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Rating: Thanks to our friend the global network, I was able to retrieve this work by good old Jack. I can’t really remember where that CD ended up, most likely it’s at the house of some acquaintance of mine who took great care not to return it. I’ve forgiven them, of course, first because it’s a real gem and then because so many years have passed. Anyway, unlike many other albums that were lost, I never forgot this one.
And so here I find myself with you, not hiding the pleasure of being the one to review it even though I am aware of the difficulties this description will present.
Anyone who doesn’t know Jack probably hasn’t ever listened to jazz, and since he is one of the most famous drummers in this genre, I’ll skip biographical notes and introductions. It would be a simpler path to do a nice track by track as the songs follow quite different genres. Similarly, saying a piece is closer to one genre rather than another would limit the scope of your imagination. I would like to highlight instead some aspects of this work: first of all, the rhythmic foundations which are extremely rich, full, compact, and surprising.
In the field where Dejohnette is a master, he wants Will Calhoun (Living Colour) and Bobby Rosario (I believe he plays Cuban music) next to him, two drummers from very different backgrounds. Then on guitars, we find a splendid John Scofield who is accompanied by and sometimes dialogues with Vernon Reid (another Living Colour). Just hearing these two together, I assure you, is a real pleasure. Finally, I must highlight that more than half of the album is sung, which is very rare in works conceived by jazz musicians, almost always instrumental. The main voice is Joan Henry, a particular choice, given that she is inspired by the musical traditions of Native Americans.
"Music for the Fifth World" is a kaleidoscope of genres and musicians from various backgrounds, coming from the most diverse cultures now incorporated into the United States of America, heavy metal, indigenous chants, reggae, fusion, jazz, funk... But the result is not a crossover (like Mr. Bungle or Estradasphere).
Every song displays its own characteristic influences and at the same time tries to hide them by speaking a new language. DeJohnette escapes from the artificial rigidity of geometric forms to naturally enter the vortices of complex and sinuous fractal contours.Rating for drums and percussion: 10
Line-up (which is always good to know in these cases):
Jack Dejohnette - Synthesizer, Taos Drum, Main Performer, Producer, Vocals, Keyboards, Drums, Arranger, Bass, Percussion
John Scofield - Guitar
Vernon Reid - Guitar
Michael Cain - Synthesizer, Piano
Will Calhoun - Vocals, Drums
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass
Bobby Rosario - Vocals, Drums
Joan Henry - Vocals, Shaker
Tracklist
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