Constantly flirting with atonality but never surrendering to it, this quartet made a lasting impression at the 2005 Ballard Jazz Festival, where the hip folks at Origin made a live, studio-quality recording. So much is happening at any given moment that careful, repeat listening is required to separate the various strands that combine to create the sheets of sound (or as Locke prefers, "cascade").
Co-leaders vibist Locke and pianist Keezer... read more
There is nothing quite like Vancouver vocalist Dee Daniels' dark contralto with it's huge four-octave range. Even with such vocal chops, however, she makes every nuance noticeable, offering exhilarating, well-shaped notes and phrases. Her signature dramatic sense and emotional thrust are ever-present in this album ? traits apparent to the lucky patrons who heard her co-emcee the National Jazz Awards in 2006.
On a dozen tunes she dances... read more
LV's Uptown, Portland, OR - Friday April 6th, 2007
Hal Galper is a master of progressive jazz. A noted author and educator, he has taught music for many years in several of the top schools in the jazz pantheon, and his touring career has brought him to all corners of the world. What a delight it was to have him here. His bandmates, John Bishop and Jeff Johnson hail from Seattle and constitute the last two thirds of Hal's West Coast... read more
One word..."WOW!"
Absolutely fantastic disc. Refreshing in this over-saturated music world of mediocre releases day in and day out. I hope this one doesn't get lost in the shuffle...
It's up there right now with the Charles Lloyd/Billy Higgins ECM double disc as my favorite release of the year already!... read more
Review: The title of this CD paraphrases what the late saxophonist Paul Desmond said he wanted to sound like. Idaho based Brent Jensen creates not so much a tribute album (which seem to be in vogue these days) as he does an album that captures the same essence that Desmond had.
Neither a hip bopper, nor a cool West Coaster, Desmond often seems to fall between the cracks of American jazz history. Best known for his long association with... read more
The great James Moody does a fantastic job of summing up his many years in music here - referencing his work with singer Eddie Jefferson and trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie - while also stepping forth in a mode that shows just how much he's grown since those earlier years! Moody is wonderfully expressive here on tenor and flute, and works in a combo that features core work from David Hazeltine on piano, Todd Coolman on bass, and Adam Nussbaum... read more
Ms. Drummond does it again - and contrary to the title, she is "evolving" at warp speed. Her writing, arranging and playing on this recording are stellar - this is the best jazz, the stuff that walks that sometimes fine line - never sounding over-arranged, never sounding aimless and chaotic. Some long stretches with no flute here - Anne also plays some great piano, and has confidence in her all-star cast including the great Benny Green ( who... read more
Mike Pope is a musician no one in Europe has on their radar. This engaging music, based on a shared musical language, is highly dynamic and full of beautiful sounds when it comes to bassists in jazz. The American is one of many instrumentalists who primarily work as sidemen. When these musicians record an album themselves, it often holds its own against the big names. Even if Pope occasionally betrays the routine of a virtuoso studio musician,... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
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