Dave Holland Sextet - Pass It On (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Instant Classic

S. Finefrock | Raleigh, NC | 10/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dave Holland's Quintet has been one of the best working jazz bands over the last decade, plus. They have contributed classics like EXTENDED PLAY:LIVE AT BIRDLAND (one of the all time great live jazz recordings), PRIME DIRECTIVE and CRITICLA MASS. Here Holland mixes things up and comes back with a sextet that changes up the lineup, without sacrificing his high standard of quality. As usual the interplay between musicians is on a high plain. It's interesting hearing Mulgrew Miller's fine piano in place of Steve Nelson's always inventive vibes. Lone holdover from the Quintet, Robin Eubanks, shines as always on trombone. Standout tracks include THE SUM OF ALL PARTS, LAZY SNAKE and PASS IT ON. Very highly recommended to music lovers, jazz fans and especially fans of Holland's previous work."

Its great to hear alternative versions of these songs but...

Frebnedzo | Kiryat Tivon, Israel | 11/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...but, I think that this is a weaker group than other groups

of Dave Holland. Background : I am a jazz guitarist and extremely

interested in living jazz composers and consider Holland to be one

of the best (along with Chick Corea and John Scofield(!)). I own

all the quintet CDs and a bunch of his prior outings (recordings

with John Abercrombie, Extensions, and the recordings with Steve

Coleman and Marvin Smith). So I am familiar with the compositions

and hearing them in a new setting is a real treat.

However, I think alto saxophonist Antonio Hart is a bit weak,

as is trumpeter Alex "Sasha" Sipiagin. Perhaps they are just "young"

and someday we'll look back on this recording and see some early

signs of genius, but Hart in particular sounds a bit insipid for

Hollands music (of course, I'm comparing him to Potter, Steve Coleman,

Julian Priestly and Anthony Braxton).

Mulgrew Miller is pleasant, and Hollands use of piano is similar to

Steve Nelsons role in the Quintet (and to be critical, I find Nelson

to be a stronger, more mature player). There is a real nice arranging

device in one piece where the piano doubles the saxophone melody

while the brass play backgrounds.

Eric Harland is a fresh voice, and has a good modern drummer vibe.

All in all, a pleasant listen, Hollands compositions and arrangements

are always great, but I find it is rounding out the collection and not

as necessary a purchase as the Quintet or Big Band recordings (or even

some earlier trio and quartet recordings).

"

Billy Killson - where are you?

Ken | 09/20/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lord knows I loves me some Dave Holland music. He features prominently in my music collection, both as a sideman, leader and composer. For my money he and Wayne Shorter are the twin towers in shaping the direction of post bop jazz. Both can claim to have the tightest bands in music today. With such a glorious history, the decision to purchase Pass It On was an easy one. I am sure new and returning fans won't be disappointed. As in the past, the new CD spotlights the greatest jazz trombonist of all time, Robin Eubanks (sorry JJ), an impressive line-up of accomplished jazz luminaries and of course, the compositions and virtuoso double-bass contributions of Dave Holland.

Still, for me, something is lacking. Replacing Steve Nelson on vibes is Mulgrew Miller on piano. Although Steve provided a spare surreal sound to the ensemble sound, I can live with that. Antonio Hart replaces Chris Potter. Although no mortal can replace the intuitive, deep and almost telepathic connection and spirited interply between Potter and Eubanks, I can even deal with that. What I miss most, and this is no slam to the estimable Eric Harland, is the mercurial, quirky fire that Billy Kilson consistently lent to the proceedings. It is not simply a matter of being the "best drummer". Kilson for this group was the "right" drummer. Just like Charlie Rouse was the right tenor sax for Monk (sorry Trane).

Undoubtably there are some beautiful tracks on this latest effort. Mulgrew Miller in particular, makes some spectacular contributions. I may feel differently after a few more listenings and my expectations born of the past diminish. For now at least I still carry the Kilson torch."

Mo Better Jazz

Vincent P. Harris | Silver Spring, Maryland USA | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again Dave Holland and Crew adapt, adjust and improvise exquisitely and improvisationally. This is a great album to buy if just for the tune Equality. Soothing and energizing music for the long haul. If you want to get through the current economic crisis with a positive attitude adjustment I recommend it highly. - Vincent"

A looser Dave Holland group

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 12/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recent Dave Holland small groups were models of tightness. Albums like "Critical Mass" were very thought-out and practiced. They were also very good, but Dave Holland decided to mix with the formula a bit. Forming a sextet, with only Robin Eubanks carrying over, Dave Holland decided to loosen the reins a bit. The end result is more improvisational, riskier, but a little rough in spots.

"The Sum Of All Parts" starts with Eric Harland and Robin Eubanks playing in a New Orleans vibe. The rest of the group joins with the melody. "Fast Track" has a Mulgrew Miller piano solo. Holland's small groups have had vibes instead of piano, Miller's piano fits in a bit better on faster songs. The song ends with Antonio Hart's sax, Alex Sipiagin's trumpet, and Eubanks' trombone soloing together. "Lazy Snake" is another song where you can guess the tempo from the title. "Double Vision" is a fast song with a melody that altenates between major-key bright and minor-key dark. It was originally recorded on "Seeds Of Time" with a similar lineup, minus the piano. Some of the songs on "Pass It On" were previously recorded by Holland, most notably "Equality". The original version of "Equality" gave the focus to Cassandra Wilson's vocals. This bluesy version is also very good. "Modern Times" has some good horn lines curling back and forth and around each other. "Rivers Run" has an opening statement from Hart's sax, then sort of meanders on. The soloing is good, though. "Processional" is a pretty ballad, and "Pass It On" is somewhat in the vein of "Fast Track".

As far as I can tell six of the nine songs are on previous Holland discs. Besides "Double Vision" (Seeds Of Time) and "Equality" (Dream Of The Elders), there is "Rivers Run" (Triplicate), "Lazy Snake" (Dream Of The Elders), "Pass It On" (One's All), and "Processional" (Extensions).

Dave Holland fans will be interested in this slightly looser direction. Anyone turned off by what they perceived as slickness in "Critical Mass" will also be interested in this disc too.

"

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	Dave Holland Sextet Pass It On Genres: Jazz, Pop Track Listings (9) - Disc #1 Sum of All Parts Fast Track Lazy Snake Double Vision Equality Modern Times Rivers Run Processional Pass It On
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