Life on Earth

Renee Rosnes

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 8, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00005UMTS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,483 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Sparkling technique and dazzling compositions have been Renee Rosnes's forte, making her one of the most consistently satisfying--if not especially adventurous--pianists in jazz. Here she joins with musicians spanning the globe for her first-ever worldbeat foray. Rosnes's Asian heritage makes her a natural for such a project. From the opener, "Empress Afternoon," with its Afro-beat groove and bubbling tabla rhythms, to the explosive soloing in the Brazilian-tinged "Gabriola Passage," Rosnes searches for new experiences. There is plenty of straight-ahead blowing, and Rosnes's band of Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Jeff Watts, and Billy Drummond take no prisoners. But it's the contrast of hearing the bop-skewered "Icelight" next to the chattering "Sengal Son," or a sampled Balinese monkey chant incorporated into the steaming swing of "Hanuman," that makes Life on Earth so compelling and Rosnes's ongoing jazz journey especially fascinating. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is what jazz is all about., February 14, 2002

By	sNap (Canada) - See all my reviews

"Life on Earth" is a great CD. What I love about jazz the most is the freedom that it gives musicians to explore rythms, sounds and melodies. This album takes full advantage of that freedom in integrating music from other cultures, and in exploring so many different musical ideas. It is not like me to play a cd over and over, but I have listened to Life on Earth at least 10 times during the last few days. Each time a little more of the music reveals itself to me.

Renee Rosnes is, in my view, an unappreciated talent, and a truely original artist. Her compositions come across as being written for the sure joy of capturing life's experiences in music, and her playing conveys that joy beautifully.

All of Ms. Rosnes albums are worth owning, and "Life on Earth" is a good place to start your collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful!, January 31, 2002

By A Customer

Admittedly, I have been a "sometime" fan of Ms. Rosnes, having picked up a few of her CDs over the years. But after reading a positive review of this CD and its exploration of fusing jazz with World Beats, I immediately ordered it. And it has not been off my player since it arrived! Along with a track featuring Steve Turre and with a beautifully moody piece called "Ballad of the Sad Young Men", this CD sweeps you away with the images it conjures. Amazing!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing, March 3, 2003

By	krc.nyc (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

I bought this CD after seeing Ms. Rosnes with Lewis Nash at Lincoln Center. Her playing there was so mind bending that I had to find out more about her as an artist. This CD is utterly fantastic. Of course I expected the virtuousity...but the sheer beauty of the compositions; such wonderful songs, arrangements, lines and sounds....I doubt that one could ever find a more exceptional group of personnel on any musical project. This piece of work is such an enourmous musical experience it's impossible to encapsulate it using words. If you love the types of musical expression that simply reach inside of you, I highly reccommend this!