Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Aaron Germain - Chance
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Inventive world beat jazz. Nothing so radical about that, or is there? This bass led, international quartet lives up to the elements on the hype sheet. Intertwining Weather Report with Headhunters with various world sounds, this crew does it all and does it on point in a creative and fascinating way. Top shelf stuff for the sitting down jazz fan, it?s not egghead jazz---it reaches down and strikes a variety of primal chords you might not have... read more
Matt Jorgensen +451 - The Road Begins Here
by Michael Allison, Earshot Jazz
Drummer Matt Jorgensen's 451 band has had several incarnations with varying personnel over the past few years. What they have all shared is spirited and intelligent interpretations of well-chosen material. "The Road Begins Here" exemplifies Jorgensen's spirit as a leader on record with the most cohesive group to date. This is due in large part to great collective and individual statements by his sidemen.
The elegant and inventive Fender... read more
Scott Neumann Neu3 Trio - Blessed
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ringer of the Week - Many aspire, but few attain. That holds not only for salvation, but for putting together a tenor trio recording. Drummer Scott Neumann attempts the climb from the North Side of the Mountain, leading a band from behind with Michael Blake, who also brings his soprano sax and melodic to the studio here, and bassist Mark Helias. Maybe because Neumann pays around with so many drum tricks and styles that this collection of... read more
Grete Skarpeid - Beyond Other Stories
by Bjorn Sandnes, Avisa Hordaland (Norway)
Cinderella story
The story of how Grete Skarpeid released her debut album "My Songs" at the age of 59 is almost like a Cinderella story. She and the Cuban jazz pianist Arúan Ortiz met after a concert he had played in Voss Jazz Club in Gamlekinoen. He caught sight of Skarpeid, sat down with her and wanted to talk. He invited for wine. And they talked about music. When she was about to leave, he asked:
- Do you sing?
Then he heard some... read more
Dave Slonaker Big Band - Shifty Paradigms
by Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
Years ago, you may have found a young Dave Slonaker hunched over books and piles of music sheets at Pittsburg's Carnegie Library, researching the nuts and bolts of how big band music is created. His fascination developed when he was just a teenager and has continued for decades.
Today, Slonaker heads a 15-year-old Grammy nominated ensemble and is a busy orchestrator, arranger and composer for film and television. This big band features some... read more
Phil Kelly & The SW Santa Ana Winds - My Museum
by Joseph Blake, Times Colonist, January 14, 2007
Fans of little Port Townsend, Washington's celebrated jazz festival will recognize L.A.-Seattle jazz stars like Pete Christlieb, Bill Ramsay, Jay Thomas, Lanny Morgan, Gary Foster and Greta Matassa from this fine, 18-piece band directed by Bellingham-based Phil Kelly. Kelly has semi-retired from an L.A. studio life that included writing music for 700 commercials, film and TV work, and compositions and arrangements for a host of acclaimed big... read more
Jack Mouse - Range of Motion
by Tim Willcox, Oregon Jazz Scene
Mouse is a veteran of the Chicago jazz scene. A quick gander at his bio reveals a sideman?s dream. Mouse has spent decades performing with a who?s who of jazz greats. His newest album is collection of 10 originals, mostly written by Mouse himself. His drum style lies somewhere between Shelly Manne, Paul Motian and Joe Morello. Loose, painterly and swinging are adjectives that come to mind on hearing him. His writing style is a smorgasbord, from... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs For A New Century
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
This latest Jessica Williams CD is described as being recorded "direct to disc" which seems to be a similar technique to that employed on some Reference Records piano CDs - eliminating either the analog or digital tape step in the process. This is a quite different album from any of the many which one of the leading female keyboard jazz performs of today has released.
All nine tracks are original by Williams, and they cover a wide range of... 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