Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Scenes - Variable Clouds: Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The saxophonist Rick Mandyck, guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop released their debut as Scenes in 2001, and this first live recording captures their unparalleled chemistry together, where mostly originals unfold with a strong sense of connection between the band and audience.
"Tilbury Hill" gets the listen off to a warm, soothing start, where the agile sax and spirited guitar is met with cozy drumming, and... read more
Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - East-West Trumpet Summit
by Jim Ketch, International Trumpet Guild, January 2011
Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott present a compelling recording, brimming with creative imagination, technical fluency, and a deep respect for the jazz tradition. This album also features fine performances by Travis Shook, Jeff Johnson, and Matt Jorgensen. Shook's soloing is daring and adventuresome, while Johnson and Jorgensen lock down the time and their own solos to the mix with verve and skill. The standards on the CD include "It's You Or No... read more
Dominic J. Marshall - Spirit Speech
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist Dominic J. Marshall's star keeps rising on this session of originals with Tobias Nijboer/bass and Jamie Peet/drums. He's got a thoughtful touch that is able to be both swinging and romantic. His compositions are clever, sophisticated and accessible, ranging from the driving "Book of Machines" to the elegant ballad "Unflinchingly." A gentle but assertive groove leans forward on "Tiwanaku" while the team of bass and drum make some... read more
John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by John Barron, All About Jazz
An entire disc of solo, improvised guitar music could easily run the risk of sounding like one continuous tune. Fortunately, Portand, Oregon-based guitarist John Stowell applies enough depth and open-minded searching to his nylon-string guitar to keep things interesting throughout Solitary Tales. The eleven-track disc was recorded live at the home of master guitar luthier Mike Doolin, who builds guitars for Stowell. Relying heavily on... read more
Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
Trumpeter Tito Carillo's second bite of the apple on Origin was more than a decade in the making, following up his outstanding first release, Opening Statement (Origin, 2011). With Urbanessence (Origin, 2022), the Chicago-based artist is truly up to the task, producing a work which is an homage to everyday life in the city. The narrative makes the point that cities are home to creators, visionaries and an army of people who are... read more
Corey Christiansen - La Proxima
by Elliot Marlow-Stevens, Jazz Journal (London)
In the album notes of La Proxima, guitarist Corey Christiansen writes that his primary influence for this album was a desire to further explore African- and Cuban-inspired rhythm and groove. Christiansen was helped in this project by percussionist Michael Spiro, a fellow teacher at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, and bassist David Belove and drummer Colin Douglas, and together the quartet blend contemporary jazz and Afro-Cuban... read more
New Stories - Hope is in the Air
by Tom Ineck, Berman Music Review
Another drug casualty of the post-bop era, pianist Elmo Hope died in 1967 at age 43, seemingly putting an end to his potential influence on other musicians. But he left behind a wealth of little-known compositions that trumpeter-producer Don Sickler has now turned to good purpose on this collaborative project.
With the help of Hope's widow, pianist Bertha Hope, Sickler compiled a collection of Hope's music, wrote lead sheets and turned it... read more
Jim Gailloreto Jazz String Quintet - American Complex
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
For his sophomore effort with the Chicago-based HAWK string quartet in tow, Jim Gailloreto's skill in composition and arrangement for a string quartet has increased notably. Instead of forcing the quartet into a gypsy-jazz romp, Gailloreto keeps the players in their comfort zone -- free from improvisation, and showcasing technical mastery and careful collaboration without sacrificing an austerity of sorts. Over the top of the quartet, though,... read more
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