Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - East-West Trumpet Summit
by John Barron, All About Jazz
East-West Trumpet Summit is a rollicking showcase for longtime friends Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott. Vega, a New York native and the elder of the two, has served for many years as a mentor to Seattle's Marriott. The two first met when Marriott was a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, and Vega was in town touring with the late Tito Puente. Friends ever since, the two trumpeters share an affinity for hard-blowing,... read more
Doug Scarborough - The Color of Angels
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4-STARS The Color of Angels, an engaging album by trombonist Doug Scarborough's sextet, blends music with a jazz heart and Middle Eastern temperament. Scarborough, who teaches at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, has worked toward expanding the jazz idiom to encompass rhythms and harmonies from countries and regions not usually associated with the music.
The endeavor's fruits can be heard and appreciated on Angels, wherein... read more
Affinity Trio - Hindsight
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
You get more with less with the drummerless Affinity Trio consisting of Eric Jacobson/tp, Pamela York/p and Clay Schaub/b on this mix of boppers and originals. York and Schaub take turns supplying the feel, with bluesy beauty for Jacobson's sweet horn on "Open Windows" and bringing an easy peppy feel to Cedar Walton's "Hindsight". York is elegant and soft for Jacobson's horn on "Theme For Ernie" with Schaub supplying nimble fingers on "Tin Tin... read more
Amit Friedman - Sunrise
by Editorial staff, Third Ear - Israel
BEST OF 2012
It was worth waiting for saxophonist Amit Friedman's debut album. The straightforward joie de vivre in his music carries you away, and puts a smile on even the most cynical face. The Israeli sound is familiar and close to home, inviting you in only to discover some surprising facets of the Israeli jazzman. Amit juggles sophistication and coolness and gives you a feeling of a family celebration, with the help of the... read more
Hal Galper - E Pluribus Unum - Live in Seattle
by Bob Weinberg, Jazziz, Summer 2010
There's nothing delicate about this robust trio led by pianist Hal Galper. Negotiating tangled, knotty skeins of melody, harmony and rhythm, Galper, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop vigorously comb through Galper-penned dazzlers such as "Rapunzel's Luncheonette," and apply the same spirited precision to Ellington's "Take the Coltrane." Even playing it cool, as they do on Galper's lovely "Soliloquy," the trio never sounds... read more
Geoff Stradling - Les is Mo'
by R.D. Wood, Amazon
Geoff Stradling is a highly accomplished composer, arranger, and musician living in Los Angeles. This is his debut work as a group leader and it is superb. Stradling is composer of unusual and original melodies and arrangements that are thoughtful, intelligent, and emotive. All compositions are by Stradling except "Stella by Starlight", presented here in an unexpected and pleasing arrangement that transforms the tune. The other players here are... read more
Phil Kelly - Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Following Phil Kelly's last big band effort for Origin Records, Convergence Zone, which earned a Grammy nomination, the Bellingham, Washington resident is back with Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles. Phil, who formerly did arrangements for the Tonight Show band, wrote (with the exception of Limehouse Blues), produced, and arranged all the tracks on this CD. The majority of the band is from the Northwest with the exception of legendary... read more
John Stowell and Dave Liebman - Blue Rose
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
RINGER OF THE WEEK If you're not a sucker for duet albums, maybe THIS one will change your mind. Acoustic guitarist John Stowell sits down by the fireplace with Dave Liebman for a collection of duets that sounds like a conversation between masters of their craft, which is exactly what it is.
Liebman, who is better known for being a bit on the left of center side of music, reigns in like a stallion while delivering deft performances on... read more
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