Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Human Spirit - Dialogue
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
****4-Stars
Human Spirit continues to shine, this time in a live setting?
Human Spirit is a band headed by Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor, and Matt Jorgensen. Jorgensen's previous CD, Tattooed by Passion, was reviewed here in Oct 2011, and was in my top 10 CDs of that year. It was a tribute to his father-in-law, noted painter Dale Chisman. We also reviewed Marriott's CD, Human Spirit, last April. It featured Taylor,... read more
David Friesen - This Light Has No Darkness, Volume 1
by Ed Enright, DownBeat
EDITOR'S PICK / 4-STARS Lushly orchestrated by Kyle Gordon for a 33-piece chamber orchestra, this captivating 12-part masterwork by David Friesen was originally conceived for the National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine, which was featured on the internationally acclaimed bassist/pianist/composer's 2020 album Testimony (Origin), an exploration and celebration of his Ukrainian heritage. Friesen, known for a work ethic that has... read more
Steve Korn - Points in Time
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
This one, more than most sets that come this way, reveals itself in successive layers. Melody didn't initially assert itself to these ears. It was there, in dreamy post bop permutations, but it was the harmonies that grabbed me from the start. Drummer Steve Korn and company explore unusual and engaging harmonic frameworks, and I spent a couple of spins of the disc absorbing those and wishing for a deeper grounding in the technicalities of music,... read more
Joachim Mencel - Brooklyn Eye
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing both piano and hurdy-gurdy, Joachim Mencel creates a wide variety of atmospheres with his post bop team of guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Rudy Royston. Colley and Royston are most flexible here, creating a circle dance on the dramatic "I'm Yo Man", mixing suave brushes and beat on "The Things" and rocking out with Cardenas on "The Last Of The Mohicans". Mencel's piano touch is modern and confident here, while... read more
Tom Luer - Project Popular
by Adam Greenberg, All Music
Cross-pollination between jazz and pop music has become something of a mini-trend in the last few years, ranging from interesting fusions and covers on smaller labels up to a high-exposure Grammy for Herbie Hancock's renditions of Joni Mitchell songs. In the same vein, Los Angeles-based sax player Tom Luer reworks a handful of major hits into easygoing West Coast modern jazz on Project Popular. This is light, airy music fresh from the cafes more... read more
Cathy Segal-Garcia & Phillip Strange - Live in Japan
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
This twofer was recorded live in Japan over Christmas 30 years ago shortly after dropping her debut with Peter Erskine and Marc Johnson. A spirited piano/voice romp where chances are taken and dark corners explored. Successfully. You gotta go all the way to Japan to hang out in a saloon this cool? A perfect example of putting the fun first and having it... read more
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio - Triple Exposure
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI - Irvine, CA
Bassist composer Friesen, Greg Gobel, pianist, and drummer, Charlie Doggett, play the most elegant of chamber jazz. The jazz trio, like the string quartet in classical music, is an ideal form for balance between solo and ensemble play. Friesen, long a recognized virtuoso, gently leads the tunes but does not overwhelm them. Check out "Rainbow Song" for a very special tour de force.... read more
Gary Hobbs - Of My Times
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Of My Times has intriguing arrangements by drummer Gary Hobbs that keep the music quite unpredictable. Some selections utilize electronics while others are more straight-ahead. Among the highlights are "Fever" which has an effective vocal by Britta Hobbs and uses an atmospheric bass clarinet, "Hades Ladies," which is reminiscent of early fusion and has Marc Seales playing Fender Rhodes electric piano, and a fairly straightforward "Besame Mucho"... read more
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