Arrangers Carlos Azevedo, Pedro Guedes and Ohad Talmor manage to maintain the small group flavor of pieces such as the title track, "The Cloister" and "Zhivago," while realizing the orchestral potential inherent in the music's sound compositional structures. While the coloring of the expanded ensemble enhances Rosenwinkel's original harmonic/melodic imprint, the main attraction is the graceful dance of guitar soloing heard on each track. The open blowing sections devoted to Rosenwinkel are plentiful and lengthy. An abundance of ideas, lyrical flow and impeccable technique create an ear-catching intensity, especially on the palpitating "Dream of the Old" and the ballad "Use of Light" with some of the disc's most interesting arranging.
It's no small task fronting a big band, especially through an entire disc of demanding material. Rosenwinkel is up for the challenge, leaving little doubt about his stature as a towering figure among jazz guitarists.
