Between 1983 and 1987, Dave Holland recorded three albums with his quintet – Jumpin’ In, Seeds of Time and The Razor’s Edge – that seemed to build on the ethos of Holland’s classic Conference of the Birds from 1972 (named after the masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet Farid ud-Din Attar), and move it into another space. The quintet personnel on the 1980s trilogy remained pretty consistent, with just two changes, and the albums maintained an exceptional level of excellence. Seeds of Time is a perfect example, with Smith in for Steve Ellington, who left after the first album (and on The Razor’s Edge Robin Eubanks would come in for Priester on trombone). A key element in these albums’ success was the rhythmic buoyancy they achieved in general, and the exceptional contributions of Kenny Wheeler and Steve Coleman in particular. Seeds of Time is a must-have album; the only problem is that it’s so compelling you’ll find yourself searching out the other two albums as well.