Jack DeJohnette - New Directions (1978) CD Rip

Jack DeJohnette’s *New Directions* is an adventurous and forward-thinking jazz recording that reflects the drummer’s innovative spirit and genre-defying approach. Released in 1978 on ECM, the album brings together a remarkable ensemble of musicians, each contributing a distinct voice to a highly exploratory musical dialogue. DeJohnette’s leadership is fluid and organic, emphasizing collective improvisation, textural depth, and rhythmic freedom rather than conventional structure. The presence of John Abercrombie, Lester Bowie, and Eddie Gómez creates a rich sonic palette where jazz, avant-garde expression, and contemporary harmonic ideas intersect. Tracks like “Bayou Fever” and “Where Or Wayne” showcase expansive improvisational development, while “Dream Stalker” and “Silver Hollow” highlight the group’s ability to balance atmosphere with intensity. The interplay between instruments often feels conversational, unpredictable, and deeply expressive. *New Directions* stands as a significant ECM-era statement, capturing a moment where jazz pushed beyond boundaries into more abstract and exploratory territory.

Tracklist:
1. Bayou Fever 8:44
2. Where Or Wayne 12:29
3. Dream Stalker 5:59
4. One Handed Woman 10:53
5. Silver Hollow 8:26

Personnel:
Jack DeJohnette - drums, piano
John Abercrombie - guitar, mandolin
Lester Bowie - trumpet
Eddie Gomez - bass