KURT ROSENWINKEL: Star of Jupiter
Wommusic, 2012

MODERN FUSION – Guitarist Rosenwinkel explores some cool territory here, with an organic/electric sound, lots of upbeat melodic twists and the extended exploration of simple vamps and grooves. These tunes feel like songs more than anything, and Rosenwinkel’s constant vocalizing alongside his guitar (sometimes way up in the mix) highlights that. Aaron Parks’ piano stands out in a solid, agile quartet.

Kurt Rosenwinkel : guitar, voice
Aaron Parks : piano, various keyboards
Eric Revis : bass
Justin Faulkner : drums

Fo’s Picks: Disc I – 1, 3, 4, 5 Disc II – 2, 4, 6

DISC ONE

1. 7:03 – spacey intro, then uptempo groove in 5/4 with wordless vocal
2. 4:46 – relaxed tempo, stripped-down soulful melody, nice daydream solos
3. 6:21 – buoyant rhythm, wordless vocal shadows guitar
4. 5:30 – bouncy and twisty: brisk walking rhythm with a boppish touch
5. 11:25 – enigmatic, drifting ballad: strong, hard peaks and low, gentle valleys
6. 7:47 – laid-back soulful stroll, guitar solo really gets into it, breaks for all

DISC TWO

1. 8:39 – slow, thoughtful ballad with a somewhat formal air, guitar really sings
2. 6:51 – marches on a tick-tock rhythm: guitar & piano solos shine brightly
3. 7:27 – tender ballad, opens up very slowly but with a sense of majesty
4. 5:59 – brisk boppish jam blended with a more intimate sound, gets cooking
5. 10:54 – lonely piano intro to a soft, drifting ballad, meanders and rises up
6. 8:58 – uptempo, bustling tune: rolls forward and strikes heroic poses

[ Fo ] - 16 February 2013