Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by Benjamin Kirk, Fresno State University Arts & Humanities
"That's my son collapsed there," poet Patricia Smith bluntly speaks in the album's opening line. "My son crumpled there," a rhetorical finger points past the distracting noise of the pundits and protests to the human crux of the issue. Smith's voice sharpens the accusation as Benjamin Boone's saxophone unravels the emotion behind the mother's words.
"My son dangling there. My son caged there...My daughter splayed there...My son hanging... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Although the title of saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album, Survival of the Fittest, may elicit images of a crash course in self-defense, that is not at all what he had in mind. The music is thematic, he says, and represents the twin lodestars of adversity and resilience. Even that, however, becomes largely irrelevant once VanHemert and his supporting cast launch what is at its heart a narrative of contemporary post-bop... read more
Barry Greene - Giants
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris-Move
Barry Greene's Giants: A Modern Jazz Tribute That Bridges Tradition and Innovation
Barry Greene's Giants poses its central question before a single note has fully settled: to whom, exactly, does this title refer? The answer, as the album gradually reveals, is less a declaration of stature than an act of reverence. Greene, an accomplished guitarist and composer, has neither the inclination nor the ego to cast himself... read more
Michael Waldrop Big Band - Time Within Itself
by Fred Bouchard, Downbeat
Drummer Waldrop writes hummable tunes that jump in guess-where twists. Here, he shares bustling charts with ex-boss Jack Cooper (hear Mists, his alluring Charles Ives tribute). On the title track, "Munich Musings" and "Twisted Barb," he packs missed crannies with lightning fills.... read more
David Friesen - Structures
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
Double disc release from bassist / pianist / composer arranger Friesen offers two duo performances on this set: he plays bass and piano with Joe Manis (tenor, soprano sax) on the first disc and bass with Larry Koonse (electric guitar). All compositions were written by Friesen. The textures are notably different as you might expect, but the suppleness of the players stands out either way. The softness of the guitar tone gives that disc a mellower... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Blessings
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
Composer Anthony Branker does not play anything on Blessings but he has assembled an impressive group of musicians, including Ralph Bowen, Steve Wilson, and Bryan Carrott, to perform his work. Branker's music falls under the broad Mainstream Jazz umbrella. His pieces are heavy on melody and, as their titles suggest, have a decidedly spiritual feel. "Ascent" is a strongly uplifting piece with soaring horns supported by Carrott's vibes.... read more
Jessica Williams - With Love
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Successful musicians play "the truth." If you want to hear some truth there are certain artists you can seek out. Thelonious Monk couldn't play anything but the truth, right from the beginning. Pianist Jessica Williams came upon the truth - a purer form of it, at least - after experiencing "the fix of Illness" that she has discussed on her website and in interviews. Her first "fix" came about via her struggle with hypothyroidism, and... read more
Phil Kelly & The SW Santa Ana Winds - My Museum
by Jack Bowers, Cadence, March 2007
While the wind type and direction have changed on "My Museum", almost everything else, thankfully, remains unimpaired on Phil Kelly's second album in a span of three years. in 2003, Kelly and the NW Prevailing Winds recorded Convergence Zone, a prelude to this admirable new release by the SW Santa Ana Winds. Wheras the NW Winds blew from in and around Kelly's home base in Seattle, Washington, the SW Winds have sprung forth, with a few... read more
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