Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Anthony Branker & Word Play - Dialogic
by George Kanzler, New York City Jazz Record
Anthony Branker is the director of the program in jazz studies at Princeton University. He?s a trumpeter but does not play on Dialogic, only providing compositions and musical direction for the players: Ridl (piano and Fender Rhodes), Ralph Bowen (saxes), Kenny Davis (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums). Branker?s music is highly informed by rhythms, from rolling 6/8 and funk to swing and AfroCuban. And his concept of small group composition seems... read more
Dana Hall - Into the Light
by Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
Top 10 Innovative Jazz CDs of 2009
Chicago drummer Hall has recorded prolifically on uncounted recordings, but with "Into the Light" he finally emerges on CD as bandleader. The recording illuminates Hall's expressive breadth as composer and dynamism as leader. Throughout, he inspires top-notch work from trumpeter Terell Stafford, saxophonist Tim Warfield Jr., keyboardist Bruce Barth and bassist Rodney Whitaker, all of whom give Hall just about... read more
Peter Erskine & the JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Bernstein in Vienna
by Mark Griffith, Modern Drummer
l asked the question while Peter and I were writing his Legends book, and I'll ask it again... Has Peter Erskine ever made a bad recording? Recently Peter has been talking in his Modern Drummer Jazz Insights column about playing big rooms (and studios) that might present a difficulty for other drummers; so when I saw that Bernstein in Vienna was done in a large concert hall and on (of all things) a Schagerl Brass drum set, I was very intrigued.... read more
Clarence Penn - Monk: The Lost Files
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
One day, someone will do a tribute to Monk and some snappy writer will conclude, 'well, you needn't', but this isn't that day. Super session drummer Penn and pals do a user friendly, contemporary spin on Monk that keeps the music breathing and sounding forward. A tasty, passionate set, Monk lives just as much as Bird does. Well... read more
Ira Sullivan & Stu Katz - A Family Affair - Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase
by DP, Jazziz
Is there a greater living standard-bearer of classic Chicago jazz than Ira Sullivan? Certainly few, if any, musicians possess a tastier, earthier sense of swing. On this nine-track set, the 80-year-old saxophonist/trumpeter teams with vibraphonist/pianist Stu Katz, a fellow old-school jazzer who first played with Sullivan 57 years ago but who never recorded with him until this 2010 date at Joe Segal's famed Jazz Showcase. Supported by pianist... read more
Emi Meyer - Monochrome
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A Seattle native that has managed to tear it up in Asia comes home to hang out with the crème of the Seattle jazz scene to turn out a set that makes you wonder if she's an art chick that can do whatever she wants because Paul Allen gets the first special thanks in the liner notes or is she a millennial Chris Connor. Today's lounge lizards can only listen to so much Cole Porter and this is certainly a sterling alternative come cocktail... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Abstract Quantities
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Warm-toned Chad McCullough / tp and evocative Bram Waijters / p-keys lead a subtle quartet with Piet Verbist / b and John Bishop / dr through a collection of quiet and lyrical originals. There's a bit of agitation and drive on material like "Glorious Traffic Jam," but for the most part you get sophisticated melodies gently laid out as on "Mr. Rubato," "Winter's Lament" and "Billions." The team is simpatico, and lets the candles burn all the way... read more
Robby Ameen - Diluvio
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Rich post-bop sounds are delivered by drummer Robby Ameen as he brings in a two sax arsenal of Troy Roberts/ts-ss and Bob Franceschini/ts-ss-bs as well as trombonist Conrad Herwig to front the rhythm team of Edsel Gomez-Bill O'Connell/p-key, Lincoln Goines/b and Mauricio Herrera/perc through some percolating arrangements. The horns weave through the assertive and snappy pieces like "Fast Eye" and they get thick with Franceschini on bari during... read more
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