Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Sean Michael Giddings - Red Willow
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Keyboardist Sean Michael Giddings cites pianist Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the Charles Schultz Peanuts cartoon soundtracks (among other things), as one of his influences. Guaraldi is joined in that "sphere of influence" club by the usual suspects—Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett—who all play a part in Giddings' sound. But Guaraldi's spirit—the accessible lyricism, the bright, memorable melodies, the sense of fun—seems to loom... read more
William Thomas - Notes From A Drummer
by Mark F Turner, All About Jazz
Drummer William Thomas gives a potent glimpse into the hotbed of jazz talent in Portland, Oregon. His first recording, Notes From A Drummer , consists of music written, arranged, and composed for his ensemble. The themes on the recording range from bop and swing to playful and intricate ballads with an emphasis on strong ensemble dynamics.
The tone of the recording brings to mind the great Cannonball Adderly circa 1970. Thomas's... read more
Hal Galper Trio - The Zone: Live at the Yardbird Suite
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A geezer who could be forgiven for playing pretty as he thinks about checking out, label stalwart Galper is having none of that. Still a forward thinking piano man, he stands as one of the greats that could teach the young 'uns a thing or two about turning out great jazz. The recording is so in the moment that when he listened to it a few months later, Galper didn't even recognize himself playing. How bad ass is that? Solid stuff as far... read more
Benjamin Boone with the Ghana Jazz Collective - Joy
by Chris M. Slawecki, All About Jazz
4-STARS Benjamin Boone's set with this band born and grown in Ghana is a genuine cross-cultural jazz Joy.
The seeds of Joy were planted when composer-saxophonist Boone spent a year as a US Fulbright Scholar in Ghana in sabbatical from his professorship at California State University (Fresno), to study the country's music and musical traditions. The music Boone found made him feel at home: "These guys know American jazz inside and... read more
Bill Anschell - Rumbler
by Robert Rusch, Cadence
Because it opened with one of Monk's finest compositions; "Misterioso", I spent a good deal of time with BILL ANSCHELL's RUMBLER [Origin Records 82728]. Anschell not only offers up a fine arrangement here but he takes the composition head on and goes through various tempos, at one point turning it into a straight blues. Brian Monroney contributes some wonderful guitar work and saxophonist Richard Cole contributes strong playing - offering up... read more
Doug Lofstrom - Concertino: The Music Of Doug Lofstrom
by Laurence Vittes, Gramaphone
Chicago composer Doug Lofstrom has coupled first recordings of two modestly appealing orchestral concertinos for oboe and harp with an archival reprise of his Plumed Serpent studio fantasy from 30 years ago. There isn't much in either Concertino that hasn't been heard before - Richard Strauss and Hollywood musicals come to mind, though more svelte, brought up to date and internationalized - but they are both beautifully written for the... read more
Todd Bishop - Travelogue
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The drummer that knows how to give everyone else some rounds up the crew again for some killer stuff inspired by recent jaunts across the pond and the growth of the camaraderie it inspired. With a load of groovy sounding 60s stuff running through this collection of originals, the vibe is right in the pocket for anyone that likes straight ahead stuff with a solid groove. Top shelf stuff throughout, this is a trip you must... read more
Hal Galper Trio - Airegin Revisited
by Sam Landsman, Earshot Jazz
Veteran pianist Hal Galper simultaneously incorporates fresh and classic elements of the piano-trio jazz idiom on Airegin Revisited, his latest release with Origin Records. Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop accompany Galper, continuing their six-year history as a trio.
The record is characterized by a unique style of rubato play, where often during each track the music flows freely, unbound by a traditional, countable time. The... read more
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