*2024 stock* "Nature rejoices in simplicity. And nature is no fool, as Isaac Newton knew. A tree. A fruit. A touch. A look. A flavour that awakens memories. A sound that transports us to a foreign land and back to ourselves. Like that of Kurt Rosenwinkel and his baritone guitar on these eight, with one exception, completely improvised solo pieces. This music is much more than the skilful ordering of notes. It is intoxication and clarity, calm and movement. And because there is only one musician and his instrument to be heard here, admittedly one whom Eric Clapton admires as a genius and about whom his high school friend Questlove Dude is God tweets, there is also a superficial simplicity at play. Without tricks and the double bottom of overdubs or loops, but with all the complexity and inscrutability that also characterises nature.
This album is called Berlin Baritone because it was created there and somehow sounds like the city where Kurt Rosenwinkel has lived for fifteen years. Berlin is beautiful in a certain way, he says. It's great for cycling and I love the culture of the cafés and restaurants, this very accessible street life. I actually even like the weather here and enjoy these overcast winters because I like to stay indoors and play guitar or make music in my studio.
It's not supposed to be easy to play the baritone guitar. At least much harder than any other. Kurt Rosenwinkel waves it off. When the instrument offers such a deep world of sound and beauty, I can easily lose myself in the music. And I find the lower range more satisfying than that of a normal guitar. Yes, the baritone guitar is a little more difficult to play in comparison. But that just leads to different musical things. It is also through this adept lostness in the instrument's sound universe that Berlin Baritone is a collection of snapshots for the ages. Peace Please sets the tone. On Just Chillin, this folk-song-like melodious flow of songs, Rosenwinkel and his instrument literally sing. The fact that Under It All, the only composition on this album, fits in completely naturally alongside the other improvisations, such as the sound-painting Life Of A Flower or a meaningful tribute to the philosopher Zarathustra, speaks volumes for Kurt Rosenwinkel and his musicality. And somehow also suits Berlin.
The most beautiful harmony, also a quote from mathematician Newton, is created by bringing opposites together." - Götz Bühler
