Is Not for Nothin' a good place to start with Dave Holland?

Yes, Not for Nothin' is recommended as a starting point for new Dave Holland listeners. A vibrant fusion of intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, showcasing Holland's mastery of jazz improvisation and ensemble interplay. Released in 2001, Not for Nothin' marked Dave Holland's return to the studio after a successful stint with the Dave Holland Quintet. This album followed his critically acclaimed work with the group and showcased his ability to blend diverse influences while pushing the boundaries of modern jazz. At this point, Holland was solidifying his legacy as one of the leading figures in contemporary jazz.

Who is Not for Nothin' for?

Not for Nothin' works well if you're into gradual build to late climax, intricate rhythms for attentive listeners and evening reflection with friends.

How many songs are on Not for Nothin'?

Not for Nothin' has 9 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Not for Nothin'

Dave Holland · 2001

72 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, showcasing Holland's mastery of jazz improvisation and ensemble interplay.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Global Citizen Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its expansive structure and rich textures, establishing themes of global interconnectedness that resonate throughout the album.
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For All You Are — This piece features lyrical interplay between instruments, highlighting Holland's ability to create an intimate atmosphere while maintaining intricate musical dialogues.
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What Goes Around — With its extended length, this track exemplifies Holland's improvisational prowess, allowing each musician to explore their creativity within a cohesive framework.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album displays intricate compositions and strong ensemble interplay, making it a notable entry in Holland's discography.

What we noticed

The final track, 'Cosmosis', serves as an extended improvisational piece that gradually builds in intensity before concluding with a soft resolution.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

gradual build to late climax
intricate rhythms for attentive listeners
evening reflection with friends
immersive journey through sound
thoughtful exploration of melodies

Maybe skip if you

seek instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases innovative compositions and tight arrangements, enhancing Holland's reputation.
Themes: global interconnectedness· intricate musical dialogues· intimate improvisation
Career context: Released in 2001, Not for Nothin' marked Dave Holland's return to the studio after a successful stint with the Dave Holland Quintet. This album followed his critically acclaimed work with the group and showcased his ability to blend diverse influences while pushing the boundaries of modern jazz. At this point, Holland was solidifying his legacy as one of the leading figures in contemporary jazz.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· John Patitucci