Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Tad Britton - Black Hills
by Steve Wyzard, Amazon.com
There I was, minding my own business and listening to my local jazz radio station (remember jazz radio?) when suddenly I heard a very gifted piano trio playing a bopish cover of James Taylor's quintessential hit "Fire and Rain". Why hasn't anyone else done this before? I wondered in stunned amazement. Only later was I to discover that this trio was led by drummer Tad Britton, with pianist Marc Seales and bassist Jeff Johnson, and had recorded... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - No Bounds
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Any way you slice it, it's not easy for a big band to earn a Grammy Award nomination. Composer/arranger Chris Walden's debut album, Home of My Heart, received not one but two, for Best Large Jazz Ensemble and Best Instrumental Arrangement. One year later, Walden returns with another strong contender, No Bounds, showcasing eleven of his exemplary charts performed by an all-star ensemble of Los Angeles-area studio/big band musicians.
Walden,... read more
Bobby Broom - My Shining Hour
by Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader
The recordings that peerless Chicago guitarist Bobby Broom makes with his trio are almost always shaped by a precise conceit -- a program of Monk tunes, for instance, or a reimagining of 60s pop tunes as jazz vehicles. His excellent new album, My Shining Hour (Origin), is devoted entirely to standards, which is only notable because it's something he hasn't done before. Bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Makaya McCraven provide a crisp,... read more
John McLean / Clark Sommers Band - Parts Unknown
by Friedrich Kunzmann, All About Jazz
This inventive Chicago Quartet finds Kurt Elling's long time backing team comprised of guitarist John McLean and bassist Clark Sommers pushing into original sonic adventures with fresh modern twists. The band's debut outing for Origin Records also features drummer Xavier Breaker and vibes veteran Joe Locke whose tone and style accompanies and interacts perfectly with John McLean's subtle but poignant Guitar lines.
Locke's modernistic "Blondie... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Deep in the Soil
by Paul Abella, WDCB, Chicago
When I looked at the lineup for saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's Deep in the Soil, I mumbled to myself, "Wow...somebody's got themselves a BAND here!" Terell Stafford plays trumpet, Michael Dease is the trombonist, Helen Sung is sitting at the piano bench, Rodney Whittaker is holding down the bass duties, and Lewis Nash is behind the drums. This sextet lets you know it, too, from the first note. Sharel Cassity's composition, "Call To Order" gets... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by Ian Lace, MusicWeb International
Walden's virtuoso jazz team plays excitingly, enthusiastically, and they blend, integrate splendidly. The programme has plenty of variety; there is always something to excite and stimulate the ear. The programme opens in high-spirited, up-beat style with Ray Noble's well-known Cherokee that includes some breath-taking solo alto sax and trumpet solos from Jeff Driskill and Kye Palmer. Feet First is another breezy, foot-tapping track with Alan... read more
speak - Speak
by Peter Walton, Earshot Jazz
A good deal of excitement surrounded Speak in the year preceding the release of their self-titled debut. The quintet's growth has been fascinating to watch, and having now released an album commensurate with their talents, it would not be surprising for 2010 to be a big year for the ensemble.
Featuring saxophonist Andrew Swanson, trumpeter Cuong Vu, bassist Luke Bergman, keyboardist Aaron Otheim, and percussionist Chris Icasiano, Speak... read more
Jerry Heldman - Revelation(s)
by Chris Lunn, Ancient Victorys
These historic Northwest jazz recordings are from Seattle and Portland from 1973 and 74 with a stellar band called Morning Star. Friesen and Heldman met in the early sixties in Seattle. Both were bass players and influenced by the work of Scott Lafaro. They played and wrote music as well as being close friends. So they would not be limited to two bass players, both were self-taught piano players. After years of developing, in the 1970's they... read more
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