Origin Records Reviews

John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by John Barron, All About Jazz

An entire disc of solo, improvised guitar music could easily run the risk of sounding like one continuous tune. Fortunately, Portand, Oregon-based guitarist John Stowell applies enough depth and open-minded searching to his nylon-string guitar to keep things interesting throughout Solitary Tales. The eleven-track disc was recorded live at the home of master guitar luthier Mike Doolin, who builds guitars for Stowell. Relying heavily on... read more

Jordan VanHemert - Nomad
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect

The saxophone powerhouse Jordan VanHemert returns with Rodney Whitaker on bass and David Alvarez III behind the drum kit for a listen that celebrates Korean culture via their exciting jazz formula, and there's plenty of guests in attendance, too.

"Bird, Bird, Bluebird" starts the listen with VanHemet's warm sax before frisky drumming and playful bass enters the stylish jazz climate, and "Imjin River Song" follows with the rhythm section... read more

Laurie Antonioli - Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light
by Dr. Debra Jan Bibel, Amazon.com

Joni Mitchell certainly has gone far since June 1968 when I listened to the then emerging composer sing at New York's The Bitter End. Having become one of the honored greats of music, her numerous songs have been covered by many singers and instrumentalists. This includes jazz artists, which is appropriate since Mitchell herself wrote and performed jazz crossovers. The latest is from vocalist Laurie Antonioli, whose new album, Songs of... read more

Bobby Selvaggio - Short Stories
by Mark Corroto, All About Jazz

Like the Japanese calligraphy art know as enso, the condensed and succinct introduction alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio delivers on the track "Price Of Being (Intro)" is a disciplined stroke, delivered with an ease and elegance that belies the character and control required for such a statement. He works his instrument through this exercise with such command and strength, the sound gives the impression it is effortless.

But then, such is... read more

Deep Blue Organ Trio - Wonderful!
by Ross Boissoneau, Jazziz

Stevie Wonder's music has inspired countless musicians. Included among them are B3 player Chris Foreman, guitarist Bobby Broom and drummer Greg Rockingham, a.k.a. the Deep Blue Organ Trio. On Wonderful!, the threesome offer a fresh take on the soul-funk-pop icon's songbook.

Foreman and Rockingham start things rolling on "Tell Me Something Good," with Broom comping behind them. The guitarist then unleashed an astringent solo, exploring the... read more

Bobby Broom - Bobby Broom Plays for Monk
by Marc Myers, JazzWax

I usually don't care much for 82534 Thelonious Monk tributes, but Bobby Broom Plays for Monk is an exception. Rather than try to mimic Monk's falling upstairs playing technique, Broom applies his smooth guitar to the barbed compositions without compromising Monk's genius. The results are fresh and surprisingly warm.... read more

Diverse - Diverse
by Rudolf Radnai, Muszer Oldal - Budapest

Translated from Hungarian

Six young musicians: HERMON MEHARI (trumpet), William Sanderson (tenor sax), John Brewer (piano, Rhodes), Ben Leifer (bass), Ryan LEE (drums), Bobby Watson (sax) This consists of the band in 2008 with another 10 before winning the Origin Records / Gene Harris Jazz Festival Competition-T. The disc is played in your compositions. The number 12 is a young experimental momentum band presents their music with hip hop,... read more

John Stowell and Ulf Bandgren - Throop
by Hessel Fluitman, Jazzflits- Netherlands

John Stowell lives in Portland, Oregon and Ulf Bandgren in Gothenburg, Sweden. Both gentlemen met in Ithaca, New York and then Bandgren was invited by Stowell in 2010 to perform together at the Ballard jazz Festival in Seattle. The interplay between the two guitarists is exemplary. Over and over again, soloing and accompanying, they create a complete Orchestra. Most compositions are by Ulf Bandgren, but also contains a number by Stowell and one... read more

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