Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Peter Epstein and Idée Fixe - Abstract Realism
by Stef Gijssels, Freejazz Blog
As a leader, saxophonist Peter Epstein released three modern jazz CDs, one Portuguese CD, a solo sax record with some classical music and some improvisations, a fantastic world jazz album ("Lingua Franca"), and all this in a quite irregular time span, of which most ten years ago and not much lately.
He is a musician with broad technical skills, open to many genres, and that seems to have been his problem in creating a specific profile.... read more
Anthony Branker & Imagine - Songs My Mom Liked
by Richard Kamins, Step Tempest
There are many listeners of contemporary music no matter the genre are usually looking for spiritual uplift. Listeners say they love technical prowess or "new" sounds but what makes us return to music is how it moves us. Music is a "full-body experience" - for this listener, it usually starts with moving my feet, then enters into my brain, and finally into my heart. If it feels "real nice", play it twice. That's why I like the music of John... read more
Aaron Germain - Chance
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Inventive world beat jazz. Nothing so radical about that, or is there? This bass led, international quartet lives up to the elements on the hype sheet. Intertwining Weather Report with Headhunters with various world sounds, this crew does it all and does it on point in a creative and fascinating way. Top shelf stuff for the sitting down jazz fan, it?s not egghead jazz---it reaches down and strikes a variety of primal chords you might not have... read more
Dmitri Matheny - Cascadia
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
4-STARS Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny and his quintet play perfectly on Cascadia. There is no surprise there—with a rhythm section of pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Phil Sparks and drummer Mark Ivester backing the front line of Matheny and saxophonist Charles McNeil— perfection is the expectation.
Matheny grew up in Georgia and Arizona, spent a formative and near-obligatory stint in New York City, and played for a time in the band... read more
Hal Galper Trio - Invitation to Openness
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
4-STAR Pianist Hal Galper turned away from the life of touring in 2000, and eased into "the shed," to work on some innovative ideas that would change the shape of the piano trio. Rubato is where he went—a style of playing that stretches time, making it flexible, unpredictable and free. It takes special trio mates to assist in this, and he found them in his East Coast Trio, with bassist Tony Marino and drummer Billy Mintz, eventually,... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
Ben Thomas makes music in a world where tradition and innovation meet. He is deeply rooted in the authentic rhythms of Argentine tango, yet his spirit has a more modern perspective. Consequently, his compositions combine the traditional with the contemporary.
Opening with "The Promise of Morning" Gabe Hall-Rodrigues sets the tone on his piano. The band joins in with the bandoneon of Ben Thomas played prominently. A ballad called "Sonia's... read more
Hal Galper - O's Time
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
50 years in, Galper has done an enviable job of keeping jazz piano trio fresh, creative and insightful. Even when playing a chestnut, it's not about playing pretty for the people, it's about making them sit up and listen, and he does it without hitting you over the head. Successfully taking bop into the new century, Galper is on the money throughout with restless creativity that draws you in and keeps you there. Well done... read more
Bill Anschell - Improbable Solutions
by Russell Perry, WTJU
Over the past 40 years, you could count on releases from pianist Bill Anschell (Nneena Freelon) to be acoustic piano fare ... until now. While the additional layer of sonic busy-ness didn't do anything for me, Dan McClenaghan of AllAboutJazz thought otherwise, "The results of Anschell's "out of his comfort zone" project is gratifying. He uses the electronics deftly, adding washes that sound like cool breezes wafting down the river valley, eerie... read more
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