Dave Holland Quintet - Prime Directive

The proceeding is to suggest that while the jazz world is indeed grateful for Holland's continued prominence and regular recording activity, somehow his most recent affairs just don't seem to have the same freshness and titillation as we seemed to find in such gems as Seeds of Time, The Razor's Edge, and Extensions. Of his most recent ECM dates, Prime Directive is certainly the strongest of the lot, but it too can suffer at times from a nagging sense of one-dimensionality. The opening title cut is indicative of Holland's modus operandi, with lots of dense collective improvisation over a bass vamp before yielding to a string of individual solos. "Looking Up" throws everything into the pot, starting with an odd-metered head that eventually settles into a waltz tempo, only to then be spelled by an up swing tempo in four.
Personnel: Dave Holland- bass; Chris Potter- soprano, alto, & tenor saxophones; Robin Eubanks- trombone; Steve Nelson- vibes & marimba; Billy Kilson- drums

Track listing:
1. Prime Directive
2. Looking Up
3. Make Believe
4. A Seeking Spirit
5. High Wire
6. Jugglers Parade
7. Candlelight Vigil
8. Wonders Never Cease
9. Down Time