Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
ECM Records has been noted for its "Nordic Cool," school, from its many recordings of Scandinavian artists, with pianist Tord Gustavsen coming most readily to mind. Seattle's Origin Records has what can be called its "Northwest U.S. Cool" with recordings from bassist Jeff Johnson, saxophonist Hans Teuber , and the collective trio Scenes, with guitarist John Stowell, drummer John Bishop and, again, Jeff Johnson on bass.
Scenes' eponymous... read more
Marc Seales - American Songs, Volume 3: Time & Place
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The jazz man brings the funk with his third set of his version of jazzy Americana where Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes' take on "Wichita Lineman" figure prominently. Showing why his piano is one of the leading light of Pacific Northwest jazz, Seales makes one of those last word statements that speaks loudly. Check it... read more
Nanami Haruta - The Vibe
by Thomas Conrad, New York City Jazz Record
Hot new trombonists don't hit town nearly as often as bad-asses on trumpet or saxophone. That's why Nanami Haruta is news. The Vibe, her debut as a leader, reveals that she has it all: crisp articulation, pure intonation, fresh ideas and quick-on-quick reflexes. She also sounds enthusiastic and supremely confident (her level of chops instills poise). These days serious jazz talent can come from anywhere on the planet. Haruta is from Sapporo,... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat Magazine
Composer Anthony Branker has six of his songs played by a capable ensemble, but he curiously takes credit as "musical director" as well. Presumably that means he handled the arrangements, but what else? Listening alone doesn't make it clear.
What is clear is that this is a good, if not groundbreaking, small band jazz album. The tunes bring to mind a milder version of what Art Blakey or Horace Silver's bands might be playing if those two... read more
Peter Erskine & The JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Vienna to Hollywood: Impressions of E.W. Korngold & Max Steiner
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Drum mastermind Peter Erskine gives a salute to two Austrian music film composers that dominated the Golden Age of movies, namely Max Steiner and E.W. Korngold on this album that mixes jazz with string. A rich mid sized combo of Herwig Gradischnig/sax, Thomas Gansch/tp, Bertl Mayer/harm, Bob Sheppard/fl, Judd Miller/EVI, Andreas Vardy/g, Danny Grissett/p-arr, Thatiana Gomes-Fabricio Pereira/b, Flip Phillip/perc-vib, Brian Kilgore/perc and... read more
Tim Jensen - A Mind For The Scenery
by Tom Ineck, Berman Music Review
Like much of the bountiful fruit harvested at Origin Records in Portland, Ore., Tim Jensen's "A Mind for the Scenery" challenges the listener from the get-go.
Jensen is a composer and reed player of eclectic tastes, versatility, technique and audacious creativity. He also is an arranger and a bandleader who knows how to surround himself with like-minded musicians capable of equal audacity. Take for example the opener, "Sausage," a squiggly... read more
Marc Seales - American Songs, Volume 3: Time & Place
by Tree Palmedo, Jazz Society of Oregon
Pianist Marc Seales has been a Northwest mainstay for years, and his American Songs series has been a consistently entertaining look at jazz and blues history. On the third volume in the series, Seales digs into the funkier side of things, both with his song choice and his band's electrified sound. The album kicks off with Curtis Mayfield's "Pusher Man," a bold choice and one that initially feels off. But once guitarist Fred Hamilton... read more
Gregg Keplinger / Reuben Radding / Daniel Carter - Language
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Alto saxophonist Daniel Carter is an avant-gardist who can also play thoughtfully and with logical development. On Language, he performs five group originals with bassist Reuben Radding and drummer Gregg Keplinger that are mostly free improvisations. The music starts at its most intense with "Speak Glow," evolves from being introspective to fiery on the nearly 20-minute title cut, is passionate on "Aphasia," and finds the group playing a... read more
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