"I love to play grooves and beautiful melodies" - Jack DeJohnette
The classic undersell with Sound Travels a vibrant sonic texture of Latin rhythms, percussive punctuations of West Indian vibe and a splash of old school swing. 2012 is proving to be a memorable year for the prolific talents of legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette. Arguably DeJohnette's finest release comes at the same time he receives a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Fellowship, the highest honor for U.S. jazz musicians. DeJohnette turns 70 this year and Sound Travels is a clear indication there is plenty of gas left in the tank! Sound Travels does more than transcend genres it smashes musical barriers and limitations that seem to have plagued jazz for years.
DeJohnette composed all the tunes except for "Dirty Ground" which was co-written with Bruce Hornsby and is a tune with massive cross over potential but do not confuse cross over with sell out. "Dirty Ground" is all about the groove and the beautiful melodies that DeJohnette loves to play! Other notables on the release include Jason Moran, Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding.
"Sonny Light" is a tribute to Sonny Rollins and overflows with a West Indian calypso sound that borders on infectious. For the more straight ahead sound there is "New Muse" featuring a stellar outing by soprano saxophonist Tim Ries as well as trumpet phenom Ambrose Akinmusire. The first vocal on Sound Travels is Luisito Serena Salsa featuring the vocal improvisation of Esperanza Spalding, a strong lyrical flow and melodic feel play out over DeJohnette's subtle Latin infused finesse.An interesting side note is that DeJohnette also plays solo piano on "Enter Here" and "Home" again adding a three dimensional type of harmonic progression. Open, organic and original completes the feel of stellar release.
Modern jazz goes mainstream? Drawing from a myriad of influences and again with the groove as the focal point, Sound Travels is as entertaining and accessible a release as you may hear across any genre nf music.
5 Stars.
Tracks: Enter Here; Luisito Serena Salsa; Dirty Ground; New Muse; Sonny Light; Sound Travels; Oneness; Indigo Dreamscape; Home.
Personnel: Jack DeJohnette: drums, percussion, timbales, piano.
Special guests: Bruce Hornsby, Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, Tim Ries, Ambrose Akinmusire, Lionel Loueke, Luisito Quintero, Jason Morn.
Photo via Jack DeJohnette on line media press kit.
Many thanks to Jordy at DL Media and Eone for their help!
