Basement Blues is the third Origin Records CD offering from the John Stowell/Michael Zilber Quartet, following Shot Through With Beauty (2009) and Live Beauty, (2013). Guitarist Stowell's approach is distinctive - silvery chords and pinprick single notes that reverberate from the rafters. Saxophonist Zilber is a flawless, soulful technician on soprano and tenor saxophones. Bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis are perfection in the... read more
Winter is a solid jazz compilation by Origin Records, a label created in 1997 by Seattle drummer John Bishop. The label's focus is primarily on significant Northwest artists, and this CD is a perfect example of the burgeoning jazz community abounding in the Seattle area. Joining Bishop on this instrumental CD are Hans Teuber (saxophones, piano), Dave Peterson (guitar, piano), and Jeff Johnson (bass).
Slip this CD into the audio system, and... read more
"Resonance" is a collection of intimate, first-take ruminations by a master guitarist. Whenever Portland, Ore., luthier Mike Doolin created a new acoustic instrument, he invited his friend John Stowell to come over and give it a try, while the tape rolled. These 13 tracks, recorded over five years on assorted six-string and 12-string models, make for fine listening in a gentle, relaxed... read more
The title of this album, Ways of the Hand, does not refer to the trickery of a clever magician. Rather it describes the one of a kind styles and talents of the six piano artists to whom Marius "Butch" Nordal pays tribute on this his second release for the Origin label. It's too bad that these tracks aren't arranged in chronological order so one can see the connection between the mannerisms of each as well as the development of the art of... read more
You need look no further if it's passion-filled guitar jazz your ears are thirsting for! Hugo and his pals (antonio Sanchez on drums, Antonio Miguel on acoustic bass and Ariel Bringuez on tenor & soprano sax) play with all the gusto you'd expect for their all-original release. Though this is my first listen (as well as yours, since it's a debut), tunes like the 8:24 "Reconciliation" blend the players' talents together for a spectacular & very... read more
What can you say about Thomas Marriott that says fabulous. This CD will more than make that claim. Marriott has a strong tone, great command and swings like...fabulously. Listen to his forceful attack right off on "Both Sides Of The Fence."
He's clear, precise, strictly down to business, the essence of hard bop swinging. The band of Marc Seales, piano, Jeff Johnson, bass and John Bishop, drums lend ample support to this exciting re-occurrence... read more
This winter, a plethora of big band and orchestra CDs have crossed my desk. The Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra is another very fine example of precision arrangements and excellent musicianship in pursuance of jazz orchestration. From the first Latin strains of cut #1, "Speak Low," I was captivated. This familiar jazz standard features alto saxophonist Steve Wilson and trumpeter Chris Rogers. Each soloist is dynamic and technically astute. An... read more
You don't often encounter drummers who are also composers, arrangers and producers; Tim Davies is a member of that relatively small fraternity.
He also leads a really big band that usually features (according to his web site) "a mixture of jazz, hip-hop and death metal." It's certainly all of that. The cadre includes nine reeds, eight trumpets, four trombones, two guitarists, two bassists, two keyboardists - I assume these pairs split duties... 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