Overtime

1	Bring It On 11:58
2	Free for All / Dave Holland Quintet 17:37
3	A Time Remembered 11:45
4	Happy Jammy 9:36
5	Ario 11:08
6	Mental Images 9:22
7	Last Minute Man 7:13

Barnes & Noble

Sometimes a title tells it all, and Overtime, Dave Holland's second recording with a 13-piece big band, resonates on several levels. For one thing, the music has evolved over time: In constructing the program -- a four-part Holland suite, two other Holland originals, and a composition by trombonist Robin Eubanks, a Holland associate since the early ‘80s -- the 57-year-old bassist draws on four decades of association with tonal personalities as diverse as Miles Davis, Anthony Braxton, Sam Rivers, Stan Getz, Betty Carter, the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Steve Coleman. For another thing, Holland is a master of rhythm and metric modulation, switching seamlessly between 4/4 swing, African triplet structures, and a slew of inspiriting odd-metered signatures that descend from Bali, Egypt, and M-Base. Most important, Holland knows how to operate within a time-space continuum, molding rhythmic and harmonic flow into musical narrative; to use his phrase, it's "closed-form music with an open-form sound." Interpreting the stories with impeccable craft and imagination are an ensemble of virtuosos -- among them, saxophonists Chris Potter, Antonio Hart, and Gary Smulyan; trumpeter Alex Sipiagin; vibraphonist Steve Nelson; Eubanks; and monster drummer Billy Kilson. In the tradition of Ellington and Thad Jones, Holland gives them interesting parts to play, each with its own logic and function and the feel of a melodic line; he propels them with surging bass lines and unerring harmonic logic. A triumph. Ted Panken

All Music Guide

This exceptional date by Dave Holland Big Band was recorded in 2002 in New York, yet remained unreleased until 2005. As is to be expected, Holland assembled a fine cast of seasoned and young players, some of whom are veterans of Holland's quintets and quartets. These are four saxophones -- two alto, tenor and baritone -- three trumpets and trombones, and vibes as well as bass and drums. They include Chris Potter and Robin and Duane Eubanks, Antonio Hart, Steve Nelson, Josh Roseman, Billy Kilson, Taylor Haskins, Gary Smulyan, Jonathan Arons and Alex Sipiagin. The music centers around the opening four-part "Monterey Suite," a tour de force commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival and originally performed there in 2001. Holland's writing for the trombone section is dynamite. Roseman, Arons, and Robin Eubanks offer up solid bottom rung lines and tight timing as anchors for the rest of the brass though they often charge out front. Potter once more displays his talents as not only a fine soloist but as an excellent ensemble player, carrying the chair with authority and verve. The beautiful "Ario" hosts some really knotty and swelling harmonic interludes and the closer, "Last Minute Man," is electrifying, transcending the confines of the studio. This is an essential Holland date, it is exciting, colorful and wildly innovative. Let's hope he composes and records more in this idiom soon. Thom Jurek