Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Hal Galper Trio - Airegin Revisited
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
There?s some real deep, thoughtful stuff going on here. Right off the bat, it seems that Hal Galper has taken a turn in the road since his more straight ahead days on the Concord label. His music is more angular, with increased emphasis on creative and sometimes complex improvisation and less attention to melody. I gotta admit, it?s often compelling listening. However, I had to work pretty hard to get to it. Take the opener, Gershwin?s classic... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Abstract Quantities
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI, Irvine, CA
Trumpeter McCullough and pianist Weijters recorded this very contemporary sounding disc last summer in Brussels. Like Robert Glasper, Vijay Iyer, The Bad Plus, and Kris Bowers, sometimes they use traditional jazz instrumentation and structure to enhance melodies and beats that might resonate for audiences weaned on acid jazz and hip-hop, for example, "Billions". "Mr. Rubato", on the other hand evokes the image of a soul wandering among rocky... read more
Upper Left Trio - Sell Your Soul Side
by Dr. Mike, Radioio.com
... there is a new group coming onto the jazz scene... fans of e.s.t. and the bad plus are going to enjoy this trio from portland oregon. they are called upper left trio and their new release, out january 17th, is entitled 'sell your soul side'... our pick of the week on radioioJAZZ...
... the upper left trio consists of clay giberson (piano); jeff leonard (basses); and charlie doggett (drums). this cd is the follow up to their 2003 release... read more
Michael Waldrop Big Band - Time Within Itself
by John Lane, Percussive Notes
Big band jazz in full swing - Mike Waldrop's debut as a big band leader is a soaring good listen. Waldrop has recently distinguished himself as an educator at Eastern Washington University, but he spent plenty of time paying his dues as a working musician/drummer in New York and Chicago before embarking on his academic career. While at the University of North Texas, Waldrop polished his big band durmming with the One O'Clock Lab Band. He also... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Over a period encompassing several engagements at Seattle's The Triple Door, pianist Williams compiled six original compositions (of the seven played here) which seemed to have a common thread. All were completely improvised on the spot, and in her effort to meld them into an artistic whole, she chose pieces which complement one another. While the term "jazz pianist" is an honorable title, I've always felt that Williams takes it a step further... read more
Cathy Segal-Garcia & Phillip Strange - Live in Japan
by Paul Freeman, Pop Culture Classics
Good things are worth waiting for. And it's been a very long wait for the release of this exceptional set, performed by jazz vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and pianist Phillip Strange. It was recorded in Osaka, Japan, 30 years ago. But what dazzled listeners in 1992 will still do so in 2022 and beyond.
This two-CD package contains 21 classic tunes, attractively arranged and entrancingly performed. Segal-Garcia's ability to utilize unique... read more
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat
4-STARS Pianist Josh Nelson thinks big. His own projects, showcased so far in clubs only, are multimedia affairs with scenery and video projections to live music. The music for these phantasmagoria is equally expansive, often revolving around Los Angeles history, science fiction and things celestial. The son of a Disney imagineer, he sees the town as the ultimate thrill ride. Nelson's triumph is essaying his personal obsessions in ways... read more
Jeff Johnson - My Heart
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The one time Minneapolis and east coast resident Jeff Johnson brings his exceptional bass playing to these 6 in depth and very collaborative tracks that welcome John Gross, Art Resnick and Billy Mintz.
"Linden Station" opens the listen with Gross' flowing and bright sax alongside the acrobatic bass plucking and frisky drums, and "Leviathan" follows with 11+ minutes of mature piano and moody bass playing that flows in and out of dreamy... read more
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