Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Joe Locke - Force of Four
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
In the beginning, we had Red Norvo, followed by Lionel Hampton, Magie Hyams, Terry Gibbs, Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader and Gary Burton. They've now been joined by Joe Locke. All are jazz vibraphone artists.
Although a relative youngster (still in is 40s), Locke has been playing the instrument for more than 30 years; his fame has risen during the most recent decade. He began playing with the "big boys" - Gillespie, for example - while still... read more
Michael Zilber - East West: Music for Big Bands
by Marco Cangiano, The New York City Jazz Record
Michael Zilber's resumé is rich and varied, deserving much wider recognition. Originally from Canada, he spent the first part of his career in New York then moved across the country to San Francisco, where he now resides. This is by far his most ambitious project and first recording with big bands, following the very successful Originals for the Originals and the quartets he shared with guitar great John Stowell. Zilber's writing reflects a... read more
Joe Locke - Subtle Disguise
by Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal (London)
It's astonishing to reflect that this super album by vibraphonist Joe Locke is his 36th as a leader. There's nothing about it to dislike, unless it's the fastidiousness that for some might make the arrangements of his tunes feel too neat and its solo eruptions too contained. But that's a reflection of his role as composer - there are just two others represented here: Bob Dylan and Blind Willie Johnson - and compared with many less orderly... read more
Sam Yahel - From Sun to Sun
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
Perhaps best known as a modern purveyor of the Hammond B3 organ, Sam Yahel is no slouch as a pianist. His latest release for Seattle's Origin Records, From Sun to Sun is a stunning example of a forward-thinking piano trio, emphasizing fresh, compositional nuances with deep-in-the-pocket grooves.
Bassist Matt Penman and drummer Jochen Rueckert create an infectious ruckus with tight interaction that at times comes across as nothing short of... read more
Corey Christiansen - La Proxima
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz Halo (Belgium)
On his latest CD 'La Proxima' the American guitarist Corey Christiansen links a modern sharp sound to Cuban polyrhythmics.
By delving into various grooves and rhythms, he inevitably ended up with African roots and traditions. Hence towards Cuba is another logical step. Christiansen himself admits that he had not pretended to make an Afro-Cuban record. He just gets his inspiration from it and then does his thing with it.
He flirts openly... read more
Scenes - Destinations
by Scott Yanow, The New York City Jazz Record
John Stowell is a veteran guitarist who, despite their different sounds and repertoire, can be thought of as a latter-day Jim Hall. Like him, Stowell is consistently relaxed both in his improvising style and in his sound. His choice of notes is advanced yet, due to his tone, his solos often sound soothing. He never plays the obvious and close listening to his playing always reveals plenty of subtle surprises.
Scenes: Destinations is a trio... read more
Florian Hoefner - Luminosity
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review
Furthering his dominance in the sitting down piano jazz field, Hoefner and his long time pals add a vet new kid to the mix on sax as the newly expanded four piece crew seem to assert ownership over cinematic playing that commands your full attention. Practically playing as one, weaving things so seamlessly that they get past you as you get lost in it, this is what so many other ensembles aspire to. Well done stuff with all the sounds your head... read more
Scott Hesse - The Stillness of Motion
by Paul Abella, Music Lounge - WDCB, Chicago
Chicagoan Scott Hesse's got a new trio with bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Makaya McCraven, and they have a new album out on Origin called The Stillness of Motion. For those of you familiar with Jeff Parker's trio, the sound will be familiar - a ripping and supple rhythm section playing alongside a guitarist with an impossibly dry tone that makes each jaw dropping run sound clear as a bell. Wayne Shorter's "Dance Cadaverous" gets a... read more
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