By Jim Macnie | Published January 2026
Jazz duets often nod to the delicate side of things by leaning towards the reflective or sentimental, but with the volume cranked this fetching record’s “Mine Are Blues” conjures the hard-swinging kick of, oh, say, Bird At The Roost. Punch, bounce, concision — it all adds up to lots of liftoff on the first duo recording by these two masters.
Guitarist Scofield and bassist Holland have long traveled in the same circles, previously uniting for Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson studio sessions as well as 2003’s mighty ScoLoHoFo foursome. Memories Of Home blossomed from a handful of post-COVID duo gigs. Its chemistry is compelling, and its oomph is obvious.
Such vitality also defines “You I Love,” a Holland contrafact on Cole Porter’s “I Love You” that swells with the guitarist’s elastic lines and cagey harmonies. Like “Mine Are Blues,” it highlights the bassist at his most propulsive. In this stripped-down setting (splendidly recorded to reveal the music’s granular beauty) it’s a tad easier to hear how Holland’s touch and intonation blend to boost his thrust. No one’s missing a drummer on this date.
Along the way the guys tap the brakes to shape a more varied program. Medium-tempo misteriosos such as Sco’s “Meant To Be” and blues-centric ditties like “Mr. B” milk their grooves and examine calmer waters. Guitar-wise, the bassist has duetted with Derek Bailey, Pepe Habichuela and Lionel Loueke. But there’s a rare ease at play here that lets Sco crack off clipped phrases or blow legato lines with equal aplomb: intricate yet fluid. By the time Holland’s twang-slanted “Memories Of Home” rolls along, their camaraderie is ultra palpable.
