What Goes Around

Dave Holland

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B00006C2DL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,592 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Quick horns, fat bass, sharp angles, and lyrical melodies have earmarked Dave Holland's quintets since he formed his first in 1983. And on What Goes Around, Holland stakes his big band on the same values with phenomenal success. Mingus and Ellington are clearly the inspiration here, with jumping solos running alongside brass and reed riffs aplenty. The leader's longstanding emphasis on hummable melodies is of utmost importance, from the first, loping lines of "Triple Dance" through the bounding, three-minute bass solo and Ellingtonian riff-making on "Shadow Dance." Steve Nelson's vigorous vibraphone serves as rhythm and melody so fluidly that it draws the ear through the well-ordered crowd of 10 horns toward the big, pumping hearts of these tunes. Chris Potter's tenor cuts a formidable, excited swath, as does drummer Billy Kilson's swift marriage of Elvin Jones's force and Billy Higgins's snapping sharpness. But the clear voice is found in the marriage of Holland's quick, thick bass imaginings and his soulful, wide-ranging tunes. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Holland does it again!, February 3, 2003

By	MurrayTheCat (upstate New York) - See all my reviews

When I first saw the promo for this on the ECM site, I thought: "Oh no, just a rehashing of previous tunes in a big-band format?" Boy, was I wrong. This is yet another stellar album by one of the most talented musicians around (certainly my all-time favorite bassist). Dave has a knack for attracting very talented players, and the entire group plays like they've been a band for years--of course, it does help that the rhythm section has, in fact, played together for years.

Highlights? The whole album's a highlight. The solos are superb, popping through the fantastic horn arrangements. Steve Nelson's vibes give the music that signature Holland-group sparseness. The compositions are typically Dave: brilliantly imaginative. And, each tune is a fresh realization; no going through the motions here.

I can't say enough about talented--understatement!--drummer Billy Kilson. Try the break in "The Razor's Edge" from 2:22 to 2:27, or the groove this master lays down in the same song starting at 2:36 (pay special attention to his tom-tom work in conjunction with his bass drum). And then, there's his solo in "What Goes On"; and his work with the brushes in the entrancing "First Snow." His drumming throughout the album floors me. His drumming throughout all of Dave's recent albums floors me. This guy is a monster, and I wouldn't be surprised if he will someday be mentioned in the same breath with Messrs. Roach, Jones and Williams.

Dave Holland does it again, giving us a wonderful, richly creative album with a slightly different slant, but still definitively Holland. Get this. Five stars, no problem.

Cheers,
Murray

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution of A Masterful Musician, October 4, 2002

By	A. Davis "astandavis" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dave Holland is one of the most creative musicians in the game. He has a long track record of taking young and creative musicians and putting them into situations where they have to grow and evolve artistically. He has proven this with a string of excellent previous recordings including his 80's Quintet ("Seeds of Time", "Jumpin' In" and "The Razor's Edge"), his '88 Trio ("Triplicate"), his early '90's Quartet ("Extensions") and his latest Quintet ("Prime Directive" and "Not For Nothin'"). I would strongly recommend new comers to check out his previous recordings to get the full appreciation of the Dave Holland Big Band.

"What Goes Around" takes Dave's last Quintet and adds brass to thicken the sound. What you get is a full course menu of Jazz invention that is hearty, tasteful and very satisfying. Borrowing arrangement styles from Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Kenny Wheeler, Holland creates another classic recording that fits perfectly into his evolutionary timeline.

The dics starts out with the big, bold and brassy "Triple Dance". This track features the big sound of Baritone Sax (Gary Smulyan) mixing it up with Trombone (Robin Eubanks) while the rhythm section swings with the propulsion of a locomotive. "Blues For C.M." is a tribute to Charles Mingus with a colorful shade of Duke Ellington mixed into the arrangements, while "The Razor's Edge" is a storm surge of brass that ends with a torrential Trombone solo by Josh Roseman. "What Goes Around" is the standout track on this disc. Previously recorded on last years' "Not For Nothin'", this track is filled with a probing bass line and shifting horn swells. The brass builds up to a frenzy only to have the bottom drop out to a beautiful quiet Bass & Vibes duo. The tension then swells up again only to be released this time by masterful drummer Billy Kilson. This track will leave you emotionally drained in a nice way. It is a good thing that "Upswing" and "First Snow" are somewhat more relaxed or you would find yourself completely spent before getting to the excellent "Shadow Dance" to finish off the experience. Antonio Hart steals this track with a georgeous Flute solo before Chris Potter & Billy Kilson bring the disc to an appropriate climatic close.

Dave's choice of compositions provide an excellent environment for high quality exchanges between the musicians. Enough cannot be said about the contributions made by regular Quintet members because they are the foundation of this Big Band, but one cannot overlook the excellent contributions made by the new musicians either. Trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and Baritone Saxophonist Gary Smulyan steal the spotlight on "Upswing" and each provide splashes of excellence throughout the recording. Antonio Hart also sparkles on Alto Saxophone and Flute. All-in-all, the group chemistry is first-rate.

Dave Holland deserves all the credit for putting together a Big Band that is capable of taking his music to new heights. His growth and evolution as an artist and bandleader should become a case study for young musicians. Dave Holland is on a multi-year roll. "What Goes Around" is his latest in high-end art. Excellence is found right here!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our loss, is your gain!, September 15, 2003

By A Customer

Is Dave Holland the best British Jazz composer? I certainly can't think of a better one.

I can't praise this CD enough. Dave Hollands quintet has always sounded to me like a larger group, such is the depth of the arrangements. So the question was, could he pull it off with a real Big Band? The answer is a resounding Yes. The arrangements are top class, the musicianship superb and the compositions brilliant. The music has that distinctive Dave Holland signature, with Mingus influences and a pinch of Ellington.

This CD is MUST for everyone who loves great music.

I hope this band are planning to cross the big pond soon.