1980 · Album
Special Edition
Recorded March 1979 · ECM Records · Produced by Manfred Eicher
Four Voices in Conversation, Spring 1979
DeJohnette gathers two reed giants and lets them breathe together, no ego, just listening.
Special Edition catches Jack DeJohnette in a generous mood. Recorded in March 1979, this quartet sides him with David Murray and Arthur Blythe on reeds, and Slip Warren handling bass and cello. It's a small group where space matters as much as sound. DeJohnette's drumming here isn't flashy or restless — he's playing support, which for a drummer of his stature means he's listening hard. Murray and Blythe don't compete. They trade phrases, sometimes overlap, sometimes give each other room to breathe alone. Warren anchors everything with cello work that adds weight without cluttering the picture. The album has the feel of a working band that knows how to communicate without talking too much.
What strikes you first is how conversational it all feels. This isn't a drum showcase with a rhythm section attached. DeJohnette has stepped back into the ensemble, and the result is more intimate than you'd expect from a quartet of this caliber. The sessions have a loose quality — thoughtful, but not overthought. Murray's tenor gets breathy and urgent when it needs to, while Blythe leans toward sharp articulation and angular phrasing. The interplay between them suggests real listening, the kind that only happens when musicians trust each other. Warren's cello gives the whole thing unexpected warmth, especially when the bass drops out and he takes melodic space.
Special Edition is solid work, a good middle-tier entry in DeJohnette's discography. It's not his defining statement, but it matters if you're serious about him. The album shows a musician comfortable enough in his own skin to play second fiddle to younger voices. Not every drummer his age could do that convincingly. If you know DeJohnette mainly through his more energetic, fusion-leaning work, this one will surprise you — it's about listening, about space, about four people making music together rather than one person leading the charge.
Who's playing
David Murraybass clarinet, tenor saxophone
Peter Warrenbass, cello
Arthur Blythealto saxophone
Jack DeJohnettedrums
