Dave Holland Octet

Expanding on the quick-witted work of his celebrated quintet, bass legend Dave Holland unveils the recorded debut of an octet he first assembled nearly a decade ago. Pathways captures a five-night stand at NYC’s famous Birdland in January 2009. The band’s intuitive interplay pushes ornate arrangements to the forefront; naturally, Holland’s sturdy, fluid bass work anchors the affair.

For Holland, who pens five of the seven cuts, songwriting isn’t a means to an end so much as the initiation of a dialogue. The lyrical bass solo introducing “How’s Never?” is proof enough—a tune stretching back to the ’70s whose hard-edged groove and powerful low end pack a wallop. Trombonist Robin Eubanks (brother of outgoing Tonight Show bandleader Kevin) and tenor saxist Chris Potter pair effortlessly on the punchy title track, amplified by trumpeter Alex “Sasha” Sipiagin, plus Gary Smulyan on bari sax and fellow reedist Antonio Hart on alto sax and flute. Later, Sipiagin contributes the lovely, syncopated “Wind Dance,” whose title nicely sums up this five-piece front line.

Interaction between the horns and rhythm section is exquisite, unfolding in cascading waves. Particularly notable is Steve Nelson, whose mallet work on marimba and vibraphone lights up the corners and crevices of these arrangements more than a pianist ever could. Holland may have made his name laying down funky vamps on Miles Davis fusion classics like Bitches Brew, but these ferociously swinging proceedings look back further to Duke Ellington’s small group sessions, when only first-chair players made the cut.

The Dave Holland Quintet stakes out the Jazz Showcase Wednesday 9–June 13.

Download Pathways at iTunes | Buy it from Amazon.com

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