JACK DEJOHNNETTE | JOHN PATITUCCI | DANILO PÉREZ - Music We Are (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

At first glance it might appear that Jack DeJohnette’s Music We Are is simply a jazz piano trio recording, albeit one that has a compelling lineup since the other players include pianist Danilo Perez and bassist John Patitucci. That said, appearances can be, and in this case are certainly, deceiving. These musicians have all played together before in other contexts: DeJohnette and Patitucci have worked together on a pair of Steve Khan’s recordings, while Perez and Patitucci are members of Wayne Shorter’s quartet. The music here ranges widely. One highlight among many is the straight-ahead Latinized modern jazz of “Cobilla.” Here Patitucci’s upper-register playing on the electric bass is nothing short of startling but is balanced by the multi-layered, double-timed percussive attack by DeJohnette as Perez comps large chords inside the syncopation. The opening cut is the delightfully playful and inventive “Tango African,” on which DeJohnette and Patitucci multi-track more than one instrument -- in the former case it’s the melodica on top of drums, in the latter it’s electric bass over an upright one. Perez stretches the melodica’s simple melody, harmonically enhancing it while responding in sprightly ways to the rhythm section’s dancelike vibe. But then there’s the great improvisational flavor on this record as well: “Seventh D” is a piece DeJohnette has recorded before but here it appears in two movements. The first is a gorgeous Latin groove with Perez showcasing his contrapuntal post-bop chops taking the melody and knotting it tightly while swinging the entire way; in the second part, it’s Patitucci's chance to solo on some of the same themes articulated earlier, with double-timed comps by Perez in polyrhythmic ways as DeJohnette pushes both with his trademark-style double tom-tom attack. “Panama Viejo” is an improvisational ballad with Patitucci’s arco work articulating a melancholy melody as Perez improvises on the chord structure of the piece and DeJohnette shimmers his cymbals and hi-hat to create a timelessness and space in the proceedings. This is a solidly enjoyable yet very expansive take on the piano trio format. It was obviously a blast to record it as well. This is evidenced by the bonus DVD that includes a 20-minute documentary on the making of the album.
by Thom Jurek
Tracklist :
1    Tango African 5'29
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette
2    Earth Prayer 7'10
Composed By – Danilo Perez, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci
3    Seventh D, 1st Movement 5'34
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette
4    Seventh D, 2nd Movement 4'34
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette
5    Soulful Ballad 3'51
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette
6    Earth Speaks 5'00
Composed By – Danilo Perez, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci
7    Cobilla 6'19
Composed By – Danilo Perez
8    Panama Viejo 5'00
Composed By – Ricardo Fabrega
9    White 5'43
Composed By – Danilo Perez
10    Ode To MJQ 9'34
Composed By – Danilo Perez, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci
11    Michael 3'50
Composed By – John Patitucci
Credits :
Double Bass [Upright Bass], Electric Bass, Liner Notes – John Patitucci
Drums, Melodica, Producer, Liner Notes – Jack DeJohnette
Piano, Keyboards, Liner Notes – Danilo Perez

JOHN ABERCROMBIE, JAN HAMMER, JACK DEJOHNETTE - Timeless (1975) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist John Abercrombie's first in a long line of recordings for ECM was also his debut as a leader. Teamed up with Jan Hammer (who here plays organ, synthesizer, and piano) and drummer Jack DeJohnette, Abercrombie plays four of his originals, plus two by Hammer. These performances differ from many of the guitarist's later ECM dates in that Hammer injects a strong dose of fusion into the music, and there is plenty of spirited interplay between those two with fine support by DeJohnette. Thought-provoking and occasionally exciting music that generally defies categorization. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Lungs 12:09
Jan Hammer
2     Love Song 4:35
John Abercrombie
3     Ralph's Piano Waltz 4:56
John Abercrombie
4     Red And Orange 5:24
Jan Hammer
5     Remembering 4:32
John Abercrombie
6     Timeless 12:00
John Abercrombie
Credits :
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Organ, Synthesizer, Piano – Jan Hammer
Producer – Manfred Eicher

JOHN ABERCROMBIE / DAVE HOLLAND / JACK DeJOHNETTE - Gateway (1975) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist John Abercrombie was one of the stars of ECM in its early days. His playing on this trio set with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette is really beyond any simple categorization. Abercrombie's improvisations are sophisticated yet, because his sound is rockish and sometimes quite intense (particularly on the nearly 11-minute "Sorcery 1"), there is really no stylistic name for the music. Holland contributed four of the six originals while DeJohnette brought in the other two (one of which was co-written with Abercrombie). The interplay between the three musicians is quite impressive although listeners might find some of the music to be quite unsettling. It takes several listens for one to digest all that is going on, but it is worth the struggle. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Back – Woods Song 7:51
Composed By – Dave Holland
2 Waiting 2:10
Composed By – Dave Holland
3 May Dance 11:01
Composed By – Dave Holland
4 Unshielded Desire 4:49
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette, John Abercrombie
5 Jamala 4:47
Composed By – Dave Holland
6 Sorcery I 10:56
Composed By – Jack DeJohnette
Credits:
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Producer – Manfred Eicher

JOHN ABERCROMBIE / DAVE HOLLAND / JACK DEJOHNETTE - Gateway 2 (1977) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 

 Unlike the first Gateway album, this CD reissue puts more of an emphasis on the rockish side of guitarist John Abercrombie's style. Abercrombie (who also plays some electric mandolin) still indulges in close interplay with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette (who doubles a bit on piano) but the playing on the five group originals is generally more fiery than introspective. None of the individual selections are all that memorable but the group improvising does have plenty of surprising moments. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Opening 16:16
Written-By – Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, John Abercrombie
2    Reminiscence 4:34
Written-By – Dave Holland
3    Sing Song 6:55
Written-By – John Abercrombie
4    Nexus 7:54
Written-By – Dave Holland
5    Blue 8:15
Written-By – Jack DeJohnette
Credits:
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Piano – Jack DeJohnette
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin [Electric Mandolin] – John Abercrombie
Producer – Manfred Eicher

JOHN ABERCROMBIE - Night (1984) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This surprising 1984 effort from John Abercrombie finds the guitarist in conversation with Jan Hammer, Jack DeJohnette, and Mike Brecker. The lack of a bassist on this session is not felt; the spaciousness of the music and the masterful playing of all parties involved keep the focus clearly on the melodies, both scripted and improvised. This can best be heard on the title track, a lovely, tear-wrenching ballad. On some of the more up-tempo tracks, Hammer covers the bass end with his keyboards almost like he is taking part in an organ trio. Unlike the high-velocity fusion that Hammer is best known for in his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Al DiMeola, and elsewhere, his work on Night is highly subdued. In fact, his playing is one of the most pleasant things about this record. It's nice to hear him doing something other than blaring away at a million miles a minute. He really is an excellent keyboardist, and his range is often underappreciated. However, the excellent compositions by Hammer and Abercrombie are the strongest thing about Night. One of the best is the opener, "Ethereggae," which features an incredible guitar solo over a sparse, haunting synth figure and DeJohnette's incomparable comping. When Brecker adds his pointed, searching tenor, the despair and loneliness of the music are almost too much to bear. This record is the kind of album that one would like to hear while enjoying a late-night cigarette on the roof of a Manhattan apartment. Moody, atmospheric, and beautiful. by Daniel Gioffre  
Tracklist :
1 Ethereggae 8:23
Composed By – Jan Hammer
2 Night 4:56
Composed By – John Abercrombie
3 3 East 4:27
Composed By – John Abercrombie
4 Look Around 8:55
Composed By – John Abercrombie
5 Believe You Me 7:36
Composed By – John Abercrombie
6 Four On One 6:42
Composed By – John Abercrombie
Credits :
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Keyboards – Jan Hammer
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker

GATEWAY : JOHN ABERCROMBIE, DAVE HOLLAND, JACK DEJOHNETTE - Homecoming (1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The Gateway Trio is a cooperative in the greatest sense of the word, as guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnette are all respected players, composers, and bandleaders on the jazz scene. Even though this only the third Gateway recording and the group's first in 17 years, each group member collaborates frequently with the others. As a result there is always a great sense of interplay between Abercrombie's sometimes-mellow-sometimes-distorted guitar, Holland's huge toned bass, and DeJohnette's dancing drums. All of the compositions are by the band members and are wide-ranging in scope. Highlights include the title track, which begins as a medium swinger but drifts into collective improvisation before coming back to medium swing, Modern Times, with its melody reminiscent of "Yesterdays" over a samba feel, the rockish "How's Never" and "7th D," what one might call a "free blues." This is a fine return to recording for a great group. by Greg Turner
Tracklist :
1     Homecoming 12:41
Dave Holland
2     Waltz New  8:32
John Abercrombie
3     Modern Times 7:30
Dave Holland
4     Calypso Falto 7:47
John Abercrombie
5     Short Cut 6:13
John Abercrombie
6     How's Never 7:34
Dave Holland
7     In Your Arms 5:48
Dave Holland
8     7th D 9:29
Jack DeJohnette
9     Oneness 7:53
Jack DeJohnette (piano)
Credits :
Cover, Design [Cover Design] – Barbara Wojirsch
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Producer – Manfred Eicher

GATEWAY : JOHN ABERCROMBIE, DAVE HOLLAND, JACK DEJOHNETTE - In the Moment (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The group Gateway (a trio comprised of guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette, who also plays the Korg wave-drum, a Turkish frame drum and piano) certainly covers a lot of ground. The interplay between the musicians is the main reason to acquire this set. The five group originals sound freely improvised, and they include the Indian-flavored "In the Moment," a full-scale Abercrombie guitar freakout on "Shrubberies" and some quieter moments. Intriguing and atmospheric music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    In The Moment    8:36
2    The Enhanced Forest    9:20
3    Cinuçen    6:42
4    Shrubberies    14:01
5    Soft    7:13
Credits :
Design [Cover Design] – Barbara Wojirsch
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Electronic Drums [Korg Wave-Drum], Frame Drum [Turkish Frame Drum], Piano – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Producer – Manfred Eicher

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Infinite Search (1969-1988) Jazz Best Collection 1000 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and Jack DeJohnette, this group rivaled the best fusion bands of the day. It must have been an intimidating challenge for a young Czech bassist to lead such a group on his debut album as a frontman, especially since he composed five of the six tracks. Recorded in late 1969, roughly the same time as the historic Bitches Brew, and the year before Vitous began a stint with the innovative Weather Report, this was trend-setting fusion. It's produced by Herbie Mann, for whom Vitous played on such albums as Memphis Underground and Stone Flute.by Mark Allan

Tracklist:

1. Freedom Jazz Dance 

Eddie Harris

2. Mountain In The Clouds

Miroslav Vitous

3. Epilogue

Miroslav Vitous

4. Cérecka

Miroslav Vitous

5. Infinite Search

Miroslav Vitous

6. I Will Tell Him On You

Miroslav Vitous

7. When Face Gets Pale

Miroslav Vitous

Credits

Miroslav Vitous-bass

Joe Henderson-tenor saxophone

Mahavishnu John McLaughlin-guitar

Herbie Hancock-electric piano

Jack DeJohnette-drums

Joe Chambers: drums on 3 y 4

TERJE RYPDAL / MIROSLAV VITOUS / JACK DeJOHNETTE - Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette (1979-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An otherworldly soundscape of aching beauty, this album is a must-have for aficionados of any member of this trio. Rypdal's guitar is hauntingly reverbed and distant throughout, though occasionally on "Seasons" he becomes too fond of caterwauling guitar synth. But this is truly an effort of trio fusion, with ineffable pieces like "Den Forste Sne" ("The First Snow") appearing and melting away without any tangible solos or structure. From the opening cymbal strikes of "Sunrise," this album is marked by DeJohnette's best drumming on record; his cymbal sound, pushed to the front and recorded with mikes both above and below the cymbal's bell -- "because that's how the drummer hears it" -- is nothing short of revelatory. Vitous' bass steadies Rypdal's flights of fancy, while his subtle electric piano lines float above. These elements combine most powerfully in "Believer," which builds from atmospheric shimmers of electric piano into a whorl of bass and plaintive guitar set against the dry rasp of resonating cymbals. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1 Sunrise 8:26
Written-By – Rypdal
2 Den Forste Sne 6:35
Written-By – Rypdal
3 Will 8:01
Written-By – Vitous
4 Believer 6:23
Written-By – Vitous
5 Flight 5:25
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
6 Seasons 7:22
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
Credits:
Double Bass, Electric Piano – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Organ – Terje Rypdal
Producer – Manfred Eicher

TERJE RYPDAL / MIROSLAV VITOUS / JACK DeJOHNETTE - To Be Continued (1981) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Essentially a continuation of Rypdal Vitous DeJohnette, this album somewhat lacks the atmospheric keyboards of its predecessor. It is nonetheless quite compelling, particularly in DeJohnette's propulsive drumming on the title track, and his phantasmic piano and voice on "Uncomposed Appendix." This album also features one of Rypdal's best-loved works, the gorgeously stark and stately "Topplue, Votter & Skjerf" -- Norwegian for "Hat, gloves, and scarf," an idiomatic phrase implying the onset of their long and cold winter. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1. Maya 6:17
Written-By – Rypdal
2. Mountain In The Clouds 4:57
Written-By – Vitous
3. Morning Lake 7:21
Written-By – Vitous
4. To Be Continued 9:11
Written-By – DeJohnette
5. This Morning 5:22
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
6. Topplue, Votter & Skjerf 3:47
Written-By – Rypdal
7. Uncomposed Appendix 1:50
Credits:
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums [Sonor Drums, Paiste Cymbals] – Jack DeJohnette
Electric Guitar [Electric Guitars] – Terje Rypdal
Flute – Terje Rypdal (tracks: 4)
Piano – Miroslav Vitous (tracks: 3)
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Voice – Jack DeJohnette (tracks: 7)

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Universal Syncopations (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On his first jazz date as a leader since 1992, Czechoslovakian bassist and composer Miroslav Vitous comes out of the gate with a host of heavyweights on one of the more lyrically swinging dates in modern jazz. Vitous' engaged, pulsing, and deeply woody tone is featured in the company of John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea, and Jack DeJohnette. While the crystalline sound of Manfred Eicher's ECM is everywhere here, as is the open-ended speculative jazz that the label is renowned -- and ridiculed for -- Vitous offers some startlingly beautiful twists and turns with his ensemble. Vitous, who has been through every music, from jazz-rock fusion as a founding member of Weather Report to being a classical composer, decided to revisit the skeletal remains of his very first session for the label in 1969. Produced by Herbie Mann the disc was, from a musical standpoint, a contentious, utterly brilliant marriage of ideas both old and new. Bandmembers DeJohnette and McLaughlin were present on those sides as well. Universal Syncopations is by turns a return to not the old forms, but rather to the manner of illustrating harmonic concepts in a quintet setting that allows for a maximum space between ensemble players while turning notions of swing, counterpoint, and rhythmic invention on their heads. From the wooly, expressionistic "Tramp Blues," with Vitous vamping around the changes, to the wide-open legato guitar phrasing of McLauglin against the double time in Vitous' bass on "Univoyage," to the simmering undulations of Garbarek's saxophones on top of Corea's intricate melodies and right-hand runs on "Brazilan Waves," all of it propelled, not anchored, by the leader's rich tone and accented and punctuated by Garbarek's tight, loping saxophone lines. This is one of those recordings that feels familiar in tone, but is timeless in concept and execution. Universal Syncopations is one of the most gorgeous sounding and toughly played dates of the calendar year.  by Thom Jurek
Tracklist:
1     Bamboo Forest        4:37
Miroslav Vitous
2     Univoyage    10:54
Miroslav Vitous
3    Tramp Blues    5:19
Miroslav Vitous
4    Faith Run    4:58
Miroslav Vitous
5    Sun Flower    7:21
Miroslav Vitous
6    Miro Bop    4:03
Miroslav Vitous
7    Beethoven    7:18
Jan Garbarek / Miroslav Vitous
8    Medium    5:09
Jan Garbarek / Miroslav Vitous
9    Brazil Waves    4:26
Jan Garbarek / Miroslav Vitous
Credits
Double Bass, Written-By, Producer, Edited By, Mixed By – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – John McLaughlin
Piano – Chick Corea
Producer, Edited By, Mixed By – Manfred Eicher
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Trombone – Isaac Smith (tracks: 2 to 4)
Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron (tracks: 2 to 4)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Valerie Ponomarev (tracks: 2 to 4)
Written-By – Jack DeJohnette (tracks: 8), Jan Garbarek (tracks: 7, 9)

BILL CONNORS - Of Mist and Melting (1977) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A beautiful session by the ever searching guitarist Bill Connors - showing part of the musical direction that Connors first took after leaving Chick Corea's first jazz-rock incarnation of the "Return To Forever" band (following the departure of vocalist Flora Purim - due to legal problems, her husband percussionist Airto Moreira, and saxophonist/flautist Joseph "Joe Farrell" Firrantello from the earlier latin-jazz "Return To Forever" band). The intense, lyrical, and introspective Bill Connors' originals on the "Of Mist And Melting" session continued to show his great talents as a composer - compositions which bassist Gary Peacock both praised and also used in his jazz composition classes and workshops following his return to Seattle, Washington after recording the session in December of 1977. Note: the piece "Melting" is also known under the title of "Spanish Flames" from live Bill Connors / James "Jimmy" Giuffre duet performances. by Martin Totusek
Tracklist:
1 Melting 11:31
Bill Connors
2 Not Forgetting 6:30
Bill Connors
3 Face In The Water 3:25
Bill Connors
4 Aubade 9:36
Bill Connors
5 Café Vue 5:37
Bill Connors
6 Unending 7:33
Bill Connors
Credits:
Bass – Gary Peacock
Composed By – Bill Connors
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – Bill Connors
Saxophone – Jan Garbarek

COLLIN WALCOTT - Cloud Dance (1975) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is one of the gems of the ECM catalog, and a must own for any fan of Oregon, Walcott's other work, or the incredible band on this CD: John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette. Walcott's sitar and Abercrombie's fluid, singing guitar dance and exchange ideas over one of the greatest rhythm sections in jazz. This isn't an airy fairy "world beat" record – it's tight, lyrical, reflective music from four masters at the peak of their careers. It's a shame the late Walcott didn't record three more albums with this band. "Margueritte" and the title track are two of the most poignant melodies I know. Any fan of honest, exploratory, moody jazz should check this out. - by Stephen Silberman

Tracklist:

1. Margueritte - 8:33

(Walcott) 

2. Prancing - 3:24

(Walcott) 

3. Night Glider - 6:41

(Walcott)

4. Scimitar - 2:46

(Walcott-Abercrombie)

5. Vadana - 7:01

(Holland) 

6. Eastern Song - 2:35

(Walcott) 

7. Padma - 2:47

(Walcott-Abercrombie)

8. Cloud Dance - 5:47

(Walcott) 

Credits:

Collin Walcott - sitar, tabla

John Abercrombie - guitar

Dave Holland - double-bass

Jack DeJohnette - drums