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Although Holland's double bass has anchored just about every musical formation known to man, from overabundant jazz orchestras to antagonist duets, his own groups are purposely unconventional. Or at least they don't make that much sense on paper. Mixing Robin Eubanks' funky 'n boisterous trombone with Chris Potter's mellow and cognizant alto sax lines is already a stretch. Paired with vibist Steve Nelson's impressionistic mallet work, there's a real clash of contrasting forces here, especially with drummer Billy Kilson's nimble stickwork ready to rocket this into hyper-drive.
Enter Mr. Holland's glue- his proud, reverberating tone managing to ease any sonic lulls and command the music's diverse character. Which is at the heart of the quintet's third disc, actually striving for musical contraries and polarities, as if the group was pushing its unique sound to extremes. Not that they don't swing, hitting a bebop cool for Kilson's "Billows Of Rhythm," or strike the occasional groove, like centerpiece fusion burn of Holland's "What Goes Around." But the Latin foundation for Chris Potter's "Lost And Found" is filled with all kinds of tricky, unsuspecting turnarounds while Eubank's leadoff "Global Citizen" shifts tempos and substance throughout its 11-minute flight.

Whatever size, whatever form, Holland always seems to provide an unsuspected delight.