Rough translation from German - This new album is the latest of the Quartet, which was published by De Werf Records in Belgium and Origin Records in the U.S. Previously "Imaginary Sketches" (WERF 088) and "Urban Nightingale" (WERF 108) were published and highly praised by the trade press. The audience was very impressed by these recordings by the pianist Bram Weijters. Weijters also part of the ensemble of bassist Piet Verbist called... read more
Bassist Piet Verbist brings his compositions to the table with Bart Borremans/ts, Bram Weuters/p, and Dre Pallemaerts-Wim Eggermont/dr. Verbst's bass is sonorous and reflective on his solo piece "Mygratum" and uses his strings to lead into pieces like the spacious and sparkling "Hope in Despair" and serpentine "Devious Ways." Weijters is peppy on the upbeat boppers "Bright Minor" and "Blues Excuse, as Borremans creates warm and long shadows on... read more
In 1979, pianist Richard Sussman's recording Free Fall was released on Inner City to some acclaim. Now, over three decades later, Sussman brings back his band mates from the seventies to perform on Live at Sweet Rhythm. Chief among them is trumpeter Tom Harrell, who gives further evidence that he is a genius of improvisation.
Besides Harrell, Jerry Bergonzi contributes much with his powerful John Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophone. All are... read more
After a decade of playing together, the trio Scenes has developed a large measure of cohesiveness. They play well individually and function at a high level as a team. Here they perform their own unique versions of Wayne Shorter's "Black Eyes," Herbie Hancock's "Chan's Song," and John Coltrane's "Resolution," along with three originals by Stowell and four by Johnson. Their own tunes are accessibly melodic, some of them being in conventional song... read more
R|E|D|S is a quartet made up of an American expatriate and three Danes: baritone saxophonist Ed Epstein, guitarist Bjarne Roupe, bassist Goran Schelin and drummer Dennis Drud. Epstein and Roupe are close friends, and the saxophonist wanted a vehicle in which to collaborate with the guitarist. With this exegesis, the quartet was born.
The baritone saxophone makes for a challenging combo leader, in much the same way a football defensive back... read more
Stereotypes be damned: Drummers can be creative spark plugs at the head of a band, regardless of where they sit on stage. Sometimes, they're blessed with a greater sense of musical overview than other instrumentalists. It makes sense, coming from musicians who juggle support and expression on a continuous basis. Two recent releases by lesser-known drummer-leaders worth watching sport an impressive overall musicality. Steve Korn's debut album as... read more
This quartet session, led by sax player Alex Graham, takes a crack at showing off all that can be right with a quartet in the post-bop era. The tone is generally light, with a fair amount of call and response between Graham's sax and the rhythm section. Generally the demeanor is bouncing, almost like an updated Sunny Side of the Street. The band deals well with originals as well as nice pieces from Wayne Shorter and even a small-band arrangement... read more
Debut effort from this trio which includes Peter Epstein(reeds), Larry Engstrom(trp) & David Ake(p). Title could not be more apt for the CD is a spacious, mellow set of music where emphasis is less is... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Peter Erskine & The JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Vienna to Hollywood: Impressions of E.W. Korngold & Max Steiner
by Bill Milkowski, DownBeat
David Friesen - A Light Shining Through
by Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist - New Releases for Libraries
Michael Dease - Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill
by MICHAEL STÃœRM, Jazz Podium (Germany)
Peter Erskine & The JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Vienna to Hollywood: Impressions of E.W. Korngold & Max Steiner
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Peter Erskine & The JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Vienna to Hollywood: Impressions of E.W. Korngold & Max Steiner
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Karrin Allyson - A Kiss for Brazil
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Ruud Jonker, FWD Magazine (Netherlands)
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Groove Junkies
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect