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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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