Since the inception of his Golden Beams Productions imprint, Jack DeJohnette has been busy releasing music ranging from the meditational Music in the Key of Ohm (Golden Beams, 2005) and world music-inflected Music from the Hearts of the Masters (Golden Beams, 2005) to the more decidedly improvisational The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers (Golden Beams, 2006). A freedom of spirit infuses all his releases, but it's been over a decade since the veteran drummer has released an album as a leader that fits squarely into the jazz category.
Still, even more decidedly jazz-centric albums like the open-ended Oneness (ECM, 1997) and career-defining Special Edition (ECM, 1980) are far from predictable. Music We Are may appear, on the surface, to be yet another in a long line of piano trio records released every year—not that there's anything wrong with that—but in the hands of DeJohnette, pianist Danilo Pérez and bassist John Patitucci, the music not only transcends the expectations of the format, but stretches the boundaries of music, plain and simple. A combination of appealing writing, spare and dark-hued free-play, and an unmistakable sense of fun imbue Music We Are—three qualities made even clearer on the 20-minute "making of" DVD that's included with the CD.
The three have intersected on various projects over the years: DeJohnette played on Perez's 1992, eponymous Novus debut as a leader; DeJohnette and Patitucci have been Steve Khan's partners of choice dating from the guitarist's Got My Mental (Evidence, 1996) through to the outstanding Borrowed Time (Tone Center, 2007); and, of course, Perez and Patitucci have been one-half of saxophonist Wayne Shorter's empathic quartet since the turn of the century, heard on albums including the startlingly simpatico Beyond the Sound Barrier (Verve, 2005). The same chemistry that the various permutations have brought to other projects is only magnified when the three are brought together in the same room, at the same time.
DeJohnette has recorded "Seventh D" before, but here it's divided into two movements that amplify the sheer abandon this trio is capable of, especially "2nd Movement," which is oblique and slightly aggressive, but functions at a deeply focused level of interaction. "Tango African" is, on the other hand, more approachable. DeJohnette and Patitucci overdub the melody, on melodica and electric bass respectively, over their loose but rock-solid foundation of drums and acoustic bass, gradually moving into a groove-laden trade-off between the two. Both demonstrate the considerable stylistic territory that Music We Are covers, without feeling overly considered. Eclectic and esoteric, it's an album that celebrates the cross-pollination of music from the earth's four corners while revering the jazz tradition that permits music to be made on such fertile ground, with abstract classicism, tinges of Gamelan and folkloric innocence intersecting and driving the music to unexpected and joyous places.
A combination of original music and one relatively obscure Latin cover, Music We Are brings three friends together for a recording that, hopefully, signifies the beginning of a longer-term partnership. - John Kelman
At first glance it might appear that Jack DeJohnette’s Music We Are is simply a jazz piano trio recording, albeit one that has a compelling lineup since the other players include pianist Danilo Perez and bassist John Patitucci. That said, appearances can be, and in this case are certainly, deceiving. These musicians have all played together before in other contexts: DeJohnette and Patitucci have worked together on a pair of Steve Khan’s recordings, while Perez and Patitucci are members of Wayne Shorter’s quartet. The music here ranges widely. One highlight among many is the straight-ahead Latinized modern jazz of “Cobilla.” Here Patitucci’s upper-register playing on the electric bass is nothing short of startling but is balanced by the multi-layered, double-timed percussive attack by DeJohnette as Perez comps large chords inside the syncopation. The opening cut is the delightfully playful and inventive “Tango African,” on which DeJohnette and Patitucci multi-track more than one instrument -- in the former case it’s the melodica on top of drums, in the latter it’s electric bass over an upright one. Perez stretches the melodica’s simple melody, harmonically enhancing it while responding in sprightly ways to the rhythm section’s dancelike vibe. But then there’s the great improvisational flavor on this record as well: “Seventh D” is a piece DeJohnette has recorded before but here it appears in two movements. The first is a gorgeous Latin groove with Perez showcasing his contrapuntal post-bop chops taking the melody and knotting it tightly while swinging the entire way; in the second part, it’s Patitucci's chance to solo on some of the same themes articulated earlier, with double-timed comps by Perez in polyrhythmic ways as DeJohnette pushes both with his trademark-style double tom-tom attack. “Panama Viejo” is an improvisational ballad with Patitucci’s arco work articulating a melancholy melody as Perez improvises on the chord structure of the piece and DeJohnette shimmers his cymbals and hi-hat to create a timelessness and space in the proceedings. This is a solidly enjoyable yet very expansive take on the piano trio format. It was obviously a blast to record it as well. - Thom Jurek
Tracks
01. Tango Africa (Jack DeJohnette)
02. Earth Prayer (Jack Dejohnette/John Patitucci/Danilo Pérez)
03. Seventh D, 1st Movement (Jack DeJohnette)
04. Seventh D, 2nd Movement (jack DeJohnette)
05. Soulful Ballad (jack DeJohnette)
06. Earth Speaks (Jack DeJohnette/John Patitucci/Danilo P.erez)
07. Cobija (Danilo Pérez)
08. Panama Viejo (Ricardo Fabrega)
09. White (Danilo Pérez)
10. Ode to MJQ (Jack Dehonette/John Patitucci/Danilo Pérez)
11. Michael (John Patitucci)
JACK DeJOHNETTE drums, melodica
JOHN PATITUCCI double-bass, electric bass
DANILO PÉREZ piano, keyboards
Recorded February 22-24, 2008 at NRS Recording Studios, Catskill, NY
Golden Beams Productions - KRM-CD-1150