Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Anthony Branker - Beauty Within
by Philip Booth, JazzTimes
Composer-arranger Anthony Branker, former longtime jazz studies guru at Princeton, turns to his new Imagine quintet for his latest set of forward-looking acoustic-electric pieces. From the titles to the haunting, sometimes meditative textures, a spiritual core seems to inform these imaginative compositions, brought to life via a band featuring saxophonist Ralph Bowen, a longtime Branker associate, and guitarist Pete McCann.
That yearning... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Paul Reynolds, All About Jazz
A tribute to a pop artist by jazz musicians—as with the new David Bowie album by Chicago's Metropolitan Jazz Octet—has to tread a careful line. It obviously won't—can't—be a rote reproduction of the originals, a flaw that sinks many pop-to-pop tributes. Yet it needs to translate the songs into jazz—its harmonic sophistication, especially—in a way that retains the essence of the artist being celebrated.
The MJO effort deftly rises... read more
Clay Giberson - Spaceton's Approach
by Jan P. Dennis, Audiophile Audition
Relaxed, long-legged piano trio music of high achievement. 4-1/2 STARS
If there is a criticism to be leveled at this lovely music, it is that it proceeds at such a leisurely, unhurried pace as to lull the unwary listener into complacency. But hold on. Why not just juice up one's listening acumen? Wouldn't that solve the problem? Yes, but not everyone will either have the capacity, inclination, or patience to do... read more
Hal Galper - E Pluribus Unum - Live in Seattle
by Ethan Krow, Audiophile Audition
Hal Galper has often worked best with small bands. He flourishes when working with a simple trio of piano, with drum and bass, especially in the last few decades. On his latest release with Origin E Pluribus Unum: Live In Seattle he reunites with bassist Jeff Johnson from 2006's Furious Rubato and brings in drummer John Bishop for a wonderful night including several compositions by Galper and a few delightful covers.
Irving Berlin's... read more
2x2: Galvao/Santiago/Landais/Enouf - 2x2
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
The co-op team of Sergio Galvao/ts-ss, Lupa Santiago/g, Clement Landais/b and Franck Enouf/dr deliver 9 fresh originals. The feel is fluid and lithe, with Galvao's serene soprano on the tensile "Sans Gluten," or dancing along Landais' bass line on the lively "Rouen Donato." His warm tenor flows with Santiago's #2 pencil tone on the flowing "Traffic D'Affluence" or chomping and comping together on the mix of Memphis and Brazil during "Nao... read more
Nick Finzer - The Chase
by Travis Rogers, Jr., The Jazz Owl
Any list of promising young trombonists has got to include Nick Finzer at or near the top. In "The Chase" (Origin Records 82693), his second album as leader, Finzer brings along the best and the brightest: Pianist Glenn Zaleski, Saxman Lucas Pino, guitarist Alex Wintz, Dave Baron on bass and Jimmy Macbride on drums. From the very first track, these guys smoke.
That first track is "Life Happens." Glenn Zaleski starts the album with Finzer and... read more
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Michael Doherty, Music Log
I've been residing in Los Angeles for approximately two decades, and there are things I've come to really love about this city. Certain places, certain buildings, even certain roads. There really is a special feel to this city, which when looked at in a certain light can be almost magical. Fellow Los Angeles resident Josh Nelson explores different areas of the city on his new album, The Sky Remains. He is interested in capturing and conveying... read more
Joonsam - A Door
by Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm
There's an unconventional dichotomy of sharp orchestration and quirky eccentricity on this debut from bassist Joonsam Lee. But even in this, it's a little different, as A Door is just as likely to flash some fangs as craft a catchy melody aimed at eliciting a smile and spurring the foot into action. That added dose of the unexpected is a big attraction for the recording, and it's why the likelihood of developing a minor addiction... read more
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