Is New Rags a good place to start with Jack DeJohnette?

Yes, New Rags is recommended as a starting point for new Jack DeJohnette listeners. A vibrant fusion of free jazz and rhythmic exploration, layered with intricate melodies and a sense of spontaneous improvisation. By the time 'New Rags' was released in 1977, Jack DeJohnette had already established himself as an influential drummer and pianist in the jazz scene, particularly known for his work with Miles Davis. This album followed his acclaimed appearances on Davis's 'Bitches Brew' and represents DeJohnette's evolution into a bandleader, showcasing his compositional skills alongside his drumming prowess.

New Rags works well if you're into dynamic exploration of themes, wave-like pacing with surprises and expressive improvisation throughout.

How many songs are on New Rags?

New Rags has 5 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

New Rags

Jack DeJohnette · 1977

40 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of free jazz and rhythmic exploration, layered with intricate melodies and a sense of spontaneous improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Minya's the Mooch Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its extended improvisational sections, allowing each musician to showcase their virtuosity while maintaining a cohesive sound.
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New Rags — The title track exemplifies DeJohnette's ability to blend complex rhythms with lyrical melodies, serving as a highlight of the album's thematic exploration.
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Steppin' Thru — This piece features intricate interplay between the instruments, reflecting DeJohnette's mastery of both composition and spontaneous creation within the jazz framework.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate rhythms and improvisational style mark it as a notable entry in jazz fusion.

What we noticed

The album features a strong emphasis on rhythmic complexity, with polyrhythmic patterns driving the majority of the tracks.
Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing musicians to explore themes and motifs in real-time.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

dynamic exploration of themes
wave-like pacing with surprises
expressive improvisation throughout
for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — 'New Rags' innovatively blends jazz fusion, pushing genre boundaries and enhancing DeJohnette's recognition.
Career context: By the time 'New Rags' was released in 1977, Jack DeJohnette had already established himself as an influential drummer and pianist in the jazz scene, particularly known for his work with Miles Davis. This album followed his acclaimed appearances on Davis's 'Bitches Brew' and represents DeJohnette's evolution into a bandleader, showcasing his compositional skills alongside his drumming prowess.
Stylistic neighbors: Tony Williams· Chick Corea· Brian Blade