Origin Records Reviews

Joe Locke - Subtle Disguise
by Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal (London)

It's astonishing to reflect that this super album by vibraphonist Joe Locke is his 36th as a leader. There's nothing about it to dislike, unless it's the fastidiousness that for some might make the arrangements of his tunes feel too neat and its solo eruptions too contained. But that's a reflection of his role as composer - there are just two others represented here: Bob Dylan and Blind Willie Johnson - and compared with many less orderly... read more

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - Sacred Music of Duke Ellington
by Reuben Jackson, Ellingtonia

Like another internationally celebrated Washingtonian, vocalist Marvin Gaye, Duke Ellington's overt declarations of faith were composed, recorded and performed toward the end of his career. By 1965, when Ellington's First Sacred Concert was performed, his always stunning gift for crafting a sensual and evocative orchestral palette had grown even more sublime - not unlike Gay's equally moving vocal arsenal.
Yet critical response to Ellington's... read more

John Moulder - Decade: Memoirs
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Culled from sessions recorded since 2009, the Chicago guitarist rounds up the Chicago time keeper contingent, adds some Brits and turns up the heat on this smoking straight ahead jazz date that shows you how cooking is done. With solid blowing from all hands on deck adding to the whole, it's listening jazz that makes it hard not to bounce in your chair. A delightfully wild ride that's e ticket all the... read more

Dan Cray - Outside In
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

4-STARS Encounters with the wonders of nature have a way of snapping everything into perspective and tamping down humanly worries and concerns. Too often we spend time absorbed and obsessed with working from the inside out, projecting ourselves into the world. But sometimes it's better to simply go the other way and let the beauty that exists on the outside infiltrate and influence the human spirit and direction. Pianist Dan Cray's... read more

Dominic J. Marshall - Spirit Speech
by Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz

Dominic J Marshall has clearly absorbed a lot of influences in his 24 years. The pianist, born in Scotland and now resident in Amsterdam, brings many of them to Spirit Speech, the third album by his trio. Hip-hop, jazz, classical, folk: it's a disparate bunch and while it isn't exactly chalk and cheese there's still a risk that mixing them all together could create something unpalatable. Marshall neatly sidesteps the risk. Spirit... read more

Paul Ricci - The Path
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Path, by Paul Ricci and it's an interesting blend of contemporary and world jazz. Opening with "Major Look," Steve Jordan on drums, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Anthony Jackson on contrabass guitar, set a funky rhythm and Paul Ricci lays down a smooth melody, contrasted by Michael Wolff on electric piano. Electrifying opener. "Lobo" is particularly enticing, featuring... read more

Dan Dean - Fanfare for the Common Man
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

5-STARS Songs Without Words (Origin Classical, 2017) opened the door to Dan Dean's giant step into "going vocal"— an innovative approach to his choir-like voice-layering presentations of classical music. Rain Painting (Origin Records, 2021), teaming Dean with guitarist John Stowell, proved a perfect digression into Stowell's distinctive compositions, employing Dean's vocal harmonies, bass playing and drum programming with... read more

Greta Matassa | Clipper Anderson - And to All a Good Night
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Vocalist Greta Matassa and bassist Clipper Anderson set out to make a Christmas CD that would stand out from the pack and they succeeded with And to All a Good Night. Bypassing most of the tradition's expected favorites, they drew little-known or forgotten songs from films, pop, and jazz, infusing them with thoughtful arrangements. Matassa begins with a warm setting of "A Christmas Love Song" (music by Johnny Mandel, lyrics by Marilyn and... read more

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