Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Christopher Icasiano - Provinces
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Christopher Icasiano plays (deep breath) drums, percussion , capi shells, synthesizers and keyboards on this collection of eight songs in two suites. The first suite, "Provinces" includes snappy snares with a dash of synth, leading to thick textures and sounds of space modules before drums flail guiding into hints of Tomita. Things close with a high hat mixing with more noodles than a soup kitchen. The "Taho" includes electronic percussion,... read more
Geof Bradfield - African Flowers
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield draws on music he encountered in his travels to Africa during a 2008 Rhythm Road tour with pianist Ryan Cohan's quartet. Cohan joins Bradfield here, along with trumpeter Victor Garcia, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist George Fludas, and together the band delivers entrancing polyrhythmic themes like the melodic Rwandan praise song "Butare" and the danceable Congolese rumba "Lubumbashi," the latter a catchy clave... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Herb Boyd, Downbeat
5-STARS "Live" is the operative word of Hal Galper Quintet's Live At The Berlin Philharmonic, 1977. No matter what track you choose, the results are the same—exhilarating. Pianist Galper's dazzling runs are often complemented by his punchy pointillism, and this is particularly engrossing on "I'll Never Stop Loving You." Galper alone is stunning enough, but add Michael and Randy Brecker and you have the coup de grace; the... read more
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Russ & Mike, Adult Music Podcast
It's obvious that these three musicians have an "affinity" for each other and the music they make together. The drumless trio format makes the presentation more intimate, and the extra space in the soundscape makes the performance of familiar material unique. There's no lack of rhythmic drive, though, due to Clay Schaub's propulsive bass and intuitive locking in with Pamela York's piano backing. The program is enjoyable with a distinctive... read more
Bill Anschell - Improbable Solutions
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The legendary jazz pianist Bill Anschell finds himself in a larger setting here, where the acoustic jazz trio allow for electronics for a very unique 9 tracks.
The atmospheric "Ambulator" leads the listen with Anschell's lively keys and Brian Monroney's precise guitar in the stylish climate, and "Nimbus" follows with the dreamy keys and Chris Symer's agile bass making for a reflective mood of beauty.
Moving into the middle, "Naked Truth"... read more
Joe Locke - Subtle Disguise
by Arturo Pepe, Traces of Jazz (Italy)
It is a combative and faded Joe Locke that is revealed in the booklet of his "thin masks", a new work by an artist who will turn sixty this year, a composer and vibraphonist who made his way in the '90s as a man of the new generation and has reached 35 (!) records as a leader, as well as countless sideman sessions in the most varied areas, from Cecil Taylor to Grover Washington Jr.
We had left it in 2015 with the well-deserved Downbeat... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by Ric Bang, JazzScan
Pianist/composer Jessica Williams is an elite musicians who is so well known that she needs little introductory or background verbiage to inflate reviews of her albums. Like many pianists, she began her studies with the classics and switched to jazz during her teens. Unlike most beginners, however ? who start out playing with unknowns ? Williams was associated with icons from the get-go; her first group was headed by Miles Davis drummer Philly... read more
Scenes - Along the Way
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
Scenes, another Pacific Northwest group, began as a quartet: guitarist Johhn Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson, drummer John Bishop and tenor saxman Rick Mandyck. When a health problem forced Mandyck to depart, the group continued as a trio.
"Along The Way" is the new group's first release.
Each musician is well-known in the jazz fraternity, and all have played and recorded with numerous "name" groups.
All the tracks on the CD are originals... read more
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