Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Clay Giberson - Pastures
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
As I listen to Clay's superb jazz piano work (for the third time through the album now), one word comes to mind - POWERFUL! His strong style first enchanted my ears in issue # 162, and he got (very) high marks from me on that release as well (in fact, I went back and listened all the way through that album, too - as I often do with jazz players who exceed all expectations). On this (even better) release, he's joined by Donny McCaslin on... read more
Scenes - Destinations
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A long standing guitar trio of Portland/Seattle cross pollination, their sound and vibe only deepens with each outing. A solidly burnished set that stands toe to toe with any modern genre highlight, this is sitting down jazz that gets you standing up and cheering. Smart, angular stuff that'll more than bring out the high tone, up market listener in you.... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by EJ Iannelli, All About Jazz
Recorded several years ago, in late 2002, Home of My Heart sounds as if it could have been -- were it not for its handful of latter-day charts by eighties pop supernova Christopher Cross and film composer John Williams -- recorded several decades earlier. The prevailing sound is classic big band, delighting in the force of its multitudes while consistently spotlighting its individual soloists.
Walden, who first made a name for himself in... read more
David Friesen - A Light Shining Through
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
In Down Beat we read about David Friesen: "Though a major international jazz figure for decades, it wasn't until 2015 that a tour allowed bassist-composer David Friesen the opportunity to visit his mother's ancestral home of Ukraine for the first time. Welcomed by a camera crew and introductions to pivotal musicians and cultural institutions, his journey was first documented on 2020's critically acclaimed Testimony, recorded live at Kyiv's... read more
Joe Locke - Force of Four
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Joe Locke is one busy vibes man. Between a busy touring schedule, and as probably the premier first call vibes sideman, Joe keeps especially busy recording. Recording as a leader for at least eight different labels in the last 10 years, Locke has explored many jazz genres. On his latest Origin Records release, Force of Four, Joe records with a quartet on five of the tracks and adds trumpeter and label mate Thomas Marriott to No Moe, a Sonny... read more
Laurie Antonioli and Richie Beirach - Varuna
by Carol Banks Weber, AXS
Very rarely lately does the album artwork match the music waiting for the right listener to unlock a whirlwind of emotions. Here on Laurie Antonioli and Richie Beirach's vocal-piano duo album, they do as the pair invites listeners to sit in on their celestial conversation set to stun.
Bay Area jazz singer Laurie Antonioli is not a strong vocalist, but what she does with songs is carry them further than those with every octave on command or... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Folk Music
by D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place
he Trio is guitarist Bobby Broom, drummer Greg Rockingham and Chris Forman on the Hammond. Don't let the title fool you. These are cool jazzy blues packed with soul. Broom steps up on "The Chant" and "She's Leaving Home" with fine solos. Chris is at the center of the action in most cases and he doesn't disappoint with well-developed solos that build intensity. These guys are not showboating, they just get it done, paying attention to the details... read more
Amit Friedman - Sunrise
by Dave Sumner, Bird Is The Worm Jazz Blog
Amit Friedman Sextet's Sunrise is one of those rare albums that I want to blast from the rooftops, convinced that if the whole damn world could just hear it, the planet would be a much happier place.
It's a majestic album that soars without forgetting to swing.
It's unlikely I'll be able to contain my enthusiasm in the words of this review. Pretty sure I'm not even gonna try.
It would be nice to give an objective review, even in... read more
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