Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Gabriel Espinosa - The Brazilian Project
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Beyond the Title: Gabriel Espinosa's The Brazilian Project Reimagines Jazz as a Borderless Language
Don't let the title fool you, the Brazilian Project isn't really a Brazilian album, at least not in any obvious way. Sure, the arrangements borrow bits and pieces from Brazilian music, but this isn't some straightforward tribute. Even knowing the composer hails from Mexico doesn't help much with pinning down the style. At its... read more
Hal Galper Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi - Cubist
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
One of the un-heralded giants of jazz, pianist Hal Galper displays style, class and the taste that only comes from years of being on the scene. He brings up fellow vet Jerry Bergonzi/ts along with the supple support of Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr for a mix of standards and originals. Of the latter, the team stretches out on Johnson's own "Scene West" with some lyrical bass work and Galper delivering substance and accessible creativity,... read more
Clay Giberson - Upper Road
by Doug Yovanovich, e. peak
Clay Giberson's second album Upper Road takes listeners to a quiet place away from jazz's beaten path and seduces their senses admirably. The distinct sax and keyboard sounds tickle the upper octaves without being vivacious and without contradicting the soft mood of the supporting instruments. Portland native Giberson plays the piano and synth with the same creativity as Pat Metheny, who is regarded as a forefather of experimental electric jazz.... read more
Les DeMerle - The Jazz Spirit of Christmas
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Presumably taking advantage of some time off touring, Les DeMerle joins up with a small group for a jazz Christmas album. It's nightclub fare in general, with steady instrumental work from the crew and some solid vocals from Bonnie Eisele, DeMerle's wife. Ken Peplowski takes some very nice classic post-bop solos from time to time, playing off of DeMerle's drums perfectly, and bassist Bill McCrossen, though staying in the back for the majority of... read more
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by Brenda Nelson-Strauss, Black Grooves
Composer-saxophonist Benjamin Boone continues his fascination with poetry and jazz on his latest album, The Poets Are Gathering. The Cal State University Fresno professor, who has released two previous collections devoted to this pairing, notes that jazz and poetry have been inextricably linked since the Harlem Renaissance. Following the tradition of artists such as Langston Hughes and Charles Mingus, who collaborated on the album Weary Blues... read more
Michael Dease - City Life: Music of Gregg Hill
by Arturo Pepe, Tracce di Jazz
A double disc of absolute substance is the one given to us by trombonist Michael Dease, born in 1982, a native of Augusta, Georgia, as well as his main mentor from Georgia, his colleague Wycliffe Gordon, older by a generation, a sort of institution in the field. Even Dease for several years can be considered as a true eminence of the instrument, although his name, in spite of the continuous placements in the DownBeat, won five times, is not very... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Spirit Songs
by Ed Sapiega, Jazz Views (UK)
Anthony Branker is a multi-talented artist who is known for his sophisticated approach to modern creative post-bop jazz. He is a composer, arranger, musical director, and educator.
Branker trained to be a trumpet player, however, he has focused on composing for much of his career due to health issues resulting from a brain aneurysm in 1999. Branker has been recognized as a "Rising Star Composer" in the 62nd and 63rd Annual Critics Poll by... read more
Paul Marinaro - Mood Ellington
by Jim Hynes, Making A Scene
My first reaction to this excellent double disc from Chicago-based vocalist Paul Marinaro was simply the pure joy of having 25 of Duke Ellington and/or Billy Strayhorn's tunes in one collection. Yet, delving into the album more deeply, it was the inventive arrangements and Marinaro's confident, unhurried phrasing and natural affinity for the material that was most impressive. This massive project ranks easily as one of the top male vocal albums... read more
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