Through a long life, there have been perhaps half a dozen instances of a piece of music figuratively grabbing me by the throat and DEMANDING my attention, and I'm mesmerized from the very first time I hear it. For whatever reasons (and I wish I had the musical knowledge to identify them), two numbers on this album, "Ups And Downs Interlude" along with "Ups And Downs", are the latest examples of such songs. Even after listening to them for a... read more
Certainly one of 2017's more offbeat releases, The Pythiad refers not to Pythias, wife of Aristotle, but to the Pythia, the high priestess of the oracle at Delphi. Here, in the singing and speech of Cheryl Wilson, she recounts the stories of some of the lesser-known figures of ancient Greek mythology, functioning as a kind of psychotherapist figure. Wilson forges a matter-of-fact, but not-easy-to-achieve vocal simplicity that avoids jazz idioms... read more
With his Origin Records debut CD, Passages, saxophonist Scott Burns has delivered a masterpiece of ingeniously crafted and superbly performed originals. His appealing, intelligent compositions are the perfect showcase for his electrifying energy and sophisticated, sensuous sound. Joined by the Chicago dreamteam of pianist Ron Perrillo, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas, Scott Burns' Passages is one of the most impressive... read more
This is definitely the Christmas CD to get if you want something jazzy and hip and not the same old same old. Of the dozen songs here, I think the only one that was familiar to me was Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings." Didn't know there were so many appropriate popular tunes for the holidays that didn't make the sophisticated listener grimace.
Clipper Anderson reports that he's known as "Mr. Christmas" around the house and has been... read more
The gifted Portland guitarist John Stowell manages to get a record or two per year out there for his loyal listeners to enjoy. This time it is saxman Michael Zilber, who joins Stowell and the quartet before a live audience in Berkeley, California. Stowell and Zilber communicate effortlessly on six originals of varying moods and tempos. There is also one standard; the venerable "My Funny Valentine." and you have never heard it quite like... read more
Finally, drummer Kobie Watkins segues from hard bop to jazz funk to unabashedly romantic balladry in his CD "Involved" (Origin Records). If the constantly shifting jazz languages point to a young musician perhaps trying a bit too hard to show everything he can do, Watkins nonetheless handles it all. He benefits from hard-charging contributions from a cast of Chicago all-stars, particularly saxophonists Jarrard Harris and Geof Bradfield,... read more
DON LANPHERE
June 26, 1928 - October 9, 2003
Don Lanphere, the legendary Wenatchee-born bebop jazz saxophone player who overcame dependence on drugs and alcohol to become one of the deans of Seattle jazz musicians, died yesterday at Group Health Eastside Hospital in Redmond. He was 75.
Mr. Lanphere, of Kirkland, was a regular at jazz events in the region, playing a gig at Tula's, in numerous festivals and as featured tenor... read more
A dazzling exploration of harmonic possibilities, Exploring Mars is a triumph!
A very cerebral recording, Exploring Mars continues his influences drawn from a personal love of science fiction, Exploring Mars embraces an almost three dimensional sonic depth of field. The conceptual aspect causes only few minor bumps in the road as the spoken word passage on the buoyant "Spirit" adds very little if anything to a composition that... 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.
Shawn Purcell - Oblivity
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Nnenna Freelon - Beneath the Skin
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Dave Hanson - Blues Sky
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Carl Schultz - The Road to Trantor
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
John Gunther - Painting the Dream
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Bobby Rozario - Healer
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Russ & Mike, Adult Music Podcast
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Mad Scientist Music
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Bobby Rozario - Healer
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris-Move
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene