Dave Holland Quintet - Points of View

The persuasive melodies and dark harmonies on bassist Dave Holland's Points of View further affirm his position as one of the most inventive jazz composers since his ascendance in the late 1960s. On this date, Holland leads a stunning quintet comprised of vibraphonist Steve Nelson, trombonist Robin Eubanks, saxophonist Steve Wilson, and drummer Billy Kilson. The strong communal empathy and suspenseful improvisational zeal enliven the gorgeous set of originals. The quintet successfully forges an enticing tension as it layers brooding passages on top of fiery Latin-tinged grooves. The startling timbres created by Holland, Eubanks, and Wilson suggest a heavy European classical influence, especially on Wilson's melancholy "The Benevolent One," and Holland's haunting "Bedouin Trail." They also hint at funk with the rhythmically daring "Metamorphos," as the horn section darts spiky lines against Nelson's wonderful vibraphone solo, as well as giving hints of Latin-influenced R&B with the enchanting "Serenade." Points of View is yet another dynamic album by the superb Holland. Highly recommended. --John Murph Amazon.com

With This Holland Quintet, Discoveries Never End

Dave Holland's music began to creep into my consciousness around the time, a few decades back, when I began exploring the music of Oregon and then Manfred Eicher's ECM. Holland's presence has loomed larger for me as the years, passed, but this Quintet album (along with Prime Directive and Not for Nothin') have pulled Holland to the center of my musical attention. This album is magificent! Dave Holland is not only a great and inventive bass man, but is also -- even more remarkably -- an exceptional catalyst as leader, and has time and again brought together musicians who perform at their very best -- nowhere more compellingly than on this endlessly fascinating album.

The frequent pairing of Robin Eubanks (trombone) and Steve Wilson (soprano and alto sax) is probably, for me, the ultimate highlight of this album. The harmonies and counterpoints of their lines in particularare fresh and compelling throughout. Eubanks' trombone plays a more impishly rhythmic role -- more fundamental in highlighting complex rhythms here -- than I have genrally thought trombone could be. For jazz, a vibraphone fan, with Gary Burton (see Burton and Holland's et al. much and deservedly acclaimed "Like Minds") as my very favorite player in Jazz; here Steve Nelson -- while no Burton -- delights throughout, adding a lovely cool resonance to this peerless quintet. I am surprised I have heard so little else of him, and hope to hear more.

Of course Holland and Billy Kilson are the primary rhythm makers -- the "boiler room of jazz":, as Denver's late Dick Gibson often wisely said. This rhythm section has no piano, and suffers not a whit without it. This ain't no simple "boiler room." But it powerfully undergirds each of these wonderful cuts. The latin influenced rhythms are complex and precisely played by all. But is these two who create the underlying structure that allows Eubanks to add such exceptional rhythmic accents.

Points of View has been #1 on my CD player for months now; I listen to it currently more than any of the many, varied CDs in my library. If you know this sort of music, you will love this (and probably already have it). If you are unfamiliar with the ECM sound -- a label whose recordings are consistently clear as a bell, sparsely and precisely presented, flawlessly recorded, somewhat abstract "chamber jazz" [some might say "new jazz" or "new music"] -- this is a stunner to cut your teeth on. No reservations on ,this one! May 28, 2002

Right to the Point

The Dave Holland Quintet hits the mark with "Points of View". The music in this album is a metaphor for the city - from dark and moody - to hectic and frantic - to light and energetic. The quintet is very tight with great performances all around. The combination of trombone, sax, vibraphone, drums and bass make this a unique and exciting sound alternative to other cosmopolitan jazz albums with more standard rhythm sections. The solos and ensemble playing are very progressive, with chord changes often moving at a furious pace. The conversations between instruments shows a serious understanding of the music being performed - a delight to any fellow musician.

This album is of the highest quality of musical performances. A worthy investment for the jazz fan. May 24, 2001

Dave Holland Quintet original, inspirational

I was hired to play for someone, and one of the tunes they were going to play was one of the tunes from this album, so I went out and picked it up just to see what this quintet was all about. Weel, aren't I glad that I did that! This band is so original, from the arrangements right up to the instrumentation. To have vibes as the only chordal instrument sounds absolutely wonderful. Sax-Trombone-Vibes-Bass-Drums is not something that you see everyday. Ever tune on this album says something new and different, something that can't be said for a lot of other musician. Definately a must-have. August 11, 2000

A fine jazz album but it is not "Extensions"

This is an exciting Jazz album and a refreshing alternative to the neo-conservative retro-bop fare that is out there today. However, it does not rate five stars because Holland's "Extensions" goes it one star better. Buy it and enjoy. I did! August 30, 1999

From My Point of View - 'Spot On'

Having taken a gamble in purchasing this cd, my first by Dave Holland, I found the experience thoroughly enjoyable. My type of jazz. If, according to the previous review, the prior release is better then I'll certainly be tempted to delve deeper. Dynamic, tight, ..... and refreshing after purchasing other recently released, and frankly ... uninspired jazz. Cheers! March 31, 1999

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