Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jim Gailloreto Jazz String Quintet - The Pythiad
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Take some lesser Greek mythology, mix it with some 50s flavored jazz into classical and you get a modern thing that sounds like it could be equally at home with the art minded or as a diversion for kids almost ala "Peter & the Wolf". Not exactly something you'd expect to be coming out of Chicago, this is a wild and wonderful set that exists in a time zone all it's... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Wonderful!
by Brian Vincent Pace, The Pace Report
During the mid-1950's a musical innovator was making waves in jazz music by playing the organ. Jimmy Smith had sonically taken the Hammond B-3 and played with either a quartet or trio that changed and gave way for how blues, gospel, soul, and jazz music was played forever. Although the organ trio wasn't nothing new at the time, Jimmy took what heard from his influences like Wild Bill Davis, Count Basie, and Fats Waller and did some heavy... read more
John McLean - Better Angels
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Guitarist John McLean's Better Angels is certainly difficult to classify. Some pieces, such as "Ready for the War," come across as modern pop. Others are closer to the music of the Pat Metheny Group, while a few tunes are modernized swing standards including one of the strangest versions of "Airmail Special" one will ever hear. While there are some individual spots, the emphasis during most of the selections is on the haunting ensemble sound... read more
Tad Britton - Black Hills
by Ruth Milne, Rapid City Journal
Like many musicians, Black Hills native Tad Britton displayed his talents early in life. In fact, one title for his autobiography could be, "From Spoons to Snare Drums: The Journey of Jazz Drummer Tad Britton."
As a toddler growing up in Sturgis, Britton's "daycare center" was his grandmother's house, where she would set pots and pans and a couple wooden spoons on the floor for the young boy to blissfully bang upon for hours on end.
"It was... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Williams, the Triple Door?s Steinway and the Seattle theater restaurant?s audience collaborate on yet another album of solo pieces by the pianist. The audience gets credit because their attentiveness, appreciation and courtesy help establish the atmosphere in which Williams creates seven pieces comprising a collection unlike any other in her vast discography. You can almost hear the audience listening.
For all of its suggestions of... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Dance Music
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Anthony Branker directs his sextet Ascent in this stunning collection of originals. "The Renewal" is an insistent post-bop vehicle with fiery solos by alto saxophonist Tia Fuller and trombonist Clifford Adams, Jr. and tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen, followed by Jonny King's driving McCoy Tyner-influenced piano. The hip "Dance Music" is a trio showcase for Bowen, bassist Kenny Davis, and drummer Adam Cruz. The hard-charging post-bop vehicle "The... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Dance Party
by Paul Abella, Chicago jazz.com
Since Brad Goode left Chicago a few years back, he's been on a tear, recording three CD's in three years. His latest, on Origin Records, is by far the best of the bunch. Finally, with the aid of a band willing to play his tunes the way that he wanted to write them, Goode can be heard in a whole new light. And in a light that takes him from being "another good trumpeter" to being in a class all his own.
Polytonal Dance Party is a fantastic... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Winter Games
by Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
The 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy have passed into history, leaving us with many golden moments and some musical memories from composer David Foster, who wrote the Olympic theme music. German composer/arranger and bandleader Chris Walden, who has written over 400 arrangements for big band and symphony orchestra throughout his career, penned his own jazzy version of Foster's theme in tribute to the Olympics.
In a followup to his... read more
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