Origin Records Reviews

Scott Reeves Quintet - The Alchemist
by Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs

This lost recording was originally performed 'live' at the City College of New York in 2005, sixteen years ago. During the 2020 pandemic, when Scott Reeves had time on his hands, like thousands of other musicians, out of curiosity, Scott Reeves gave this long shelved project a listen.

"I was excited to hear how the quintet played so well together and I felt this may have been among my own personal bests. During the time of this... read more

Hans Fahling - Hamburg: Port of Call
by Nils Jacobson, All About Jazz

Hamburg guitarist Hans Fahling wrote eleven compositions for Hamburg, each accompanied by a Patrick Haskett painting in the liner notes. The artistic intent behind this dual presentation (funded by a number of international sponsors) is well-realized through a series of shifting moods and styles. However, the interdisciplinary approach on Hamburg disguises the high-level improvisational bent of the music considered on its own.

Fahling's... read more

Chris Walden Big Band - No Bounds
by Andrew Gilbert, San Diego Union-Tribune

At the age of 29, Chris Walden came to Hollywood to write music for the movies, but he's gained almost as much attention with his talent-packed big band, winning fans like film composer John Williams and jazz pianist John Grusin.

The German-born trumpeter and composer moved to California in the mid-1990s, looking to find work on big-budget Hollywood productions after establishing himself as one of the top young writers on Germany's... read more

Marlene Rosenberg - MLK Convergence
by Editor, Dusty Grooves

Bassist Marlene Rosenberg leads a hell of a trio here - one that features Kenny Barron on piano and Lewis Nash on drums - both tremendous players who sound even better in the round, rich company of Rosenberg's bass! Most titles are trio numbers, but driven as much by the bass as by the always-wonderful work of Barron - and the tunes include many originals by Marlene - instrumentals, but with a current of the more righteous energy... read more

Clay Giberson - Pastures
by Staff, Jazziz

Pacific Northwest-based pianist and composer Clay Giberson grew up on a farm in Woodland, Washington. So, perhaps it's unsurprising that the University of Miami-trained musician would find inspiration in the fields of home. Like jazz composers Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden and Ornette Coleman, Giberson digs into the loamy soil of Americana for the raw materials on Pastures, his sixth recording as a leader for the Origin label. (His Upper... read more

Piet Verbist - Zygomatik
by Dave Sumner, emusic Review

An album that has all types of swagger and sway. Bassist Verbist creates a groove that is all about Serious Cool, yet undeniably thoughtful and even cerebral at times. Bram Weijters on the keys, which is a big bonus from a sideman standpoint. One of those albums that can appeal to modern jazz enthusiasts and old school jazz fans alike. Non-jazz reference: Fans of Morphine should take a listen to this. Highly... read more

Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Rochester?s great jazz tradition has given birth to an inordinate number of superb drummers, including Steve Gadd, Joe La Barbera, John Beck, and Mike Melito. Right in that mix is Rich Thompson. This latest album ? his best yet ? is a polished, straight-ahead offering (but with none of its soulful grit polished off.) A wonderful quintet ? rising trumpeter Terell Stafford, saxophonist Doug Stone, pianist Gary Versace, and bassist Jeff Campbell ?... read more

Deep Blue Organ Trio - Wonderful!
by Jennifer Odell, Downbeat

Earlier this year, the SFJAZZ Collective reminded listeners of the incredible flexibility Stevie Wonder incorporated into so many of his hits when the group named the legendary singer and songwriter as its muse for its album and tour. Attention-wise, that fact may overshadow the new Wonder homage released by Chris Foreman's organ trio--but it would be a shame. The trio, which has been together for more than a decade, plays together every Tuesday... read more

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