Hands

 (9 customer reviews)

Flamenco has improvisation within its complex 12-beat, 4-beat, and free gypsy and Andalusian forms, which have allowed some jazz explorations and the creation of flamenco nuevo. This recording brings together jazz bassist Dave Holland with guitarist Pepe Habichuela of the Carmona clan of Granada supported by other Carmona kin and Israel Porrina on guitar, cajón and other percussion, and palmas. In his early debut album, A Mandeli, Habichuela (a nickname = beans) showed his interest in jazz elements. Now, that feeling has matured in this excellent album. Although eight of the tracks are strictly flamenco forms, albeit modern, two [The Whirling Dervish and Joyride] are jazz compositions of Holland, the first recalling compositions of John Kaizan Neptune (e.g., Can You Feel the Beat). Throughout, the bass as melody instrument is established, and we hear a perfect fusion of traditional flamenco and modern jazz. Beautifully recorded and brilliantly performed, the lively, sensual,...Read more

Fans of Dave Holland world music offerings will not be disappointed. Those looking for a bit of flamenco guitar accompanied by the world's greatest jazz bass player won't be disappointed either. The tracks includes great percussion playing, but mainly this is Pepe and Dave's show. Nothing wrong with any second on this release.

I'm a big Dave Holland fan, so I was intrigued by this album - but nothing he has done before, prepared me for this one!

What struck me initially was how beautiful the sound is - the recording quality is superb and the music leapt out of my speakers as if the players were there sitting in the room!

I think the all-acoustic nature of the ensemble helps to give a balanced and detailed sound that is alive and 3-dimensional. The sound of the instruments comes from everywhere, rather than a small box in the corner.

Dave Holland's bass blends perfectly with the guitars and percussion to give a warmth to the flamenco sound that can often be lacking and then leaps out for wonderful bass solos that add variety and harmonic interest to the mix.

So, initially I am sitting there listening to this as a sort of Hi-Fi demonstration record as the sounds are so interesting - it is so refreshing when we are assaulted daily with electronic, manufactured music...Read more