The guitarist and composer Hugo Fernandez brings his Berlin based quartet to these 8 rich tunes that embrace folk, classical and even pop into the memorable jazz formula.
"Spark of Desire" starts the listen with Fernandez's smooth guitar alongside the soulful trumpet, as light drumming complements the introspective climate, and "Imaginary Geometry" follows with a firm drum presence amid strategic bass work to complement the agile, stylish... read more
4 1/2 STARS Remember the good old days when bandleaders would give a downbeat and their bands would start swinging and keep on doing so until their audiences literally begged for more? Welcome to the past—present tense—courtesy of pianist Geoff Stradling's superb Los Angeles-based StradBand, which swings heartily and with seldom a pause on its radiant and power-laden introductory album, Nimble Digits.
Yes, the album does... read more
10 INSIGHTS INTO GHANA AND THE MAKING OF BENJAMIN BOONE'S ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM
At the moment I am listening to the opening song "The Intricacies of Alice" on Benjamin Boone's "Joy," and the act of rolling that title around my brain gives me, well, joy. Which is just one of many reasons that makes this new album for me so aptly titled.
There's a personal connection: I know Ben's wife, Alice, for whom the song is titled, and as I... read more
Detroit native Rodney Whitaker creates another songbook album of fellow Michigan man Gregg Hill on this enthusiastic album with Terell Stafford/tp-fh, Tim Warfield/ts-ss, Bruce Barth/p, Dana Hall/dr and vocalist Rockelle Fortin. Fortin holds her own on the rapid charge of "Betty's Tune" as Stafford blows out Butanes, and is fragrant with Warfield's soprano on "Interlude". Hall is big and bold as he rides the whip on "S'cool Days" and creates... read more
If one were to go back and listen to Sam Yahel's debut disc "Searchin'" on the Naxos label, after giving a quick listen to "Truth and Beauty", it might seem like one was hearing two completely different oragnists. That effort sported the horns of Eric Alexander and Ryan Kisor on four of the nine numbers while his following recordings have all been within the trio context of organ, drums, and either guitar or saxophone. Brian Blade was on his... read more
Stowell is one of Portland's most refined jazz guitarists. He is versatile and sophisticated, along with being highly inventive. But instead of being brash like many bold improvisers, his persona is controlled and tempered. Here, with like-minded saxophonist Michael Zilber, bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis, Stowell is well within his element. Playing covers, like a nice mellow version of Dizzy Gillespie's "Alma," or a modern... read more
The drummer Rich Thompson has an impressive resume and he adds to that body of work here with 9 tunes that welcome Corey Christiansen, Bobby Floyd and Peter Chwazik to the fusion formula.
The title track starts the listen with Floyd's atmospheric organ and Thompson's agile drumming in the flowing, worldly jazz climate, and "Street Cred" follows with a playful and melodic spirit that's full of Christiansen's flowing guitar work.
Halfway... read more
... 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
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.
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