Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jeff Johnson - Suitcase
by Ken Dryden, All Music
Bassist Jeff Johnson has gotten recognition for his intuitive playing in Hal Galper's trio. His fifth CD as a leader is a free-spirited affair, where a lot of the music sounds improvised on the spot or with minimal sketches at best. Johnson is heard on both acoustic and Fender basses, and his group includes pianist Steve Moore, drummer Eric Eagle, and multi-reed player Hans Teuber. The opener, "Shake It Off," is a brief free jazz group... read more
Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra - Refractions
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Refractions is a beautiful album, one in which almost everything composer / arranger Kim Richmond touches turns to gold. For one who was largely unimpressed by the Concert Jazz Orchestra's previous endeavors, that's saying a lot. But I'm only too happy to change course and sprinkle praise where it is due. If every album by a "concert orchestra" were as picturesque and persuasive as this one, I'd not hesitate to give all of 'em an... read more
John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by Peter Westbrook, Cadence
Solo guitarist Stowell, heard on Solitary Tales, has a sound harking back to Classical guitar playing with none of the rhythmic stiffness sometimes associated with it. The opening track, "Everything I Love," moves from chiming rubato passages to an improvisation that alternated between thoughtful, climbing episodes and swinging single-note lines. I was reminded of Joe Pass' solo recording for Pablo--but where Pass occasionally overwhelmed me... read more
David Friesen and Glen Moore - Bactrian
by Chris Lunn, Ancient Victorys
This is the third recorded collaboration of these musical giants known for their compositions, bass playing, and associations with each other and other major players and groups. They have toured the United States as a duo and have graced Europe with concerts, clinics, and workshops. Both bass players in a 2006 jazz poll were voted in the top twenty bass players of all time. In this recording, they both play bass (Friesen a Hemage and Moore an... read more
Carl Schultz - The Road to Trantor
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
The label writes about the musician and the album: "While composing for his newest recording, saxophonist Carl Schultz realized he was visualizing rich cinematic landscapes as his tunes were taking form. Likely related to his rereading of Hugo Award winning science fiction books at the time, it made sense to flesh out a complete narrative for the compositions to take, thus The Road to Trantor, the soundtrack of an epic tale that exists only in... read more
Eva Cortes - Crossing Borders
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A crowd funded Latin jazz vocalist funded by a crowd that knows their apples, if this feels like a Brazilian record that you just can't put your finger on, it's because she's from Honduras and the crew is playing with pan Caribbean chops. It might not be Brazilian, but it has all the sound and feel of the Brazilian jazz vocal set you've been jonesing for lately. Killer stuff throughout from an international star that really needs to plant a... read more
Joonsam - A Door
by Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm
There's an unconventional dichotomy of sharp orchestration and quirky eccentricity on this debut from bassist Joonsam Lee. But even in this, it's a little different, as A Door is just as likely to flash some fangs as craft a catchy melody aimed at eliciting a smile and spurring the foot into action. That added dose of the unexpected is a big attraction for the recording, and it's why the likelihood of developing a minor addiction... read more
Human Spirit - Dialogue
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
****4-Stars
Human Spirit continues to shine, this time in a live setting?
Human Spirit is a band headed by Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor, and Matt Jorgensen. Jorgensen's previous CD, Tattooed by Passion, was reviewed here in Oct 2011, and was in my top 10 CDs of that year. It was a tribute to his father-in-law, noted painter Dale Chisman. We also reviewed Marriott's CD, Human Spirit, last April. It featured Taylor,... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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