Customer Reviews

Prime Directive

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're familiar with the Dave Holland Quintet, you probably aren't reading this. I'm writing this review for those of you who aren't familiar with Holland and who may be into straight-ahead jazz new and old. What I have to say is this: If you're thinking of trying out something fresh that is rooted in tradition but is also very modern and unique (like I was when I bought this), you may enjoy this disc, or even come to love it. I'm not kidding. The music is complex yet accessible, refined yet funky, melodic without being cloying. The group's musicianship is impeccable. Plus, the album never gets old, listen after listen. I've had it 6 months and have easily listened to it all the way through over fifty times. (Gee, maybe it's time I bought more CDs?) Seriously, though, open up and try this one out.

To put it quite simply, this album is a landmark recording and the quintessential Quintet recording of the past decade. I own every solo recording by Dave Holland and it seems as if he is one of the few artists who strives to elevate his music with each new outing. "Prime Directive" features Holland on double-bass, the brilliant tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone work of Chris Potter, the ever powerful trombone of Robin Eubanks (take that brother Kev), the sweet vibe and marimba sounds of Steve Nelson, and the rock solid drumming of Billy Kilson. Each of the eight cuts off of this nearly 77 minute outing is a masterpiece in and of itself. No artist attempts to out play the others. It's a "true" quintet and team effort. Make this disc a must have and trust me when I say, listening to this disc proves that jazz is alive and healthy and this group just ran a marathon with this one... Greg Randolph

When my teacher at college played this CD for my class (I go to a music school) I was totally blown away. All he had to play was the first cut, "Looking Up" and I was hooked. Dave Holland is an amazing bass player and Chris Potter is one of the best sax players in the world. This CD is absolutely one any jazz lover should own.

I had almost given up hoping that any real players (except maybe Branford Marsalis) were still pushing the envelope. But Holland's band pushes it softly, with the most gorgeous layers of counterpoint and harmony/melody in the arrangements. This band kind of reminds me of a 21st century Birth of the Cool, but frankly I like it better than the nonet. This is the best new jazz I HAVE HEARD FOR YEARS.

I'm sure that USA readers of this review won't mind me saying that American jazz fans are fairly conservative-which is reflected by so many of the jazz musicians who score recording contracts. But this wonderful CD by Dave Holland and his group show that you can make exciting melodious modern jazz without simply repeating the past. Enough lecturing! This is just great music. Rythmically innovative and tuneful to boot with solos that burn. What else do you want. BUY IT! I'd give it 5 stars but i need one left over in case Dave's next album is better.

Five musicians at the top of their game come together and produce an absolute masterpiece of musical innovation. Everything is here: Lyrical - I found myself singing made up words to Candlelight Vigil to my wife on my way home from a party one evening. Rhythmic - anything with Billy Kilson on it is gonna pulse but Holland pushes the complexity button and your feet don't quite know whether to stomp, stand, sit or go blind. Tonal - make no mistake about it there are five instruments (sax, trombone, vibes, bass, drums) at work in every second of this recording. You may not hear some of them but even that comes through loud and clear. Compositional - these songs were very carefully crafted but there's still an overriding sense of sponteneity. This is music cutting a new path in the Jazz landscape. Visual - close your eyes and the real magic begins. There are scenes of people, places, expressions, emotions, abstractions. If Miles were alive, this is what he'd be listening to today.

Currently I am listening to and enjoying this CD enormously and find that it is ever revealing new touches and nuances. Some parts are reflective and beautiful, others are driving and assertive but all of it is finely balanced and extremely well arranged for the complex quintet ensemble.

This is jazz music of the highest order from outstanding musicians with a slightly unusual but highly effective mix of instruments.

It is interesting that this band is Bassist Dave Holland's quintet, leading from the rhythm section has meant that the foreground is not dominated by the leader and this is what gives the music it's greatest strength - the subtlety and harmonic fullness provided by the sax, trombone and vibes all acting democratically. Hearing the sax and trombone blending in together and intertwining is moving and evocative; the vibes contributing subtly but then bursting forward in flurries of notes. Magic!

The arrangements are so good that these guys would sound great even playing "three blind mice" but fortunately they are playing strong original material too. All musicians are individually excellent and show this when they take the floor for solos - in particular the trombone sounds great. However it's when they are working together when the magic really comes.

A further point is that the CD is an excellent recording. I have been playing it on a fairly serious hi-fi and it sounds as if the quintet is in my front room. When the trombone gets blown hard everyting in the room vibrates (including my lungs!).

Congratulations to Dave Holland for putting together and leading this superb group, he has produced a fine work. He should also be proud of his quintet which is, in my view, the most interesting and creative unit operating in this area of jazz.

My advice? Buy this - it is arguably the outstanding jazz CD release of 2000.

Plus - look out for the quintet's newest release "Not for Nothin'".

Dave Holland's groups are among the best in jazz today. He combines simple and complex musical elements to create a unique type of jazz. It is full of hypnotic vamps, and there is always a strong rhythmic drive. Even with all of the strange time-signatures, it is not hard to follow the structure of the music. At the same time, all of the players are extremely advanced melodically, harmonically, and rhythmically. Chris Potter, in particular, takes the harmony to the furthest extremes of complexity. But because of the rhythmic strength and the repetitive underlying harmonies, I think even newbie jazz fans could enjoy this album.
There is not a single loser on this album. Every song is catchy and engaging, and most of the solos (especially those of Chris Potter and Steve Nelson) are, for all their complexity, melodic and memorable.
This is the kind of album that you can listen to endlessly without getting tired of it. Indeed, I've listened to the title track alone in excess of 50 times.
If you haven't heard any Dave Holland, or if you are new to modern jazz, this is a great place to start. If you are an experienced jazz fan, this will be a valuable addition to your collection.

The studio versions of these songs don't hit the same highs as the versions on Extended Play (see Jugglers Parade) but everything on Prime Directive is excellent and can be played all the way through. Overall a great Dave Holland disc.

I have to finally write my opinion of this album. I am amazed by the playing on this fantastic record. The way the horns talk to each other, as though opinions are being declared back and forth, I never tire of listening. I have never heard two horns interact so beautifully. The vibrapone is perfect in this group and sets up such a great mood when backing up the others, but really shines in the forefront! This recording has alot of depth, is very complex and has taken me quite a while to appreciate all that is happening.
Having heard Extentions and the powerful drumming that dominates on that record, made the drumming on Prime Directive at first sound thin and unsatisfying. Now however, I love the drum approach and style Billy Kilson has. I saw them live in 2002 and watching Kilson play made me want to burn my sticks in my fireplace! His style is so unique, that you just have to see him play to really understand what he is capable of.
Seeing them live also allows you to see how well Dave Holland holds this band together and how much enjoyment he gets out of playing with them.