What does Dancing with Nature Spirits sound like?

A transcendent blend of free jazz and new age textures that invites listeners into a meditative soundscape. Rooted in jazz fusion and new age music. Start with "Dancing With Nature Spirits".

Is Dancing with Nature Spirits a good place to start with Jack DeJohnette?

Yes, Dancing with Nature Spirits is recommended as a starting point for new Jack DeJohnette listeners. A transcendent blend of free jazz and new age textures that invites listeners into a meditative soundscape. By the time 'Dancing with Nature Spirits' was released in 1996, Jack DeJohnette was an established figure in jazz, known for his innovative drumming and collaborations with legends like Miles Davis. This album followed his notable work on the 1994 album 'The Impulse Sessions', showcasing his ongoing evolution as a composer and leader in the jazz fusion movement.

Who is Dancing with Nature Spirits for?

Dancing with Nature Spirits works well if you're into wave-like ebb and flow, deep spiritual connection experience and long meditative listening sessions.

How many songs are on Dancing with Nature Spirits?

Dancing with Nature Spirits has 5 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Dancing with Nature Spirits

Jack DeJohnette · 1996

72 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A transcendent blend of free jazz and new age textures that invites listeners into a meditative soundscape.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Dancing With Nature Spirits Start here — The title track sets the tone with its nearly 21-minute exploration of rhythm and improvisation, embodying the album's thematic connection between music and nature.
→
Healing Song for Mother Earth — This lengthy piece serves as a poignant meditation on environmental themes, using dynamic contrasts to invoke a sense of healing and reverence for the planet.
→
Anatolia — With its intricate melodies and rhythms, this track showcases DeJohnette's ability to blend cultural influences, enriching the album's tapestry with diverse sounds.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's expansive tracks and unique blend of genres create a distinct listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features long, flowing compositions that often exceed eight minutes, allowing for extended improvisation and exploration.
The use of silence and space is prominent, with moments of quiet that enhance the meditative quality of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like ebb and flow
deep spiritual connection experience
long meditative listening sessions
explorative soundscapes for reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer concise, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Merges free jazz with new age, reflecting a departure from traditional jazz forms.
Themes: environmental reverence· meditative soundscapes· cultural sonic fusion
Career context: By the time 'Dancing with Nature Spirits' was released in 1996, Jack DeJohnette was an established figure in jazz, known for his innovative drumming and collaborations with legends like Miles Davis. This album followed his notable work on the 1994 album 'The Impulse Sessions', showcasing his ongoing evolution as a composer and leader in the jazz fusion movement.
Stylistic neighbors: Tony Williams· Chick Corea· Brian Blade