Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Bill Anschell - Improbable Solutions
by Rick Anderson, CD Hot List
If you ask me, the "improbable solution" at which keyboardist/composer Bill Anschell arrived in creating this album had to do with creating a program that draws equally on the straight-ahead jazz verities and on forward-thinking experimentation without sacrificing one for the other. Very few are able to strike that balance, and his achievement here is significant. Compare, for example, the rockish and melodically angular "Is This Thing Even On?"... read more
Scott Neumann Neu3 Trio - Blessed
by Ken Micallef, Downbeat Magazine
**** (4-stars)
Scott Neumann's sophomore solo release is not a blowing but a simmering session. His exceptional trio, with saxophonist Michael Blake and bassist Mark Helias, creates a furnace of ideas where creativity is inspired, swing incessant, and the performances exhilarating. The trio revels in a simpatico exchange. Precise movements and improvisations erupt from a collective identity where listening may be the greatest skill of all.... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The always exciting saxophonist Jordan VanHemert is joined by Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker and Lewis Nash for these 9 rich and colorful jazz tracks.
The textured and melodic "Here And Now" starts with Stafford's soulful trumpet amid Sung's mature keys and Nash's light drumming, and "Tread Lightly" follows with scrappy drums and Whitaker's playful bass that suit VanHemert's bright sax bouts.
Landing the middle... read more
Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto - Mais Que Tudo: Live at Kerry Hall 1995
by Katchie Cartwright, All About Jazz (Interview)
Following a years-long recording hiatus, Brazilian-born Seattle-based Grammy- nominated pianist and composer Jovino Santos Neto released three albums in 2025, all captured live. Two are digital-only releases, both recorded in 2024: Retratos: Brazilian Portraits (Audiophile Society), a duo performance with Estonian bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann in a program of great Brazilian composers, and A Onça e o Pajé (Self- Produced), recorded live at the... read more
John Stowell and Dave Liebman - Blue Rose
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Because Liebman spends so much time over achieving and pushing envelopes, it's easy to forget what a wonderfully lyrical player he is when he just kicks back and lets the flow just flow. A shining guitar/sax stand off, this set follows up the one recorded by these two a decade back, the difference being that the last was recorded in Banff, this recorded in the Poconos. Other than that, not much difference other than the aging of chops a... read more
Dave Slonaker Big Band - Shifty Paradigms
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Classy modern big band charts are delivered by composer/arranger Dave Slonaker and his tgeam of LA All Stars. The sections are rich and wondrous throughout, hip as all get out around Tom Luer's tenor sax on "Dash Cam" while a "All Blues"y tilt on "Bye Bye Blues" goes 6/8 around Ron Stouts' Milesy trumpet. The brass goes into a rich fanfare on the declaratory "3rd and Four" while drummer Peter Erskine builds up the groove under Brian Scanlon's... read more
Clay Giberson - Upper Road
by Doug Yovanovich, e. peak
Clay Giberson's second album Upper Road takes listeners to a quiet place away from jazz's beaten path and seduces their senses admirably. The distinct sax and keyboard sounds tickle the upper octaves without being vivacious and without contradicting the soft mood of the supporting instruments. Portland native Giberson plays the piano and synth with the same creativity as Pat Metheny, who is regarded as a forefather of experimental electric jazz.... read more
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Sean J. O'Connell, Los Angeles Times
Pianist Josh Nelson's Fairfax District home is squeezed from all sides by the lore of old Los Angeles, and he is a student of the city's many tales.
For Nelson's newest release, "The Sky Remains," out now on Origin Records, he invokes a handful of Southern California ghosts for an homage to the complicated past and promising future of his hometown with the help of some of L.A.'s best young jazz musicians, including vocalist Kathleen Grace,... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect