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Album Review
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AllThingsJazz-New York, Album Review >>
Although he established a Hall of Fame career years
ago, Dave Holland continues to grow as a musician,
exploring new territories like a restless sojourner. The
latest example of this is Hands, a collaboration with
legendary Spanish flamenco guitarist Pepe
Habichuela. Holland spent time in Spain and
immersed himself in flamenco culture, learning to
adapt the acoustic bass to the flamenco idiom. In doing
so he has helped to create a memorable recording.
Immediately, on the title cut, Habichuela
establishes the style that’s made him an icon. He can
skillfully explore the lower range of his guitar with no
loss of power, as he does on “El Ritmo Me Lleva”; or
balance fierceness and tenderness as he does on “My
Friend Dave”, a heartfelt solo tribute to Holland. His
trademark strumming and soft lyrical lines are driven
by Holland’s underpinnings and the supporting band,
including Habichuela’s brother Carlos Carmona and
son Josemi Carmona on guitars (Carmona is the actual
family name; Habichuela is a stage name that means
“bean”), with brother Juan Carmona and Israel Porrina
(Piraña) on cajón and percussion.
Holland plays with a creativity and lyricism
unmatched by most bassists. Listen to how perfectly
his plucked bass sings the dolorous “Camaron”. And
Holland’s fantastic flamenco/jazz opening statement
on “Bailaor” evinces that he has embraced the Gypsy
in his soul. Holland contributes a couple of originals,
which, although not written for flamenco, aren’t
forced. “The Whirling Dervish” features Josemi at the
lead; the younger Carmona plays with less strumming
than his father but his fingers are no less ablaze.
Holland’s stellar performance on “Joyride” lights a
path for the Carmona family to follow and the result is
five minutes of brilliance. Similarly, the dance floor
beckons with the energetic “Subi La Cuesta” and
“Puente Quebrao”, a pair of stringed and percussive
fiestas that dare the listener to sit still. 01/01/11
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