Is Pictures a good place to start with Jack DeJohnette?

Yes, Pictures is recommended as a starting point for new Jack DeJohnette listeners. A fluid tapestry of free jazz and experimental textures, weaving intricate rhythms with ethereal soundscapes. Released in 1977, Pictures marked Jack DeJohnette's transition from a prominent drummer to a solo artist showcasing his compositional skills. This album followed his notable work with the influential jazz ensemble, the Charles Lloyd Quartet, and came just after his participation in the groundbreaking group, The New Directions Band.

Pictures works well if you're into evocative soundscapes for daydreaming, patient exploration of musical themes and immersive listening during quiet evenings.

How many songs are on Pictures?

Pictures has 6 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Pictures

Jack DeJohnette · 1977

37 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A fluid tapestry of free jazz and experimental textures, weaving intricate rhythms with ethereal soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Picture 1 Start here — Opening the album, this track establishes a meditative tone with its delicate interplay between percussion and synthesizers, setting the stage for the sonic journey ahead.
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Picture 3 — This piece exemplifies DeJohnette's skillful blending of rhythmic complexity and melodic exploration, creating a captivating conversation between instruments that draws listeners deeper into the music.
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Picture 5 — With its more structured form yet free-spirited execution, this track demonstrates the balance between improvisation and composition that characterizes the album's overarching vision.

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 showcases strong improvisation and thematic development, characteristic of jazz but with distinct rhythmic complexity.

What we noticed

Each track is structured around a central theme, with improvisational sections that allow for exploration of rhythm and melody.

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 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

evocative soundscapes for daydreaming
patient exploration of musical themes
immersive listening during quiet evenings
subtle shifts in emotional tone

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, energetic music
seek immediate gratification from tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Features a blend of styles, showcasing DeJohnette's innovative approach to jazz.
Career context: Released in 1977, Pictures marked Jack DeJohnette's transition from a prominent drummer to a solo artist showcasing his compositional skills. This album followed his notable work with the influential jazz ensemble, the Charles Lloyd Quartet, and came just after his participation in the groundbreaking group, The New Directions Band.
Stylistic neighbors: Tony Williams· Chick Corea· Brian Blade