Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Hal Galper - E Pluribus Unum - Live in Seattle
by Bob Weinberg, Jazziz, Summer 2010
There's nothing delicate about this robust trio led by pianist Hal Galper. Negotiating tangled, knotty skeins of melody, harmony and rhythm, Galper, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop vigorously comb through Galper-penned dazzlers such as "Rapunzel's Luncheonette," and apply the same spirited precision to Ellington's "Take the Coltrane." Even playing it cool, as they do on Galper's lovely "Soliloquy," the trio never sounds... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by Pat Nason, Washington Times (UPI)
Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 22 (UPI) -- Chris Walden had steady work as a film and TV composer in his native Germany, but his profile there really started to rise after he left his home several years ago to work in Hollywood.
The 38-year-old native of Hamburg grew up in a musical family, as the son of a Swiss soprano. He began his music career in the late 1980s, while still in his teens, composing for the German National Youth Jazz Orchestra and for... read more
Clay Giberson - Minga Minga
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Improv solo piano recorded and written in honor of his newly born daughter, Gilberson stride that jazz/new age/contemporary instrumental line with great aplomb and shows that he can satisfy the ears quite by his lonesome. A sitting down date that requires your attention without demanding it, this is some pretty top shelf solo piano... read more
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble - The Atwood Suites
by Stuart Derdeyn, London Free Press
I'll leave it to bandleader/saxophonist/composer Rathburn to describe his concept with this recording: "A setting of Margaret Atwood's poetry for jazz orchestra, sung by Luciana Souza, with special guests Bill Stewart (drummer) and Tim Hagans (trumpet)."
The 10 tracks over two albums are broken into the two three-part suites (Two Islands I, II, III and Power Politics I, II, III) and four other pieces and the playing is gorgeously understated... read more
Geof Bradfield - melba!
by Jeff Tamarkin, JazzTimes
The Melba of the title is Liston, a trombonist, composer, and arranger who built a formidable reputation in a mostly male world both as a leader and in her arranging and playing with Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey, Count Basie and, especially, beginning in the late 50's Randy Weston. Weston gives saxophonist and clarinetist Bradfield his blessing in the album's liner notes, and the acclaim is deserved.... read more
Hadley Caliman - Gratitude
by John Barron, All About Jazz.com
Legendary west coast saxophonist Hadley Caliman made his mark by touring and recording with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson and Santana. For Gratitude, his first recording as a leader in three decades, Caliman is joined by vibist Joe Locke, bassist Phil Sparks, drummer Joe LaBarbera and trumpeter Thomas Marriott, who also produced the recording.
The disc opens with Marriott's "Back For More," a 6/8 minor blues.... read more
Jessica Williams - With Love
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Successful musicians play "the truth." If you want to hear some truth there are certain artists you can seek out. Thelonious Monk couldn't play anything but the truth, right from the beginning. Pianist Jessica Williams came upon the truth - a purer form of it, at least - after experiencing "the fix of Illness" that she has discussed on her website and in interviews. Her first "fix" came about via her struggle with hypothyroidism, and... read more
Shawn Purcell - 180
by Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
Guitarist Shawn Purcell, who is based in the Washington DC area, worked with the U.S. Air Force's The Airmen Of Note for 15 years and with the US Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble. He has appeared on over 30 recordings including with singer Darden Purcell, tenor-saxophonist Chip McNeill and trombonist Ben Patterson. In 2019 he led his first album, Symmetricity, and the recent 180 (his debut for the Origin label) proves to be a giant step... read more
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