A Searching Spirit 11:19
Robin Eubanks
5     High Wire 6:45
Chris Potter
6     Jugglers Parade 8:11
Dave Holland / Lojac Music
7     Candlelight Vigil 4:48
Lojac Music / Steve Nelson
8     Wonders Never Cease 13:50
Billy Kilson
9     Down Time 3:49
Dave Holland / Lojac Music
Credits :
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Billy Kilson
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter
Trombone, Cowbell – Robin Eubanks
Vibraphone, Marimba – Steve Nelson