4-stars****
A travel theme runs through the tunes on "The Road Home," most of which progress at a fast pace, anchored by Clipper Anderson's light, bouncy improvisations. This Northwest-based bassist's stellar debut as a solo artist covers a lot of ground, from Bill Evans' heady, complex "Twelve-Tone Tune Two" to the Portugese original "Esperancoso Destino" and soaring ballads like the title track, which was inspred by a stretch of... read more
Improv solo piano recorded and written in honor of his newly born daughter, Gilberson stride that jazz/new age/contemporary instrumental line with great aplomb and shows that he can satisfy the ears quite by his lonesome. A sitting down date that requires your attention without demanding it, this is some pretty top shelf solo piano... read more
This is a fine big band with the likes of Carl Saunders and Kim Richmond on it and any band with these strong players has a lot to say.
"When You Wish Upon A Star" features Kim Richmond's muscular alto solo which makes this star shine in all its glory, no need to wish upon it.
"People Will Say We're In Love".....Tierney Sutton's sibilance slips swiftly sliding into this tune soon after the vocal starts with a bit of nasal quality added... read more
Origin Records may be based half a country away in Seattle, but it has become the mainstream Chicago jazz label, documenting our scene in recent months with terrific albums by the Deep Blue Organ Trio, Geof Bradfield, Dana Hall and Bobby Broom. A few weeks ago, I reviewed an Origin album by Chicago legend Ira Sullivan and Windy City crony Stu Katz. Yesterday, Origin kept the ball rolling by releasing the impressive debut of Chicago... read more
4 STARS
Michael Dease, widely admired as one of the world's foremost jazz trombonists but rather less-known as an educator, dons his professorial garb on Spartan Strong, supervising a splendid session by a special corps of undergrads (and students in his trombone studio) who together comprise the MSU (Michigan State University) Jazz Trombones, twenty-three members in all when one counts Dease and the group's half-dozen bass... read more
Hal Galper has long been a part of the jazz scene, having recorded extensively as a leader over the past four decades and appearing on sessions by Sam Rivers, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, Lee Konitz and Chet Baker, among others. Galper began with classical piano studies at an early age, spent time at Berklee and absorbed much from several Boston-based artists before leaving for New York City. Galper began leading his own groups in the ?70s.... read more
Lets start out by saying that these are incredible melodies. The compositions are deeply engaging and the ensemble beautifully supports Zilber's intensely personal voice on tenor and soprano saxes. The tunes are homages to other jazz greats, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker,Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson Dave Liebman, John Coltrane and Paul Desmond, but while they sometimes mirror the feel of these artists, they are not derivative. They are Zilber's... read more
It seems the jazz world has finally made Joni Mitchell an official member of the jazz composers canon. Vocalist Laurie Antonioli is the latest to delve into the rich songbook of the contemporary icon. Her voice has a hint of Mitchell's ironic folksiness, but with a dash of a harder edge. She teams up with the intriguing mix of reeds supplied by Sheldon Brown, Matt Clark's keyboards and along with Dave MacNab/g, John Shifflett/b and Jason... read more
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.
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