Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jon Hamar - Hymn
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
Seattle bassist Hamar must have had a premonition. Just how would a trio without a drummer go over? And so, on this recording, he works only with Geoffrey Keezer, piano, and Todd DelGiudice, alto saxophone. Without a drummer, there?s a stronger sense of intimacy and communication among the three players, and the result is impressive. The song list includes a few tips of the hat to fellow bassists with ?Falling Grace,? a near standard by Steve... read more
The Spin Quartet - In Circles
by Don Lerman, Cadence
The Spin Quartet consists of top-notch musicians who carve out an interesting group identity on In Circles. The absence of a piano or guitar from the instrumentation of two horns, bass, and drums gives clarity and an open quality to the music, aided by the fine writing from mostly band members. Trumpeter/flugelhornist Chad McCullough wrote five of the pieces, with the subdued "Oranges Are Supposed to be Orange" and bright-eyed "Haberdasher"... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
*INDISPENSABLE* If the quality of the albums we received in 2024 showed steady improvement, the offerings of 2025 have, from the very start of the year, unleashed a veritable explosion of multifaceted talent. Among these, we find Brad Goode—a trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and prodigiously gifted composer—whose artistry shines through in this release. The music is rich, intricate, and particularly compelling in its arrangements.... read more
Jack Mouse - Range of Motion
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Jack Mouse drives a team with Scott Robinson/woodwinds, Art Davis/tp-fh, John McLean/g and Bob Bowman or Kelly Sill/b. Mouse?s compositions have a lithe melodicism to them, with themes from ?LaPorta? or ?Hip Check? veering into solos at a whim. There is definitely a pocket for the band to groove on, but it?s about as deep as one on Karma Jeans, as McLean?s fuzzy electric guitar goes more vertical than horizontal in... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Robert Silverstein, Roots Music Report
RMR presents an interview with MAJA JAKU
RMR: Tell us about growing up in Kosovo. Did you leave Kosovo because of the war, and how did growing up in a war zone affect you on a personal and professional basis and when did you arrive in Austria? And tell us about your diverse musical influences while you were growing up.
MAJA JAKU: I grew up in Kosovo, in a deeply musical family. My uncle was a bass guitarist, and... read more
Ben Thomas - Triskaidekaphobia
by George Fendel, Jazz Scene
Right off the bat, let's get to this rather unwieldy title. According to the album notes, the group recorded an untitled tune in 13/4 time. Acknowledging the challenge of such a meter, one of the players stated "all the more reason to fear the number 13." And that, apparently, is what this 17 letter word means: fear of the number 13. Okay with me, although I couldn't find it in my dictionary. Anyway, it's nice to see a younger generation... read more
Joachim Mencel - Brooklyn Eye
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing both piano and hurdy-gurdy, Joachim Mencel creates a wide variety of atmospheres with his post bop team of guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Rudy Royston. Colley and Royston are most flexible here, creating a circle dance on the dramatic "I'm Yo Man", mixing suave brushes and beat on "The Things" and rocking out with Cardenas on "The Last Of The Mohicans". Mencel's piano touch is modern and confident here, while... read more
Marc Seales - People & Places
by Rudolf Radnai, avxforum.hu (Budapest)
Born in 1954, Marc Seales retired this year as a professor of jazz studies at the University of Washington, but his musical career is certainly not over, as evidenced by his new album People & Places, on which he can be heard with saxophonist Ernie Watts. The quartet is completed by bassist Bruce Lett and drummer Moyes Lucas Jr. One of the highlights of the album is an energetic version of Wayne Shorter's 1977 Heavy Weather classic,... read more
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