While Sorcery was not Jack DeJohnette’s first appearance on record under his own name, it did mark a major step in his career, from first-call sideman to working bandleader. Both the mix of material (full of freedom, structure, electricity, and humor), the personnel, and DeJohnette’s own multifaceted role as drummer/keyboard player/composer predict the diverse paths his groups would pursue over the next two decades. Featured players include Bennie Maupin and Dave Holland, old partners from live and studio endeavors with Miles Davis; and two guitarists who would rise to prominence in later DeJohnette bands, John Abercrombie (Directions and New Directions) and Mick Goodrick (Special Edition).