Search - Kurt Rosenwinkel :: Enemies of Energy

Kurt Rosenwinkel
Enemies of Energy
Genres: Jazz, Special Interest, Pop

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. The Enemies Of Energy
2. Grant
3. Cubism
4. Number Ten
5. The Polish Song
6. Point Of View
7. Christmas Song
8. Dream Of The Old
9. Synthetics
10. Hope And Fear

CD Details

All Artists: Kurt Rosenwinkel
Title: Enemies of Energy
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polygram Records
Original Release Date: 1/11/2000
Release Date: 1/11/2000
Genres: Jazz, Special Interest, Pop
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 731454304221

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Guitarist-composer Kurt Rosenwinkel has a poetic spirit capable of both intriguing innovation and arty pretension. Some of Rosenwinkel's conceptions fall flat. "Cubism," for example, which he describes as "a 12-bar arrangement of the 12 major keys--one key per bar," is meant to parallel "the way cubist painters fragmented the basic elements of their art" but turns out to be a rather bland hopscotch. And "The Polish Song" is a quavering acoustic ballad sung by Rosenwinkel in a high-pitched gibberish that he imagines "might be Polish." But there's also evidence here as to why Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and especially Joshua Redman praise Rosenwinkel so effusively in the liner notes. His tunes are distinctive in ways small and large: a chiming bell on the "Number Ten" signature riff puts a cherry on that song's buoyant sundae of flavors, while "Dream of the Old," is a multihued tone poem that perfectly captures the wistful/peaceful/equivocal tenor of the aging process. At its best, Rosenwinkel's guitar work is reminiscent of Scofield's curlicue phrasing and full-bodied tone. The rest of the quintet handles the diverse material with sensitivity and aplomb, particularly saxophonist Mark Turner and bassist Ben Street. --Britt Robson

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CD Reviews

Best album of the Millenium

Zachary J. Powers | Savannah, GA | 01/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure, its only 2001, but I suspect this album would be in my millenial top ten even in 2999. Abandon all pretense when you toss these tracks on the old stereo system, and be prepared for a great step in the evolution of jazz. Rosenwinkel's compositions and arrangements are amazing to say the least, and every solo is a pristine example of what modern jazz improvisation should be.If Rosenwinkel's guitar virtuosity isn't enough, then just wait for Mark Turner's Tenor Sax action. Turner might be the hottest sax player out there, and he certainly argues his case well on this album. The rest of the quintet (a regularly perfroming group, so everthing is TIGHT) consists of pianist and keyboardist Scott Kinsey, Bass-man Ben Street, and drummer Jeff Ballard. These three are no slouches themselves, and deliver top-notch performances.Mind you, this is not trad jazz, its not Metheny, and I've been unable as of yet to give it a classification. All I can say is that its fun, hip and intellectual all at the same time, and it spends a disproportionate amount of time in my CD player."

Beautiful and Enthralling

Nathan Cross | Bloomington, IN USA | 01/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had previously only heard Kurt on two albums, one by Paul Motian, and the other by Chris Potter, both albums he plays superbly. So my expectations were high, however on this album, he exceeded them in a much different way than I expected. Throughout he shows off his highly developed and personal guitar style, but on the album I feel that his writing ability shines through even more. The songs are beautifully crafted and well thought out. Beautiful is the key word here. The melodies are very linear as is the entire album. Shifting from jazz to groove, to polish(classical really), to music that can't even be classified in a genre, and that in my opinion is the key of a great artist and song. To defy category and genre, and this album in my opinion achieves that ideal beautifully. I strongly urge anyone to pick this album up and check him out now. He is highly touted and is going to be big soon enough. I hope you enjoy as much as I have been enjoying it."

This is an amazing album

Nathan Cross | 08/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anybody that thinks this album is dull doesnt know anything about jazz music and where it is going. Rosenwinkel is heading a new wave in jazz, a new fushion. He uses complex time signatures, complex chord changes, and complex sounds. My favorite track is also track 4. I also really enjoy the track in which he sings polish. For you people who think this album is lame, go listen to Kenny G or something."

One of the finest and most creative jazz guitarist playing t

A.J.H. Woodcount | 10/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'The Enemies of Energy' is a great album. And Scofields remark of Rosenwinkel being 'the finest en most creative jazz guitarist today' is not one of a delusional drunk, but a statement of another great jazzguitarist, one that knows his business. Pat Metheny says about Rosenwinkel that he has vision and that Rosenwinkel works hard to meet his personal criteria of what music is.

Metheny and Scofield make no false statements. Indeed, Rosenwinkel is one of the great. His skills on the guitar are tremendous, his compositions are succesfull endeavours to immortality.

Track 4 starts Scofield like and turns out to be more a Metheny kind of thing. I think Rosenwinkels style is amidst their styles, but one can not say that Rosenwinkel is nothing else but a mere mixture of Scofield and Metheney. He has his own notions and puts them on disc after disc.

The greatness of this album is not only to be found in the composing and guitarplaying Rosenwinkel. It is also a case of groupeffort.

Mark Tuner is also one of the greatest musians. His saxplaying strikes me again and again. Check his efforts on Matthias Lupri's latest album. Wauw! I saw Tuner play in the Dave Holland Big Band (NSJF 2005)! Excellent performing! 'The Enemies of Energy' is trough the interaction of Mark Tuner and Kurt Rosenwinkel one of high standard.

Ben Street and Jeff Ballard are also great artists. Just check the work the have done in the recent years. These guys are every where and all around. On this album they play a couple of very modern rhythms.

Mayby this second album of Rosenwinkel is not his best, but it of high quality and it has more than some elements that I find interesting. The usage of acoustic guitars and the 4 string stella is a new element on Rosenwinkels albums. This new element proves to be essential for this album. Especialy in combination with the piano. The acoustic guitars lift Rosenwinkel his music to new levels, it brings new meaning to his melodic poetry and makes the whole sound sound even more full, though the fullness is also smoothend by it.

Enjoy!

But note: Rosenwinkel is not a singer! Hope he will not do that again!"