Origin Records Reviews

Geof Bradfield - melba!
by Neil Tesser, Chicago Music

Geof Bradfield has drawn plenty of praise for his work as a reed soloist, and it's all deserved; on tenor and soprano saxes, plus bass clarinet and flute, his muscular, choate solos unfurl with a torrent of detail, even as he sketches the bigger picture. Surrounded by like-minded virtuosi -- as will be the case Saturday, when he plays the Green Mill with an all-star septet starring trumpeter Victor Garcia and guitarist Jeff Parker -- pretty... read more

Scott Reeves Quintet - The Alchemist
by Editor, Patch

Reeves, who has performed with the Vanguard Orchestra and Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, as well as with artists including Steve Wilson, Kenny Werner, James Williams, Rich Perry, Bill Mobley, and John Patitucci, expected to have time on his hands upon his retiring from teaching at institutions including the prestigious Juilliard School.

But when the pandemic struck just a few months later, he suddenly found himself with an... read more

Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by Michael Ullman, The Arts Fuse

In the early eighties, when we were both teaching in the English department of Tufts University, Detroit-born poet Philip Levine and I became friends. We shared some things: basic literacy, a Michigan background (I had lived in Ann Arbor for four years and he was raised in Detroit), and a love of jazz. I would make tapes for him. (He particularly appreciated the ninety minutes of Clifford Brown I assembled for him.) He would give me signed... read more

Corey Christiansen - Lone Prairie
by Robert Ratajczak, LongPlay: RadioJAZZ - Poland

[translated from Polish] Lone Prairie is the fifth album by Corey Christiansen in recent years (third released by the American label Origin Records), successfully strengthening his position among the greatest jazz guitarists in the world. After a stunning debut in 2004 (The Awakening), an album he recorded with trio MB3 (Hits Jazz Vol.1), and two albums highly accepted in the United States: Roll With It and Outlaw... read more

Kim Richmond / Clay Jenkins Ensemble - CrossWeave
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

CrossWeave's opener, Troubleshooter," drives in on a tight rhythm groove that leads into some clean three horn harmony by trumpeter Clay Jenkins, alto saxophonist Kim Richmond, and tenor sax man Rich Perry, with a sound that harkens back to the classic Blue Note Records days, some of those classic sets by Lee Morgan and Art Blakey. A tight, shining ensemble mode with sharp soloing all around.

CrossWeave is the third disc by the... read more

Andrea Brachfeld - Brazilian Whispers
by Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network

Brazilian Whispers... How appropriate is that as the title for an album by Andrea Brachfeld. Not only does the instrument she plays - the flute - lend itself to the kind of meditative Brasilian (how the word is actually meant to be spelled) music but the music itself "speaks" - indeed "whispers" - in a very special way to Miss Brachfeld. The repertoire on this album is no exception. Featuring exquisitely crafted arrangements of mesmeric... read more

Keigo Hirakawa - Pixel
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

Pixel, Tokyo-born, Ohio-bred pianist Keigo Hirakawa's third album as leader or co-leader of his own ensemble, has the sleek, laid-back feel of a well-engineered jam session as Hirakawa leads the way through seven of his generally engaging compositions (and one by guitarist Brandon Scott Coleman) with reliable backing from his supporting cast.

Besides Coleman, the trustworthy team includes woodwind specialist Rafael Statin, bassist Robert... read more

Piet Verbist - Secret Exit to Another Dimension
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

4-STARS Belgian bassist Piet Verbist has featured saxophonists on each of his previous Origin Records albums—bass, drums and a horn or two seems to be his way of working. With Secret Exit To Another Dimension, his fifth Origin outing, he pares things down to the trio format, creating a distinctive guitar/bass/drums sound that has a strikingly modern feel.

It has become cliche to say—especially when speaking of trio of bass and... read more

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