Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4 1/2 STARS When it comes to having fun, few events can compete with a birthday party. Fun is clearly at the summit of the agenda on 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, recorded at the famed New York City nightspot on March 26, 2005, to celebrate saxophonist James Moody's eightieth birthday, and released on the same date in 2025 to honor the centenary of his birth. Moody, who, with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, comprised one of... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
Composer Anthony Branker continues his pattern of assembling a first-rate group of musicians to interpret his works on Together, his fourth release for Origin Records. This rhythmically charged set features saxophonists Mark Gross and Ralph Bowen, along with the rhythm section of Jonny King on Fender Rhodes, Kenny Davis on upright and electric bass and drummer Donald Edwards.
The music gets off to a brisk start with "Unity," a pulsating... read more
Xose Miguélez - Contradictio
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The Spain native Xose Miguélez brings his inimitable saxophone playing to this worldly listen, where Jean-Michel Pilc, Marcos Cavaleiro and Carlos Barretto are along for the occasion.
"Meniña" starts the listen with a traditional Galician song, where Barretto's precisely plucked double bass and Miguélez's soulful sax help cultivate a very cultured jazz setting, and "You And The Night And The Music" follows with frisky drumming from... read more
Chad McCullough - Dark Wood, Dark Water
by John Barron, All About Jazz.com
Seattle trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough makes his recording debut as a leader with Dark Wood, Dark Water, a diverse sextet outing featuring eight original compositions and a fresh take on the Lennon/McCartney classic "Blackbird." Along with the all-star rhythm section of pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson and Drummer John Bishop, McCullough is joined by saxophonists Mark Taylor and Geof Bradfield.
McCullough proves a... read more
Michael Dease - MSU Jazz Trombones: Spartan Strong
by J.D. Considine, DownBeat Magazine (Hot Box)
Somewhere in the jazzosphere there may be those who, upon hearing Michael Dease play baritone sax on recent albums, thought, "Gosh, I wish there were more trombone." If so, this is the album for you. Spartan Strong, which showcases the young talent in his Michigan State University Jazz Trombone program, features 22 — count 'em, 22 — trombonists across its 14 tracks. Think of it as a big band after the leader fired all the trumpet and... read more
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
An original composition by Jared Hall is the title tune, "Hometown." It has a warm, beautiful melody. Ben Markley begins the song with a piano bass line that sets mood and tempo. Born in Spokane, Washington, this project by Jared Hall celebrates memories of places, people and the family that shaped him. Musically and physically, he returns back to his West Coast roots.
Hall was lured home by a university teaching position offered from his... read more
Dick Reynolds - Music & Friends
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
I've not heard a real "dance band" for quite some time. This organization, headed by pianist Dick Reynolds, falls very nicely into that category.
In the 1960s, Reynolds was the house pianist at Mr. Kelly's Jazz Club, in Chicago; in that capacity, he worked with the likes of Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McCrea and many others. Reynolds subsequently started his own commercial endeavor (Com Track) in Chicago, where he wrote, filmed and... read more
Bobby Rozario - Spellbound
by Russell Perry, WTJU
From the first note of guitarist Bobby Rozario's new release, Carlos Santana sprang to mind and wouldn't go away. Quickly, this became less of a liability (hasn't Santana already done this) and more of an asset (I always loved this sound, especially those first several Columbia records). Recorded over a number of sessions, the instrumentation and personnel varies from track to track. Careful listening reveals that Rozario is not a one-trick... read more
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