Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones

Released in 2001 on Nonesuch, this self-titled collaboration represents a fascinating, if polarizing, intersection of jazz history. It pairs Bill Frisell, the primary architect of 'Jazz Americana,' with two of the most influential rhythm players in the genre's history: Dave Holland and Elvin Jones. Recorded with a minimalist aesthetic, the album eschews the lush reverb often associated with Frisell's work for a drier, more intimate sonic profile. The repertoire is a mix of Frisell originals (some re-imagined from earlier projects like 'Blues Dream') and traditional covers like 'Moon River' and 'Hard Times.' While the pedigree of the trio suggested a high-energy summit, the result is famously restrained. Critics at the time, including those from AllMusic and The Penguin Guide to Jazz, noted a 'sketchy' or 'hesitant' quality to the performances, suggesting that the players were perhaps too respectful of the space, leading to a record that prioritizes mood over momentum. It remains a unique, quiet outlier in all three men's discographies.