Dave Holland & Steve Coleman (Duo) "Ah-Leu-Cha"

"Real swing" (By Bill Shoemaker)
Alto saxophonist Steve Coleman and bassist Dave Holland worked regularly throughout the 1980s and into the '90s, mainly in Holland's quintet and trio, where Coleman's sleek sense of line and unforced attack was a fine complement to Holland's lustrous tone and propulsiveness. This blend is the centerpiece of Phase Space, an early '91 duo program, recorded just weeks after Holland participated in Coleman's Black Science sessions.
The program is wide-ranging: four Coleman compositions; two by Holland; and three standards-Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha," Mal Waldron's "Straight Ahead," and Bunky Green's "Little Girl I'll Miss You." Coleman's contributions alone are impressively varied, each one incorporating fundamentals of blues, swing, and lyricism into supple, yet quirky structures. Yet, add in Holland's distinctive pieces (longtime fans will dig this version of "See Saw," which first appeared on Conference of the Birds), and the duo's expansive takes on the Parker and Green tunes (the Waldron receives a reading apropos to its title), and the result is a very eclectic program.
Yet, the lasting impression of Phase Space is based on Coleman and Holland's effortless sense of drive, which seems always to be approaching a simmer, and the facility with which they trade lead and support roles, which often entails pungent exchanges during their transits through an amorphic middle ground. It is the compatibility of their voices that provides an unwavering focus to the music, making Phase Space a very satisfying album.
Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn NY, January 1991
Solo, and in collaboration, Holland became a dominant voice in the 1970s partnering with Rivers, and working with folk and rock musicians such as Bonnie Raitt and John Hartford, and even had a passing encounter with Jimi Hendrix. He formed his first working quintet in 1983, and released Jumpin In, and continued to develop other varied and fruitful relationships with artists such as Anthony Braxton, Stan Getz, Cassandra Wilson, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Betty Carter, Pat Metheny, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Frisell, Roy Haynes and Herbie Hancock over the course of his career.

[@WilliamBraswell-uy1po]

Steve ; I hope you do more duets either with whomever the bass player is. This is raw jazz !!! Jam, man & continued success. The style is happening & I'm telling as many people that will listen about you. Maintain !

[@christophegaudissart6551]

quel duo incroyable quel maitrise harmonique et de l espace temps 🤣🤣🤣 juste la classe

[@ahambrahmasmi108]

Steve Coleman is one of my favorite improvisers of all time...and gets such a nice alto sound..

[@J410music]

I have had the fortune of hearing Steve at 75th & Eberhart.

[@jazzeducator]

This is among my favorite recordings of all time. I actually transcribed Steve's solo on this years ago and I may have learned as much from that as anything I have ever studied. My other favorite recording of these two is called Triplicate and Jack D is added....amazing recording.

[@effsixteenblock50]

One of my first visits to a record store in Tokyo, and this CD jumps out at me! Absolutely love it!

[@WilliamBraswell-uy1po]

I had a similar experience in Italy. I got the cd [ & sadly, I forget the title,...the one where "death to drug dealers" is written on the wall behind him on the cover ] & that was the beginning of my listening to the great style & sound of Steve Coleman & I can't think of anything else better than an iced double shot of Macallen to have made my day. That was over 25 years ago.

[@satosheeee6557]

This album was recorded by a Japanese jazz label 'D.I.W'. Likewise Dan Heck's comment, I like this album as well as ECM's 'Triplicate', too.

[@jiyujizai]

😀💙🌱

[@videolover61]

I put Blooklyn NY in Mapquest, and it said it didn't exist. It was nowhere...just like this music...

[@andy_travis]

Wow bro what the actual ____?

[@bretttaylor8055]

Videolover61 you do not exist!!

[@zangsax]

A troll that doesnt know shit