Critical Mass | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet | ||||
Released | August 29, 2006 | |||
Recorded | December 2005 | |||
Studio | Avatar, New York City | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 1:12:50 | |||
Label | Dare2/Sunnyside | |||
Producer | Dave Holland | |||
The Dave Holland Quintet chronology | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
All About Jazz | [2] |
The Guardian | [3] |
The Inlander | [4] |
Jazzwise | [5] |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [6] |
PopMatters | 8/10 [7] |
Tom Hull | B+ [8] |
Critical Mass is a studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet released in 2006 through Dare2, his second release for his own label. This is Holland's first recording to feature drummer Nate Smith; saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks and vibraphonist Steve Nelson all return from previous Holland projects.
Steve Greenlee of JazzTimes stated "It’s been five years since Dave Holland’s quintet released an album of new material. The bassist hasn’t exactly been relaxing in the meantime; he put out two albums of big-band music and toured extensively, and released a stellar double-live CD by his quintet. And all the while, the least grateful among us have been hankering for some new music from Holland’s quintet. Well, here it is, and it holds its own against Prime Directive, the group’s most impressive release... The groupthink mentality manifests itself most obviously on the New Orleans tribute “Easy Did It,” for which Holland and Smith create a slithering, swelling rhythm that culminates in a five-way roundtable of near-chaos. Critical Mass will be on everyone’s list of 2006’s best." [9] John Kelman of All About Jazz wrote, "Proof that it's possible to retain one's identity while breaking new ground, Critical Mass continues a streak of winning records for Holland that shows no sign of letting up." [2] John Fordham of The Guardian added, " It's unflinching contemporary instrumental jazz, but as subtly melodic as Holland's bands always are." [3]
All tracks are written by Dave Holland except as noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Eyes Have It" | 7:00 | |
2. | "Easy Did It" | 11:16 | |
3. | "Vicissitudes" | Chris Potter | 9:56 |
4. | "The Leak" | Nate Smith | 5:42 |
5. | "Secret Garden" | 8:42 | |
6. | "Lucky Seven" | 8:35 | |
7. | "Full Circle" | Robin Eubanks | 12:11 |
8. | "Amator Silenti" | Steve Nelson | 9:17 |
Total length: | 1:12:50 |
David Holland is an English double bassist, bass guitarist, cellist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States since the early 1970s.
Chris Potter is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
The Razor's Edge is a studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet, recorded in February 1987 and released on ECM later that year—the third and final release by the quintet, featuring alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, trombonist Robin Eubanks and drummer ”Smitty” Smith.
Extended Play: Live at Birdland is a live double-album by the Dave Holland Quintet recorded at the Birdland jazz club over four days in November 2001 and released by ECM in 2003.
Scott Colley is an American jazz double bassist and composer. As of 2024, he has been nominated for 4 Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Guided Tour in 2014 and Still Dreaming in 2019. Throughout his career, he has toured, recorded, and played with musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Carmen McRae, Chris Potter, Julian Lage, Brian Blade, and Pat Metheny.
What Goes Around is the debut album by the Dave Holland Big Band recorded in January 2001 and released on ECM the following year. The ensemble—thirteen strong—features saxophonists Antonio Hart, Mark Gross, Chris Potter and Gary Smulyan, trombonists Robin Eubanks, Andre Hayward and Josh Roseman, trumpeters Earl Gardner, Alex Sipiagin and Duane Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Billy Kilson.
Dream of the Elders is a studio album by the British jazz bassist Dave Holland and his quartet, featuring saxophonist Eric Person, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Gene Jackson.
Triplicate is a studio album by the Dave Holland Trio, recorded in March 1988 and released on ECM later that year. The trio features alto saxophonist Steve Coleman and drummer Jack DeJohnette.
Extensions is an album by the Dave Holland Quartet, recorded in September 1989 and released on ECM the following year—Holland's eight album for the label. The quartet features Holland Quintet saxophonist Steve Coleman and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith alongside guitarist Kevin Eubanks, in his first appearance on a Holland record.
Not for Nothin' is the third studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet, recorded over three days in September 2000 and released on ECM August the following year—Holland's thirteenth release for the label. The quintet features saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Billy Kilson, their third album together as a quintet.
Streams of Expression is the 20th studio album by American jazz musician Joe Lovano to be released on the Blue Note label. It was released in 2006 and features a five-part "Streams of Expression Suite," three-part "Birth of the Cool Suite," and three other shorter works. The "Birth of the Cool Suite" was conducted by Gunther Schuller and utilizes melodic themes inspired by Miles Davis' work from his 1948 and 1950 nonet. The album also features George Garzone, Ralph Lalama, Gary Smulyan, and Tim Hagans.
Points of View is a studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet recorded over two days in September 1997 and released on ECM April the following year. The quintet features saxophonist Steve Wilson, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, and drummer Billy Kilson.
Prime Directive is an album by the Dave Holland Quintet recorded over three days in December 1998 and released on ECM October the following year. The quintet features saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, and drummer Billy Kilson.
Overtime is an album by the Dave Holland Big Band that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 2005. Recorded in 2002, the music centers on the four-movement "Monterey Suite", a piece commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival. The big band on this record is on the “small” side, at thirteen players. The rhythm section consists of Holland with vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Billy Kilson, continuing the format established over many of Holland’s Quintet records. Featured players include tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, alto saxophonist Antonio Hart, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and trombonist Robin Eubanks. This is Holland's first album since departing ECM, through which he had released nearly all of his albums since his 1972 debut Conference of the Birds, for his own Dare2 label.
Pass It On is a 2008 album by the Dave Holland Sextet. Long-standing Holland trombonist Robin Eubanks returns, joined by alto saxophonist Antonio Hart and trumpeter Alex Sipiagin from the Holland Big Band. Rounding out the group are the all-star rhythm section of pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Eric Harland.
Pathways is a live album by the Dave Holland Octet. The album was recorded live at New York City’s Birdland jazz club. The record was released on March 23, 2010 via Dare2 label.
Prism is a studio album by English jazz bassist Dave Holland. The record was released via the Dare2 label on September 2, 2013. This album is a milestone of Dave Holland's career as a leader—the forty year anniversary of his debut, the album Conference of the Birds released in 1973. Prism contains nine original compositions written by bandmembers.
Imaginary Cities is a studio album by the Chris Potter Underground Orchestra recorded in December 2013 and released on ECM in January 2015, Potter's second album for the label. The ensembles features the return of his "Underground Quartet"—consisting rhythm section Craig Taborn, Adam Rogers, and Nate Smith—alongside vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Scott Colley, bass guitarist Fima Ephron, and a string quartet.
Underground is the tenth studio album by jazz saxophonist Chris Potter released on the Sunnyside label in 2006. It features guitarist Wayne Krantz, keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Nate Smith.
Ira Nathaniel Smith, generally referred to as Nate Smith, is an American drummer, songwriter, producer, and three-time Grammy nominee.