Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Clay Giberson - Upper Road
by Marty Hughley, The Oregonian
Best of 2002: Top of the Portland pop
01/03/03
"Upper Road," Clay Giberson (Origin Records): A young jazz pianist who plays in Dan Balmer's Go By Train trio, Giberson's previous solo album, "Mirador," was a strong straight-ahead set. Here, though, he fashions a more contemporary sound that has the intelligence, lyricism, depth and accessibility to appeal to fans of, say, Pat Metheny. Balmer, drummer Carlton Jackson and others lend a hand,... read more
John Bishop - Antwerp
by Andy Harrison, Arts Axis Florida, WUSF
5-STARS If it sounds like drummer John Bishop and pianist Bram Weijters are playing like their hair's on fire, in a way, they are - Bishop, Weijters and bassist Piet Verbist made yearly trips to the Belgium city of Antwerp, using their time in the city to record, jam and play over a hundred shows as a trio that overflows with effortless chemistry. The COVID-19 Pandemic changed that with strict international travel restrictions meaning... read more
Nnenna Freelon - Time Traveler
by Matthias Kirsch, Gina Loves Jazz (Germany)
It's her eleventh album to date and her first since "Homefree" came out back in 2010. Nnenna Freelon sounds as fresh and graceful, jazzy and soulful as ever and in most cases on her beautiful new disc, even better than ever before. Harking back to her "Listen" (1994), "Shaking Free" (1996) or "Soulcall" (2000) days when she released collections of soul classics mixed in with standards and originals, usually with style and imagination and a... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Spirit Songs
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Composer and musical director Anthony Branker mixes some rich harmonies with a rhythm team led by Ralph Peterson/jr/dr, John Benitez/b and Jonny King/p along with a front line of Clifford Adams, Jr/tb and the saxes of Ralph Bowen/ts-ss and Antonio Hart/as-ss. He's released other albums with bands named Imagine and Wordplay; each album is consistent in its rich harmonies, original concepts and successful mix of head and heart.
The blending of... read more
Anthony Branker & Imagine - Songs My Mom Liked
by Richard Kamins, Step Tempest
There are many listeners of contemporary music no matter the genre are usually looking for spiritual uplift. Listeners say they love technical prowess or "new" sounds but what makes us return to music is how it moves us. Music is a "full-body experience" - for this listener, it usually starts with moving my feet, then enters into my brain, and finally into my heart. If it feels "real nice", play it twice. That's why I like the music of John... read more
Jessica Williams - Touch
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
The piano is no longer a percussion instrument for her - she sees it as foremost a symphonic stringed instrument with an enormous palette of colors.
*****stars
Pianist Jessica Williams was recorded live at The Triple Door in Seattle in this eight-track CD of four of her original compositions plus one each from Gershwin, Mingus, Coltrane and Johnny Green. I've long felt she is one of the very finest jazz pianists today - a jazz equivalent... read more
Jay Thomas with the Oliver Groenewald Newnet - I Always Knew
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Thomas is a throwback to the extent that he is an admirer of the art of the arranger, he gives Groenwald equal billing and room to do whatever it takes to make the trumpeter look good. An obvious fan of jazz's great instrumental balladeers, this set takes it back to the day in spirit and delivers the goods in unequaled fashion. Real jazz for real jazzbo... read more
Andrea Brachfeld & Insight - Evolution
by Angela Ballhorn, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)
4-STARS The American flautist Andrea Brachfeld has recorded an impressive new album with her quartet Insight. She uses a wide variety of flutes, from the normal C flute to the alto flute and various bamboo flutes, which add an exciting touch of world music. Her trio is spectacular, and pianist Bill O'Connell in particular impresses with his gripping up-tempo improvisations. Andrea Brachfeld has tailored eight pieces with different... read more
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