Our member John Stowell has recorded with many different guitarists and on this latest CD he teams up with Swedish guitarist Ulf Bendgren. Ulf currently teaches guitar/ensemble at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg. Both players on this album are playing Mike Doolin guitars, John a nylon string and Ulf a steel string. They have an amazingly warm sound. The opening track is a bright number called ?Five Roses? and after... read more
This 10-tune CD, Bobby Broom's sixth recording as leader, finds the guitarist interpreting jazz and pop standards and contributing three originals with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins.
Broom's airy, mellow-sounding, mainly linear style allows his dynamic drummer to busy up with rim shots and cymbals work. But that doesn't overshadow Broom's brilliant interpretations of pop gems such as Lennon - McCartney's "Can't Buy Me... read more
This is the second album by Jeff Johnson for the Origin label, even though the first Free was recorded at a later date than this session. Using a quartet instead of a trio format, Johnson continues to explore facets of creative, modern jazz but in such a way as not to force listeners to dissociate themselves from the proceedings. While highly exploratory, there is sufficient symmetry and melody to make the music meaningful. Johnson is joined by... read more
Jazz duet playing requires empathy and quick responses, qualities evident in profusion on We Couldn't Agree More. On [this record], Anschell and Jensen make music that is startlingly beautiful, surprising, and powerful. At points, I was reminded of the experiments of Al Cohn and Jimmy Rowlek, the forays of Joel Press and Kyle Aho. But these two players follow their own impulses. While exploring familiar standards and honoring their melodic... read more
New York Voices prove why they have become a vocal jazz institution with Reminiscing in Tempo. The production is a wonderful, eclectic mix of songs by Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Ignacio Cervantes, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The harmonies of the group's Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader and Kim Nazarian are soaring and on-point on every tune. The quality musical performances backing them are... read more
Jessica Williams was 4 when she discovered her grandmother's piano.
By age 7, little Jessica was taking formal lessons; she soon was accepted at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory. While still in her teens, she was playing regularly with a jazz combo; by 20 she had moved to California and literally had her pick of the dozens of groups performing there.
She's a great pianist, and she also writes and arranges prolifically. Her discography... read more
What do you do when you're Jack DeJohnette's piano man and you feel like improvising but ECM tells you the roster is currently full? You call Larry Grenadier and tell him to bring over his bass, then call John Bishop at Origin and say "have I got a deal for you." This set of originals feels more lived in than improv-ed and a smoking time is had by all. Hot stuff from a crew that doesn't need to be told what to... read more
Los Angeles saxophonist Kim Richmond's album Refractions involves a full orchestra of players and that was done for the orchestral effect rather than the big band idiom you would usually expect. Richmond likes to blend concepts from the classical realm with those from the jazz realm, and full classical orchestration is one part of that. The main thrust of this idea is to provide for a deeper, more cinematic sound that is capable of conveying the... 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.
Michael Waldrop - Native Son
by Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
ZurHub - Countryside Motorways
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Mike Pope - The Parts You Keep
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Marc Seales - People & Places
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Harvie S - Bright Dawn
by Ken Dryden, The New York City Jazz Record
Eddie Allen and PUSH - The Rhythm
by Terrell K. Holmes, The New York City Jazz Record
Harvie S - Bright Dawn
by Francesco Spezia, UK Jazz News
Barry Greene - Giants
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris-Move
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move