Dave Holland / Pepe Habichuela: Hands

1 Hands [Fandango de Huelva] - 5:58 2 Subi la Cuesta [Tangos] - 5:00 3 Camaron [Taranta] - 5:42 4 The Whirling Dervish - 7:32 5 Yesqueros [Media Granaina] - 3:22 6 El Ritmo Me Lleva [Rumba] - 5:52 7 Bailaor [Seguiriya Cabal] - 9:01 8 Joyride - 5:30 9 Puente Quebrao [Buleria] - 5:37 10 My Friend Dave [Solea] - 3:03

Dave Holland is best known as one of the great jazz bassists of his generation. Pepe Habichuela is an awe-inspiring flamenco guitarist. The two of them together, with Josemi and Carlos Carmona on additional guitars as well as a pair of percussionists, prove to be a wonderful combination. Holland brings his own experience to flamenco, subsuming himself in the genre, his bass imitating a voice on the glorious "Camaron," and giving free rein to the percussionists on "Joyride." It's Habichuela's magical fingers that mesmerize, covering the scales as adroitly as any pianist and bringing a rich fullness and a stunning imagination to the sound. But what's really at work here is a group consciousness, an exploration of flamenco, and the listener shares Holland's journey. There's nothing here that's diluted -- this is hardcore flamenco, very much the real thing -- and the hard realism is one of the great pleasures. Even though it can be overwhelming at times, that's in a good way. ~ Chris Nickson, Rovi

Price: $19.98