1980 · Album
Sound Travels
Recorded 1979-1980 · Columbia Records · Produced by Jack DeJohnette
Rhythm as Conversation, Drums as Voice
DeJohnette lets the drums breathe here, speaking as much as keeping time.
Jack DeJohnette has never been a drummer who just keeps the beat, and Sound Travels proves that early in his career. This album is him figuring out what his voice on drums actually is—not the flashy, technical showoff, but something more conversational. The drums don't sit in the back; they're trading ideas with whoever else is in the room, pushing and pulling the music like a real dialogue. It's the kind of record that matters more to musicians than to casual listeners, honestly. If you're just looking for smooth jazz to have on while cooking dinner, this isn't it. But if you want to hear a drummer think, really think, about what he's playing and why, this is worth your time.
What makes Sound Travels different from a lot of contemporary jazz is how restless it feels. DeJohnette doesn't settle into grooves so much as he unsettles them, always asking questions with his playing. The record has this forward momentum that comes from everyone listening hard to each other. There's a real interplay happening—the kind where you can tell the musicians care about responding to what's being played, not just playing their parts. Some passages feel loose and searching; others lock into place with real conviction. It's not always polished, and that's kind of the point.
This is essential if you're seriously interested in drums and rhythm in jazz, or if you want to understand how a player can completely reshape an instrument's role in a group. It's not his peak—that comes later—but it's the album where DeJohnette starts becoming DeJohnette. Not a masterpiece, but genuinely important and still interesting to sit with.
Who's playing
Esperanza Spaldingdouble bass
Lionel Louekeelectric guitar
Tim Riessoprano saxophone
Ambrose Akinmusiretrumpet
Luisito Quinteropercussion
Jack DeJohnettebell
Where next?
More by Jack DeJohnette
All 14 albums →
The musicians on this record
Emily’s D+Evolution 2010
Esperanza Spalding
plays double bass here
plays double bass here
♫
Origami Harvest 2018
Ambrose Akinmusire
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
