Record Reviews

DAVE HOLLAND ~ SEEDS OF TIME ECM 1292 (Barcode: 602567430797) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of an album by iconic British bassist / composer / bandleader Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and three American musicians: saxophonist Steve ColemanFind albums by this artist, trombonist Julian PriesterFind albums by this artist and drummer Marvin SmithFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, two of which are composed by Holland, one co-composed with Smith, two by Coleman, one by Wheeler, one by Priester and finally two are by American (resident in Austria) drummer / composer Doug HammondFind albums by this artist. This is the 5th album (out of fourteen) Holland released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, before he established his own record label Dare2Find albums on this label. The album was recorded at the legendary Tonstudio Bauer and offers a spectacular sound quality. The music is absolutely spectacular, and is definitely one of Holland’s best recorded achievements, proposing a series of composed, melody based pieces, performed with a lot of space of freedom, bordering on but never quite going into Free Jazz. The quintet offers a rich sound, often sounding larger than usual quintet sound, due to the fact that the three brass players solo in tandem. Of course Holland’s brilliant bass work is a prominent feature throughout the whole proceedings. Overall, this is a brilliant album, which deserves an honorable place in every decent Jazz records collection, and a great document of Holland’s great contribution to the genre. Although recorded four decades ago, it still sounds absolutely fresh and invigorating. A gem!

Updated: 11/10/2025Posted: 11/10/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend