Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Mad Scientist Music
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Barely has the coffee settled on the desk, the CD slipped into the player, my eyes still heavy with sleep, rain drumming against the window, silence enveloping the room—when the first notes of "We're Back, Baby!" explode into the air. Wow! It's a blast! Rarely have I heard a group so electrifying, especially within such a complex musical architecture. This album is nothing short of staggering—one of the most astonishing things I've ever... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by John Frederick Moore, Jazziz
There's long been a spiritual component to Jessica Williams' work, but rarely has it been as explicit as it is on this set of solo piano pieces. Taken from live performances in Seattle over a three-year period,the seven selections are largely spontaneous improvisations, and that raw creativity is what makes this disc so satisfying, both musically and emotionally.
At first blush, these pieces seem to fall into the category of brooding,... read more
Anne Drummond - Revolving
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
After spending the last decade working with the kind of jazzbos that figured out how to avoid being a starving artist without selling out, Drummond continues to step out on her own, spreading her wings farther with each outing. It's unavoidable acknowledging the DNA behind this recording---jazz, new age, world, some saloon, some samba, some classical, some Herbie Mann excursions into all of the above---but it's also unavoidable acknowledging... read more
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio - Triple Exposure
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
4-STARS For most, a triangle is the shape that readily springs to mind when analyzing, discussing, and/or conceptualizing a trio. There's no mistaking roles and positions, after all, when there are three clearly defined sides. A circle, on the other hand, offers no beginning, no middle, and no end. In many ways it's a better analog for a band, but only if the shape fits. Needless to say, when it comes to the musical marriage of bassist... read more
Bad Luck - Four
by Scott Murphy, Heavy Blog
Bad Luck - Four (ambient jazz, avant-garde jazz)
Man, what a great album to kick off the column with. The first of my two numerically-titled picks is also the most easily-labeled "jazz" album of all my selections from the past few months. This isn't meant as a knock against Bad Luck, the moniker of duo Neil Welch (saxophone, live electronics) and Christopher Icasiano (drums). I'm guilty of seeking out the most non-jazz jazz albums I can... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Imaginary Sketches
by Peter De Backer, Jazzmozaek, April 2011
This music is moving, very melodic, and lyrical, with nicely building solos - like in "Another Dark Ballad," where Weijters is at his best. People who love accessible, but tasteful mainstream jazz, are well served with this CD.
(translated from... read more
Anthony Branker - Beauty Within
by Jay Hunter, Nippertown (Albany, NY)
2016 TOP 10 Composer/arranger Anthony Branker doesn't play on his own pieces; like Maria Schneider, he's got people for that. But where Schneider literally needs an army to paint her pastoral pictures, Branker employs an uber-tight quintet of notorious killers to conjure music that soothes your soul one moment, then goes for your throat the next - on the same tune! The front line of saxman Ralph Bowen, guitarist Pete McCann and pianist... read more
Ben Thomas - The Mystagogue
by John Barrett, Jr., Jazz USA
Power -it's here by the truckload. While Ben Thomas brings his mallets down hard, his band stretches in serpentine, Zappa-like themes. There's tons of sustain on the title track, endless harmony for the drums to crash against. After Ben's mighty solo, we hear Eric Likkel's nervous clarinet, waddling with delight. His notes are delicate, and somehow fit amidst all this power. What is a mystagogue? Judging by the tune, something wonderful.... read more
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