Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Dan Cray - Meridies
by George Colligan, Jazz Truth
Every time I turn around, there is a another great jazz pianist. (I think we need to put a cap on the number of great pianists. Just kidding.....) Dan Cray is the latest to cross my path. His new CD, "Meridies", showcases his sparkling technique and intriguing musicianship. It's a disc that has some trio and some quartet. It's a very warm and balanced sounding album, and it's got some edge without being jarring. From the first track,... read more
Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - East-West Trumpet Summit
by Mark Holston, Jazziz
Trumpet players have a well-deserved reputation for machismo. Put two jazz trumpeters in the same studio at the same time and the testosterone count is sure to jump. In the case of veteran Ray Vega and relative newcomer Thomas Marriott, however, the emphasis of this warm-blooded session is on mutual respect, not one-upmanship, as they partner in a "summit" format that has been employed over the decades by some of jazzdom's greatest horn... read more
EEA - The Dark
by Thomas R. Erdmann, Jazz Review
EEA is constructed of three members from the Program for Improvisational Music at the University of Nevada-Reno. Saxophonist Peter Epstein earned his Bachelor's degree at the California Institute of the Arts and his Master's degree was earned where he currently teaches. During his professional career he has worked with artists like Bobby Previte, Brad Shepik, Ralph Alessi, Michael Cain, Ravi Coltrane, Mike Stern and Jim Black, to name a few.... read more
Brittany Anjou - Enamigo Reciprokataj
by Mel Minter, Musically Speaking
When an improvising jazz musician relaxes the reins and lets the music go where it wants, the level of excitement can jump dramatically. Spitfire pianist/composer Brittany Anjou does just that on her new album, Enamiĝo Reciprokataj (pronounced en-äh-mee-joh reh-sih-pro-käh-tye and roughly translated from the Esperanto as either "reciprocal love" or "mutual breakdown"). Throughout the album's 10 original compositions, written across 13 years,... read more
Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time
by Dorothea Gängel, Jazz'n'More (Switzerland)
Chicago-born saxophonist Maddie Vogler presents nine pieces on her debut album that reflect her exploration of her Cuban roots. Energetic, rhythmic and yet full of melodic gentleness, the original compositions showcase the young musician's great skills. She always gives her five bandmates the opportunity to step into the spotlight. At the forefront is her former teacher and mentor, Tito Carrillo, on the trumpet and flugelhorn. An impressive... read more
Vasilic Nenad - Folk Songs
by Bill Barton, Jazz Steps
Origin has an impressive catalog of CDs, primarily by Pacific Northwest musicians. In the case of Folk Songs, the geography is very different, although the consistent high quality remains the same. Bassist Vasilic Nenad was born in 1975 in the South Serbian city of Nis (a region formerly part of Yugoslavia.) He studied classical doublebass, theory, and choral arranging in high school before moving to Austria in 1994, where he was mentored... read more
Joonsam - A Door
by Travis Rogers, Jr., JazzTimes
It's hard to improve on a trio that features Aaron Parks on piano and Nate Woods on drums but, when bassist Joonsam Lee was ready to release his debut album as a leader, he beefed up an already formidable line-up by adding Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Yvonnick Prene on harmonica, Ben Monder on guitar, and the fascinating additions of Yeahwon Shin on vocals and Chungeun Han on the bamboo flute. The trio, however, remains the core.
Released on... read more
Don Lanphere with New Stories - Home At Last
by Harvey Siders, JazzTimes
No matter what Thomas Wolfe predicted: you can go home again.
Saxophonist Don Lanphere managed to get back there. From "the apple" to the Apple, and a final return to "the apple"-"the apple" being rural Wenatchee, aka "the apple capital of Washington." The moves correspond with the parameters of Lanphere's career: from a promising jazz launch in the 1950s, through a higher trajectory into the self-destructive orbit of bebop, to a safe,... 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