Avant-Garde Alchemy: Revisiting David Murray and Jack DeJohnette's 'In Our Style'

Avant-Garde Alchemy: Revisiting David Murray and Jack DeJohnette's 'In Our Style'

When two titans of the jazz avant-garde join forces, magic is almost guaranteed. Back in 1986, tenor saxophonist David Murray and legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette teamed up to release In Our Style on the prestigious Japanese DIW label.

Operating primarily as a powerhouse duo, the two musicians delivered a masterclass in modern jazz improvisation. To turn the heat up even further, they invited revered avant-garde bassist Fred Hopkins to anchor the rhythm section on two of the album's most dynamic tracks.

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💿 Album Spotlight

• Release Year: 1986
• Label: DIW (Japanese Import)
• Core Musicians: David Murray & Jack DeJohnette
• Special Guest: Fred Hopkins (Bass)
• AllMusic Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)

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🥁 The Dynamic: Balance, Fire, and Melodic Moments

In Our Style isn't just a relentless blast of free jazz; it’s a brilliant exploration of shifting moods and sonic textures. David Murray splits his time between his signature tenor saxophone and the deep, rich tones of the bass clarinet. Meanwhile, Jack DeJohnette showcases his immense versatility, driving the rhythm behind the drums while also stepping over to the piano.

As acclaimed music critic Scott Yanow noted in his review for AllMusic, Murray’s extroverted, forward-thinking solos generally act as the leading voice. Yet, the album keeps listeners on their toes. It weaves seamlessly through mellow, deeply melodic passages before giving way to absolute musical fire.

The tracklist features a stellar lineup of original compositions penned by Murray and DeJohnette themselves, alongside pieces by the legendary cornetist and conductor Butch Morris.

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🎵 Track Listing & Personnel Breakdowns

The album’s architecture balances tight trio structures with wide-open duo conversations:

1. "In Your Style" (Morris) – 6:15 (Featuring Fred Hopkins on bass)
2. "Tin Can Alley" (DeJohnette) – 5:39
3. "Both Feet on the Ground" (Murray) – 5:09
4. "The Dice" (Morris) – 8:17 (Featuring Fred Hopkins on bass)
5. "Pastel Rhapsody" (DeJohnette) – 6:39
6. "Great Peace" (Murray) – 6:49
7. "Kalimba" (DeJohnette) – 5:37

Whether you are a die-hard fan of 80s avant-garde jazz or a collector tracking down rare Japanese imports, In Our Style remains a spectacular testament to what happens when master improvisers play entirely by their own rules.

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