The Enemies Of Energy

The Enemies Of Energy

The Enemies Of Energy

ASIN: B00003G1JD

Editorial Reviews
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

The Enemies Of Energy,Kurt Rosenwinkel,Polygram Records,Guitar,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
The Enemies Of Energy
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the finest and most creative jazz guitarist playing today
  • Emphatically!!! A must listen.
  • Best album of the Millenium
  • A Breath of Fresh Air
  • boring
 The Enemies Of Energy
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern PostbebopModern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Bebop & Post-BopBebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00003G1JD
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

  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

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the finest and most creative jazz guitarist playing today.......2005-10-16

'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!

5 out of 5 stars Emphatically!!! A must listen........2001-08-18

This guitarist's second album under his leadership is, to the greatest extent of any guitarist's album, as much about a full complement of instruments in balanced contribution as about guitar fireworks. The thematic content and development are sensitive, tight, and potent. At moments there is something reminescent of Scofield... of Holdsworth... of Abercrombie. Yet there is, in the entirety, something wholly original happening and it's utterly exciting. The phrases catch you off balance and play with your sense of timing and momentum like some heady amusement park ride. While the harmonic content is as edgy and fresh as metallic blue neon. This album, as well as his latest "The Next Step" are of that phenomenon where a sense of urgency emerges as waves of unanticipated originality in musical thought catch you in their undertow. Like the days of summer childhood at the beach... there is something innocent and joyful. Yet these are important moments.... moments you'll want to remember... You'll want to hum these tunes in your head... Your soul wants to swim as freely as these dolphins.... always!

5 out of 5 stars Best album of the Millenium.......2001-01-14

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.

5 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh Air.......2001-01-09

Take the cool vamps of Larry Coryell, the chord voicings of Pat Metheny, and the freedom of John Scofield, and you start to recognize the new sound of young guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. But don't stop there. Mr. Rosenwinkel has developed his own special qualities -- and it's a breath of fresh air in the very crowded world of jazz guitar.

One of the things that first struct me is Rosenwinkel's use of fast picking techiques, rather than the more common use of legatto playing that many of the young players are using. This gives his sound an edgy feel, reminiscent of early jazz-rock.

And while Rosenwinkel's playing is distinctive, it is the music that captures your attention. On the surface each track is sensitive with a hint of dissonance, but behind it is a threating storm. Take the scond track, which lulls you into thinking it is standard funk piece, until you start hearing the overlaying of complex keyboard and sax melodies, and then the raunchy guitar riffs on top.

There are very few pyro-techniques here. The musicians play in service of the music. Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner plays most of the leads, and does so with finess and grace. Scott Kinsey, from Tribal Tech, works well with the group, adding accoustic piano and synth support when needed. The rhythm section consisting of Ben Street in bass and Jeff Ballard on drums do a fine job of keeping the music on track.

This is a fine album from a fresh new voice in jazz.

1 out of 5 stars boring.......2000-09-14

If only "complex time signatures, complex chord changes, and complex sounds" ensured good music. They do not and this is not a good record.
Enemies of Energy
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Enemies of Energy
    Kurt Rosenwinkel
    Manufacturer: Impul
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Modern PostbebopModern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B00004HYDC
    Release Date: 2000-01-19

    Tracks:

    1. Enemies Of Energy
    2. Grant
    3. Cubism
    4. Number Ten
    5. Polish Song
    6. Point Of View
    7. Christmas Song
    8. Dream Of The World
    9. Senstics
    10. Hope & Fear
    11. Lighter Blocks

    Album Details

    Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track.

    Jazz Music:

    1. The Historic California Concerts 1954 [Live]
    2. The Lost Album [Import]
    3. The New Edge
    4. The Past Builds the Future
    5. The Temple of Beautiful [Live]
    6. Three Guitars [Hybrid SACD]
    7. Tokyo 96
    8. Vertical Vision [Enhanced]
    9. Vince & Bola (And Friends)/Live at El Matador [Live]
    10. Warm Spring Night

    Jazz Music

    Jazz Music