Aziza (album)
| Aziza | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 14, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | September 7–8, 2015 | |||
| Studio | Sear Sound, NYC | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 1:08:29 | |||
| Label | Dare2 Records | |||
| Producer | Dave Holland | |||
| Dave Holland chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Guardian |   [1] |
| All About Jazz |  [2] |
| The Irish Times | [3] |
| The Australian | [4] |
| Winnipeg Free Press | [5] |
Aziza is a studio album by English jazz bassist Dave Holland together with saxophonist Chris Potter, guitarist Lionel Loueke, and drummer Eric Harland.[6] The album was released on October 14, 2016 via Holland's own Dare2 Records label.[7]
Background
Dave Holland explained that the name Aziza has come from one of their songs, “Aziza Dance,” written by Lionel Loueke. In Loueke's birthplace of Benin, Aziza means a supernatural race of forest dwellers giving practical and spiritual advice.[8] The album features eight original compositions—two from each band member.[9]
Reception
Cormak Larkin of The Irish Times noted, "...there’s no doubting who is the elder statesman here, nor whose spirit is guiding proceedings. Dave Holland has been taking music in new and interesting directions since the late 1960s. And though each member of Aziza contributes a couple of tunes and brings their own unique character to the mix, most audible in this new group’s taut, funky, expansive sound are echoes of former Holland projects such as his Extensions quartet, and even the distant rumble of the great Gateway Trio".[10]
John McBeath of The Australian wrote, "This quartet is comprised of four stellar US musicians, all bandleaders, and each at the very top of their abilities, working beautifully together....These four names will probably be sufficient to invite a listening for jazz fans where the spectrum of emotion and diversity of approach is bound to secure interest."[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Aziza Dance" | Lionel Loueke | 9:14 |
| 2. | "Summer 15" | Chris Potter | 9:42 |
| 3. | "Walkin' the Walk" | Dave Holland | 8:38 |
| 4. | "Aquila" | Eric Harland | 6:55 |
| 5. | "Blue Sufi" | Chris Potter | 13:35 |
| 6. | "Finding the Light" | Dave Holland | 7:00 |
| 7. | "Friends" | Eric Harland | 6:07 |
| 8. | "Sleepless Nights" | Lionel Loueke | 7:21 |
| Total length: | 1:08:29 | ||
Personnel
Band
- Chris Potter – tenor & soprano saxophone
- Lionel Loueke – guitar & vocals
- Dave Holland – bass, producer
- Eric Harland – drums
Production
- Louise Holland – executive producer
- James Farber – engineer
- Owen Mulholland – engineer
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Scott Fallone – mastering
- Govert Driessen – photography
- Ulli Gruber – photography
- Susan Archie – art direction, design
- Rafael Gonzalez – artwork
References
- ^ Fordham, John (13 October 2016). "Holland/Potter/Loueke/Harland: Aziza CD review – ace new jazz quartet with global influences". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- ^ Bilawsky, Dan (October 19, 2016). "Aziza: Aziza". All About Jazz. allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Larkin, Cormac (20 October 2016). "Aziza album review: Dave Holland, god of inspiration". The Irish Times. irishtimes.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ McBeath, John (20 October 2016). "Reviewed: Moussa Diakite; Conway & Zygier; Aziza; Tkay Maidza; Kieran". The Australian. theaustralian.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Black, Keith (12 October 2016). "New music: Reviews of this week's CD releases". Winnipeg Free Press. winnipegfreepress.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Aziza – Aziza". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Aziza featuring Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland + Elliot Galvin – Sold Out". efglondonjazzfestival.org. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Spaz Schnee, Stephen (September 29, 2016). "Aziza: An Exclusive Q&A with Jazz legend Dave Holland!". discussionsmagazine.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Hum, Peter (October 17, 2016). "Aziza CD reviewed". Ottawa Citizen. ottawacitizen.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Larkin, Cormac (20 October 2016). "Aziza album review: Dave Holland, god of inspiration". The Irish Times. irishtimes.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ McBeath, John (20 October 2016). "Reviewed: Moussa Diakite; Conway & Zygier; Aziza; Tkay Maidza; Kieran". The Australian. theaustralian.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.