CD review: Lionel Loueke & Dave Holland – United – 2024: Video, CD cover

Two musical giants, guitarist Lionel Loueke and bassist Dave Holland, unite their individual talents into one harmonious recording, igniting creativity, honoring cultural roots, and showcasing music’s powerful role in fostering unity amidst societal division.

United is an inspiring testament to the power of collaboration, blending Loueke’s masterful guitar work with Holland’s deep, resonant bass. Both musicians have profoundly impacted the global jazz scene—Loueke, known for his innovative fusion of West African traditions with modern jazz, has played with a who’s who of virtuosic and celebrated artists, most notably serving as Herbie Hancock’s guitarist for over 15 years, and collaborating with legends like Wayne Shorter, Sting, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Miller, and Esperanza Spalding.

Holland, one of the most influential bassists and composers in jazz, has shaped contemporary jazz since the late 1960s, performing with icons like Miles Davis, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Sam Rivers, and Jack DeJohnette. Though Loueke and Holland have worked together many times in various groups, this album marks their first collaboration as a duo. The result is nothing short of extraordinary.

Benin-born guitarist Lionel Loueke and British bassist Dave Holland continue to hone their craft with distinction on United, a duo project that celebrates the beauty of their musical rapport and the dream of a unified world.

The idea for this brew of modern jazz and West African folk emerged after a soundcheck when they were improvising together, resulting in 10 original compositions by Loueke and a fresh rendition of Wayne Shorter’s “United”, which gives the album its title.

The album opens with “Essaouira”, a piece in six where Loueke uses his voice as an extra percussive layer on top of the pulsing guitar texture. “Yaoundé” pays tribute to another African city through an exuberant rhythm and radiant tonal colors. “Chant”, a balladic excursion in 3/4, showcases the duo’s generous musical share, while the immutable “Celebration” bursts with joy, driven by Loueke’s rhythmic staccatos and voice and Holland’s deeply grooving bass lines. Each piece demonstrates the clarity and conviction of their individual perspectives and the improvisations confirm strong points of view.

Unfolding in nine, “Tranxit” brings together the throbbing pulse of Afro-funk and the smoothness of bossa nova, with Loueke’s guitar taking on a high-pitched effect at the forefront. Funk also permeates “Hideland”, where the duo explores variations in pace and feel, with Holland boasting his full-bodied sound, wooing with groovy freedom. “Humanism”, sung in French, reveals exceptional harmonic richness and innate lyricism, creating an alluring fusion of their distinctive sounds.

The duo’s love of odd meter shines on “Strangers in a Mirror”, set in a delicate 13-beat cycle, before concluding with Shorter’s “United”, a wordless 3/4 tune with a refined swing and warmly atmospheric improvisations. With its exotic charm, seamless cohesion, and vibrant musical dialogue, United offers an honest and heartfelt experience, sure to resonate with world jazz enthusiasts.

Lionel Loueke and Dave Holland have teamed up to deliver a beautiful collaborative album, United. Released on November 8, 2024, this project captures the musical partnership in a soulful dialogue between two masters from different traditions—Loueke, whose guitar craft and vocal textures are steeped in West African heritage, and Holland, whose deep, resonant bass lines have defined modern jazz for decades. Together, they merge their voices into something remarkably unique, offering listeners an adventurous experience.

The origin story of United is as spontaneous as the music itself. Born out of an impromptu improvisation during a soundcheck, the album reflects the intuitive connection between Loueke and Holland. Holland recalls, “It was one of those rare moments where everything clicked. Lionel and I were improvising, and suddenly it wasn’t just sound—it was something bigger. I turned to him and said, ‘We have to do this.’” This initial spark has blossomed into a rich, 11-track collection that captures the essence of collaboration and the joy of musical discovery.

The album opens with “Essaouira,” a pulsating piece of African accents where Loueke layers his voice as an extra percussive texture above his guitar, creating a rhythmic, hypnotic groove. Holland’s woody bass fills the space and precisely supports Loueke’s rhythmic interplay. The following track, “Pure Thought,” is a gentle melody featuring Loueke’s expressive vocal range. The introspective nature of the music pulls a modern folk jazz perspective. The intricate exchange between the two, with each musician giving the other space to breathe and shine, shows the mutual respect at the heart of the duo’s musical conversation.

“Yaoundé,” a tribute to the vibrant African city, bursts with exuberant rhythms and radiant tonal colors, showcasing Loueke’s ability to fuse traditional West African guitar phrasing with modern harmonic concepts. Here, Holland’s bass moves with a buoyancy that adds a playful dimension to the track, demonstrating his profound versatility and comfort within different musical traditions.

The album continues with “Chant,” a contemplative developing ballad that offers a softer contrast to the preceding tracks. Here, the beauty of their partnership truly comes to light: Loueke’s subtle vocalizations float atop Holland’s melodic bass lines, blurring the line between soloist and accompanist. The mood shifts again with “Celebration,” a vibrant piece full of rhythmic staccato guitar phrases, joyous vocal interjections from Loueke, and Holland’s deeply grooving bass. It’s an irresistible affirmation of life, embodying the shared joy these two find in their music.

One of the standout compositions is “Tranxit,” which combines Afro-funk with the gentler smoothness of contemporary jazz, unfolding within an engaging nine-beat cycle. Loueke’s guitar and vocals build a storied quality to the many layers he creates, while Holland’s bass anchors the rhythmic experimentation. The track “Hideland” leans into funk influences, offering groovy double stops and expressive vocals, with a full-bodied bass leading the way through rhythmic explorations. Throughout, Loueke adds percussive drive with his deft guitar work and vocal parts.

“Humanism,” sung in French, reveals the duo’s harmonic richness and their world music influences. The lyricism of the melody and improvisations draw listeners into a meditative space where Holland’s bass resonates with Latin components that complement Loueke’s West African and jazz nuances. The duo’s love of odd meter takes the forefront in “Strangers in a Mirror,” Here, the music feels festive and conveys a deep sense of groove.

The album concludes with a heartfelt rendition of Wayne Shorter’s “United.” Stripped of lyrics, the piece takes on a new life in Loueke and Holland’s hands. Their interplay highlights the beauty of the original melody while adding their own improvisational and style touches. It’s a fitting end to an album that’s as much about the power of listening as it is about playing—a statement that resonates deeply in today’s fragmented world.

United is Loueke and Holland honoring their individual musical histories while celebrating the possibilities of collective creation. Loueke describes the project as, “A shared space where love, struggle, and hope intersect.” It’s this shared space that defines the album’s emotional core. From the rhythmic intensity of “Celebration” to the introspective beauty of “Humanism,” every track underscores the duo’s commitment to connection—to each other and to their listeners.

United is a musical beacon of what can be achieved through collaboration and shared humanity. It’s an album that calls us to listen more closely, to appreciate the beauty of unity in diversity, and to find common ground in creativity. Loueke and Holland’s partnership is about finding a sense of belonging and connection that transcends borders, languages, and genres.

1. Essaouira (5:04)
2. Pure Thought (6:51)
3. Tranxit (5:40)
4. Chant (6:24)
5. Celebration (5:43)
6. Stranger In A Mirror (8:29)
7. Yaoundé (5:31)
8. Life Goes On (5:02)
9. Hideland (6:34)
10. Humanism (4:34)
11. United (5:24)

Lionel Loueke – Guitar & Vocals
Dave Holland – Acoustic Bass