Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Geof Bradfield - Urban Nomad
by Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Geof Bradfield is the latest Chicago artist to record a superb record for Seattle's Origin Records. Linked to one of the baddest rhythm sections that Chicago has to offer, this album has the whole package: groove, great tunes and stellar soloing. It would be easy enough to end the review here with a two-word benediction?buy this?but instead, I will elaborate on why this is such a good album.
First off, as always, it's about the players.... read more
Les DeMerle - Comin' Home Baby
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Drummer Les DeMerle leads a swinging band during a concert on a Celerity Eclipse Cruise Ship that toured from Copenhagen to Estonia. The crowd sure had a fun time between stops, as the team of DeMerle with Johannes Bjerregaard/p, Chris Luard/b and vocalist Bonnie Eisele keep the mood upbeat and swinging.
The recording itself is a bit tinny on the piano, but its hard to resist the bouncy instrumentals like "Shiny Stockings" and "Manteca" that... read more
Bill Anschell | Brent Jensen - We Couldn't Agree More
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
The recent CD by pianist Bill Anschell and soprano saxophonist Brent Jensen is called We Couldn't Agree More. The title is inaccurate. In an intimate concert last weekend at The Seasons, they were in even greater agreement, with more daring and more complexity.
The duo's approach is to play well-known tunes without well-known routines; no arrangements, no obvious statement of melody, no predetermined tempos or key signatures. They call on... read more
Mimi Fox Organ Trio - One for Wes
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The esteemed guitarist Mimi Fox pays tribute to the late, great Wes Montgomery on the 100th anniversary of his birth, where Brian Ho brings his Hammond B3 Organ and Lorca Hart sits behind the drum kit for the 8 diverse tracks.
"Mr. White's Blues" opens the listen with the frisky drums, spirited guitar and playful keys in the indeed blues-friendly sounds, and "Moanin'" follows with intimate guitar playing in a soulful, reflective... read more
Les DeMerle - Hittin' The Blue Notes, Vol. 1
by , JazzReview
There's no doubt from the downbeat of the first tune on Hittin' The Blue Notes--that tune being "Just Friends"--that this is a drummer's project. In the same way that, say, Art Blakey or Buddy Rich drove their bands, DeMerle establishes an undeniable presence that characterizes his band as well.
First of all, Les DeMerle kicks off the track with an 8-bar introduction (played in 8 seconds), effectively preparing the listener for the intensity... read more
Ark Ovrutski - Intersection
by John Ephland, Downbeat
***
There are some nifty passages that emerge on bassist Ark Ovrutski's new album, a collection of originals mixed with a few covers. The playing is top-notch, and the interaction between group members is at a consistently high level, making Intersection a fine acoustic jazz outing.
Starting with Bill Evans' "Waltz For Debby," the mood is framed within a straightahead paradigm, with trombonist Michael Dease and reed player... read more
Gene Argel - Luminescent
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Hey, don't run for the hills just because the piano man has added a cover of "People" to his set card, it's alright. Returning home to Seattle from Hawaii to meet up in the studio with some old pals gives him the indulgence to do something like that. His sax man brings a Paul Winter, good karma feeling to the proceedings that gives the easy going vibe the special sauce this set needs to make it stand out gracefully without shouting... read more
Kelly Brand Nextet - The Door
by Brad Walseth, www.jazzchicago.net
It sometimes astounds me, when I hear local musicians whose talent is world class, and yet they are perhaps not very well known outside the boundaries of Chicago, although they should be. Case in point is pianist/composer Kelly Brand, who is known to the jazz fans of Chicago, but deserves a much wider audience based on her stellar playing and composition skills. If there is any justice in the world, her new nextet recording "The Door" will open... read more
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