Is Sorcery a good place to start with Jack DeJohnette?

Yes, Sorcery is recommended as a starting point for new Jack DeJohnette listeners. A sweeping exploration of improvisation blending jazz, ethereal textures, and rhythmic complexity into a transcendent soundscape. By the time 'Sorcery' was released in 1974, Jack DeJohnette had already established himself as a prominent drummer in the jazz scene, having played with legends like Miles Davis. This album marked his transition from sideman to bandleader, showcasing his compositional skills and innovative approach to jazz fusion following his earlier work on Charles Lloyd's influential records.

Sorcery works well if you're into wave-like pacing for exploration, dynamic thematic improvisation journey and ethereal textures for deep listening.

How many songs are on Sorcery?

Sorcery has 6 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Sorcery

Jack DeJohnette · 1974

41 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A sweeping exploration of improvisation blending jazz, ethereal textures, and rhythmic complexity into a transcendent soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sorcery #1 Start here — This track serves as the album's centerpiece, featuring expansive improvisation that captures DeJohnette's unique drumming style interwoven with atmospheric piano and saxophone lines.
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The Reverend King Suite — A tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., this suite combines complex rhythms with spiritual undertones, reflecting the socio-political context of the time while showcasing DeJohnette’s ability to blend narrative and musicality.
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Four Levels of Joy — This short piece contrasts with the longer tracks, providing a vibrant burst of energy that encapsulates the album's joyful exploration of musical themes, highlighting DeJohnette's versatility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's avant-garde structure and improvisational depth create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
The sequencing of the tracks creates a gradual build-up in intensity, culminating in the climactic 'The Reverend King Suite' before tapering off with 'Epilog'.

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

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

wave-like pacing for exploration
dynamic thematic improvisation journey
ethereal textures for deep listening
short bursts of rhythmic energy

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — It blends free jazz and spiritual jazz, marking a significant departure in DeJohnette's sound.
Themes: spiritual tribute· Martin Luther King Jr· improvisational exploration
Career context: By the time 'Sorcery' was released in 1974, Jack DeJohnette had already established himself as a prominent drummer in the jazz scene, having played with legends like Miles Davis. This album marked his transition from sideman to bandleader, showcasing his compositional skills and innovative approach to jazz fusion following his earlier work on Charles Lloyd's influential records.
Stylistic neighbors: Tony Williams· Chick Corea· Brian Blade