Is Made in Chicago a good place to start with Jack DeJohnette?

Yes, Made in Chicago is recommended as a starting point for new Jack DeJohnette listeners. A vibrant tapestry of free jazz, blending intricate rhythms with expansive improvisation and deep emotional resonance. By the time 'Made in Chicago' was released in 2015, Jack DeJohnette was a venerable figure in the jazz world, celebrating over five decades of innovation. This album came as a celebration of his roots, showcasing collaboration with fellow musicians like guitarist Larry Coryell and saxophonist David Murray during a period marked by a return to more spontaneous and exploratory sounds after years of structured performance.

Who is Made in Chicago for?

Made in Chicago works well if you're into expansive sound explorations, patient build towards climax and immersive late-night listening.

How many songs are on Made in Chicago?

Made in Chicago has 7 tracks, running approximately 77 minutes.

Made in Chicago

Jack DeJohnette · 2015

77 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of free jazz, blending intricate rhythms with expansive improvisation and deep emotional resonance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Chant Start here — This opening track is a sprawling exploration that encapsulates the essence of free jazz, combining meditative repetition with dynamic improvisation that sets the tone for the entire album.
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Museum of Time — This piece showcases DeJohnette’s ability to weave complex rhythms with lyrical melodies, creating an immersive soundscape that reflects on the passage of time through music.
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Leave Don’t Go Away — With its poignant themes and emotive interplay between instruments, this track highlights DeJohnette's capacity for deep musical conversation, making it a standout moment on the record.

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 showcases strong improvisational skills and distinct compositions, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate extended solos, allowing individual musicians to explore their instruments deeply within the context of the ensemble.

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 3/10

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

expansive sound explorations
patient build towards climax
immersive late-night listening
intricate rhythms for focus

Maybe skip if you

seeking immediate gratification
prefer standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Celebrates DeJohnette's roots and showcases his artistic evolution in jazz.
Career context: By the time 'Made in Chicago' was released in 2015, Jack DeJohnette was a venerable figure in the jazz world, celebrating over five decades of innovation. This album came as a celebration of his roots, showcasing collaboration with fellow musicians like guitarist Larry Coryell and saxophonist David Murray during a period marked by a return to more spontaneous and exploratory sounds after years of structured performance.
Stylistic neighbors: Tony Williams· Chick Corea· Brian Blade