Rounding the bend toward his 75th year on Earth, jazz bass legend Dave Holland continues to pursue his music career with youthful vitality. About a decade ago he pivoted away from leading mid-to-large sized bands with up-and-comers in favor of smaller combos with long-established vets. I loved his 1990’s-2000’s bands but the recent projects have brought out facets of his craft not heard in decades and he’s clearly revitalized by the changed scenery, starting with Prism, continuing with Uncharted Territories and going further with 2021’s Another Land.
There’s no grand scheme behind Holland’s latest. Prior to recording this album he had been gigging with a new band, a power trio with old friend Kevin Eubanks on guitar and a newer friend Obed Calvaire on drums. After honing the chemistry, they went into the studio with a club date mindset. The material is often blues-based but not exactly basic, yet basic enough to allow everyone to let their hair down and just play their asses off. The double bass titan even plays electric bass on some cuts.
Eubanks first appeared on a Dave Holland way back on 1989’s Extensions, periodically reconvening with him after long stretches. The last time was the aforementioned quartet outing Prism from 2013. For that review, I noted that Eubanks always seems at his very best with Holland at his side, and once again the former Tonight Show bandleader brought his A game, playing cliche-free phrases bristling with fresh ideas and a healthy dose of gumption.
This is possibly Calvaire’s first go-around with Holland, but he’s long worked with jazz notables including Monty Alexander, Etienne Charles and Helen Sung. Whoever drums with Holland needs to be an excellent listener and Calvaire certainly has the ears for the job.
Another Land doesn’t sound like a record built around an idea or set of ideas; rather, it’s a record constructed around the musicians themselves. Though it’s Holland’s name on the record, this is very much a trio of equals; even the songwriting chores are split equally between Holland and Eubanks along with Calvaire’s “Gentle Warrior.”
“Grave Walker” is funky with serpentine lines that Holland makes sound easy and natural. His electric bass approach is the same as it was from his time with Miles Davis: fundamentally sound, precise and devoid of unnecessary notes. Eubanks’ aside sees him stay committed to the rhythm role, only he’s making more hay from that position.
“20 20” takes a muscular, rock-like approach but with all the intricacies of jazz that leverages the elite skills of all three participants. “Mashup” is more of that brawny stuff, Eubanks leading with a swerving ostinato and getting strong support from the Calvaire/electric Holland rhythm section. Like “20 20,” you realize over time this is really a sophisticated jazz tune in rock ‘n’ roll clothing. Calvaire gets a song-ending feature that shows what he can do when both power and nuance is called for. . The smoldering “The Village” is the most direct rocker here and a rare instance of Holland soloing on electric bass. And “Quiet Fire” lives up to its name, with Eubanks unaccompanied spilling out intimate, liquid notes.
The fare here has slower tempo tunes mixed in for contrast, but that softness shouldn’t be mistaken for lightness, and sometimes the boys can’t help themselves and let the momentum build up. A repeating acoustic bass figure instantly frames “Another Land,” but Eubanks’ dubs a velvet-toned electric guitar over a fingerpicked acoustic one and Calvaire’s brushes keep this one soft-edged. A repeating acoustic bass figure also defines the outer shape of the brisker “Gentle Warrior,” a variation of which serves as the bridge; the leader himself takes a solo that locks into the same rhythm plane that Calvaire is operating on.
The closing track “Bring It Back Home” feels like the jam-iest of the bunch, and Eubanks is clearly enjoying himself as the other two tightly hold down the fort.
Hearing Dave Holland playing loose and sometimes hard with other top line players in a democratic trio setting is just as good as you would think it would be. Maybe even a little bit better. Another Land is now offered for sale, from Edition Records.
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