How can two hands playing piano sound like John Coltrane playing saxophone. Jessica Williams' do. The number of albums she has recorded over a stellar thirty-five year career is astounding. Her last album Touch is in Dan McClenaghan's Top Ten for 2010 on AllAboutJazz ? AND Scott Yanow's Top Ten for 2010 in JazzTimes.
And who do we find her playing with? Portland musicians: drummer Mel Brown and bassist Dave Captein.
The album.... read more
Tenor saxophonist Roxy Coss' new album "Restless Idealism" takes its title from a Hunter S. Thompson quote. It's a concept album of sorts, examining dynamics between hope and cynicism, alienation and intimacy. Coss writes vivid, purposeful songs without words and plays with an uncluttered, often smoky tone reminiscent of Harry Allen.
Don't Cross the Coss, a catchy swing shuffle, makes an excellent, subtly amusing opening number. See. a... read more
The title of this release aptly describes the various grooves cultivated by veteran Chicago drummer Jack Mouse. At times caught up in delightful swing, as on "The Breezeling," and at other times deliberately funky, as on "Hip Check," Mouse propels his bandmates forward with a fresh combination of energy and finesse. Guitarist John McLean, who at times conjures up a John Scofield vibe, trumpeter Art Davis and saxophonist Scott Robinson... read more
The always exciting saxophonist Jordan VanHemert is joined by Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker and Lewis Nash for these 9 rich and colorful jazz tracks.
The textured and melodic "Here And Now" starts with Stafford's soulful trumpet amid Sung's mature keys and Nash's light drumming, and "Tread Lightly" follows with scrappy drums and Whitaker's playful bass that suit VanHemert's bright sax bouts.
Landing the middle... read more
This is a very intriguing album. The two artists blend elements of classical, jazz, and folk music. Bisio is a melodic and immensely talented bassist. Listing Hill as "voice" is too simplistic.
He sings and chants as a lead and as an accompaniment. The Tibetan chanting, referred to as throat singing, coupled with a jazz bass gives this album an otherworldly sound. It was well recorded in one continuous take on an afternoon.
Tibetan... read more
Here's a soothingly swinging album by a quartet lead by saxist Michael Zilber and guitarist John Stowell. Together with John Shifflett/b and Jason/dr they mix a pair of covers with their own well crafted and wide ranging originals.
Zilber's tenor is rich and full on the kinetic read of Bill Evans' "Very Early" while he gets warm and bluesy on the spacious "Violin Memory." He gets a bit fragmented with Stowell on the bopping interpretation... read more
Music composed by Doug Lofstrom is deliciously performed by the Russian String Orchestra, conducted by Misha Rachlevsky on this rich collection of original and fresh classical works. There are four major pieces, all of which brim over with musicality and grace. A three piece "Music For Strings" includes rich Britten-esque lilts, rich pizzicato'd swayings and a dramatic climax. "Concerto For String Orchestra" as gentle pleadings as well as... read more
Piano legend Hal Galper shows his post bop chops in high quality form at this gig in Edmonton, Canada with his team of Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr. The Getz/Baker alumnus shows pristine and lovely work on the lyrical "Artist" while digging deep with the mates on the modal "Scufflin'". The three form a hip groove on "Israel" with Johnson giving thoughtful intros to the scrambling "Cubist" and slapping the sucker on the bluesy "Scene West"... 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.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect