Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
John Stowell / Michael Zilber - Basement Blues
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
With a sound reminiscent of how it was with Oregon when they were transitioning from Elektra to ECM, this crew has the modern sweet spot well in hand where many things merge into a sound at once familiar but thoroughly it's own. A real treat for those that still remember how it was when you could make music in the marketplace that wasn't required to swing for the fences under a pile of notes. Hey, we know there's always been meddling executive... read more
Richard Sussman - Live at Sweet Rhythm
by Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Pianist Sussman was a young player on the NYC loft scene back in the late '70s when he gathered a few of his friends together and made a record. The result was Free Fall, a record that received critical acclaim, but without the financial reward to enable Sussman to keep the band together. The keyboard player ended up teaching at the Manhattan School of Music, writing music for television, work with Hank Jones and even touring with Blood Sweat &... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
There can hardly be a better occasion to celebrate the unfettered energy of "live" music than this 1977 performance of the Hal Galper Quintet. In fact, it would never be hyperbolic to suggest that it stands out as one of the greatest "live" performances by a group of musicians...ever. It is dark - beautifully so - and the music takes you to another world altogether. It is a world full of mysterious depths, expectations, doubts, and hopes. It... read more
Cathy Segal-Garcia & Phillip Strange - Live in Japan
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The superb voice of Cathy Segal-Garcia meets the fluid piano prowess of Phillip Strange here, where their dynamic chemistry is highlighted across two discs of tunes that were recorded in Osaka, Japan way back in December of 1992.
"I'm In The Mood For Love" starts the musical portion of the set with the pair interacting with much grace and playfulness in the cozy, classic tune that incorporates some charming scatting, and "You've Changed"... read more
Joachim Mencel - Brooklyn Eye
by Sebastian Chosiński, Esensja (Poland)
Dreams are there to make them come true! Polish jazz pianist (also playing the hurdy-gurdy) Joachim Mencel dreamed of recording an album in New York for years, with American artists accompanying him. The assumption was that the music was also inspired by North America. All this was achieved in one fell swoop thanks to the publishing house "Brooklyn Eye".
In Poland, Joachim Mencel does not have to prove anything to anyone. For years,... read more
John Wojciechowski - Focus
by Carol Banks Weber, AXS
There are times when you just want saxophonist John Wojciechowski, 41, to go on forever. "Elegy" is one of those times. The smooth jazz jutting up against the brusque cliffhangers of tonal disposition is among 10 very originally sounding tracks off the Chicago composer's new album, Focus.
Originally from Detroit, the saxophonist moved to Chicago and took it over since 2002. On Focus, he and his quartet - drummer Dana Hall, pianist... read more
Chad McCullough | Michal Vanoucek - The Sky Cries
by Ken Watkins, Greatest Jazz Blog
As in last year's excellent 'Dark Wood, Dark Water', Chad McCullough teams up with saxophonist Mark Taylor ? also featured on Randy Halberstadt's recent 'Flash Point' - and two other mainstays of the North West jazz scene, Dave Captein (bass) and Matt Jorgensen (drums). The added dimension on 'The Sky Cries' is Slovakian pianist Michal Vanoucek.
It is probably too easy to say that Michal Vanoucek brings a classical European sensibility (the... read more
Kim Richmond / Clay Jenkins Ensemble - CrossWeave
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
CrossWeave's opener, Troubleshooter," drives in on a tight rhythm groove that leads into some clean three horn harmony by trumpeter Clay Jenkins, alto saxophonist Kim Richmond, and tenor sax man Rich Perry, with a sound that harkens back to the classic Blue Note Records days, some of those classic sets by Lee Morgan and Art Blakey. A tight, shining ensemble mode with sharp soloing all around.
CrossWeave is the third disc by the... read more
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