2002 · Album
What Goes Around
Recorded January 2001 · ECM · Produced by Not specified in provided sources
A Big Band Takes Shape
A solid beginning rather than a sparkling one, but it has many tantalising avenues that cry out to be developed further.
When Dave Holland's big band debut landed in 2002, it arrived without fanfare—not a landmark moment that stopped critics in their tracks, but rather something that accumulated respect over time. BBC's John Eyles recognized its potential immediately, placing What Goes Around (2002) alongside Holland's earlier ECM milestones like Conference of the Birds and Points of View, yet he was honest about what it was: a solid foundation rather than a flash of brilliance. That restraint turned out to be part of its strength. The album documents Holland testing what a thirteen-piece ensemble could do in his hands—saxophonists Antonio Hart, Mark Gross, Chris Potter, and Gary Smulyan weaving around trombonists Robin Eubanks, Andre Hayward, and Josh Roseman, while trumpeters Earl Gardner, Alex Sipiagin, and Duane Eubanks anchor the brass. Steve Nelson on vibraphone and Billy Kilson on drums provide the rhythmic spine. This is Holland's first real conversation with orchestral space, and you can hear him learning the language as he goes—the arrangements don't overwhelm, they listen. It's the work of a bandleader thinking out loud, sketching possibilities. Holland himself signaled the stakes: something had been set in motion, and the next decade would belong to this band. That prophecy matters more in hindsight than it did on arrival.
Who's playing
Dave Hollanddouble bass
Mark Grossalto saxophone
Chris Pottertenor saxophone
Gary Smulyanbaritone saxophone
Robin Eubankstrombone
Andre Haywardtrombone
Josh Rosemantrombone
Billy Kilsondrums
Steve Nelsonvibraphone
Duane Eubanksbrass
Earl Gardnerbrass
Antonio Hartwoodwind
Alex Sipiaginbrass
Where next?
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
