Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Mike Pope - The Parts You Keep
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Geoffrey Keezer's piano introduction is stunning on an original composition by Mike Pope called "Misgivings." This tune was so captivating that I had to play it twice before I could go forward with reviewing this album. It's not only his piano elegance and delivery, but the melodic flow of this composition and the unexpected movement of this piece that hypnotizes me. Mike Pope's electric bass is melodic, playing his own song, almost like a... read more
Geof Bradfield - melba!
by Kirk Silsbee, DownBeat Magaziene
If for no ther reason than he's giving orchids to the neglected legacy of the late trombonist/composer Melba Liston (who died in 1999 at the age of 74), the Chicago-based saxophonist Geof Bradfield deserves our attention. It just so happens that in this release he's composed a good little suite of peices that touch on Liston's considerable artistic journey, and turned his fine septet loose on it. Bradfield's pieces are sturdy, and most would... read more
Dee Daniels - Jazzinit
by John Stevenson, JazzReview.com
Every now and then, the art and craft of jazz gets a kick up its rear end. Put more politely, it is updated from time to time.
A small number of jazz instrumentalists and vocalists do this by planting melodic flags on altogether higher harmonic peaks. With Bebop, for example, Charlie Parker and John Birks Gillespie upended swing's sway with dizzying feats of individual improvisation; Ella Fitzgerald single-handedly transformed the role of the... read more
Carlos Vega - Art of the Messenger
by Paul Abella, WDCB, Chicago
Carlos Vega's Art of the Messenger might very well end up being a contender for one of my favorite albums of the year. And when you dissect the pieces, it's easy to understand why. First, start off with a who's who of young(ish) Jazz players in Chicago - Vega plays tenor sax and writes the songs. Victor Garcia is the trumpet player, Stu Mindeman is on piano, Josh Ramos is on bass and Xavier Breaker is playing the drums. Second, write some... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Cedric Hendrix, Cirdec Songs
Speaking of David Bowie, I'm digging on this little ditty from Origin Records. The The Metropolitan Jazz Octet has done a terrific job rearranging a collection of Bowie tunes from rock and pop to jazz. Vocalist Paul Marinaro sings in different ranges than the original tunes, giving them a nice, new flavor.
What I love most is the band spends a decent amount of time on Bowie's Heathen album, which is one of my personal favorites. Well done,... read more
Carl Schultz - The Road to Trantor
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
From the very first listen, The Road to Trantor feels like a time machine. For those who lived through the 1970s, the echoes are unmistakable, a return to the lush, exploratory sound world of progressive pop and early fusion, when synthesizers were not just instruments but portals to the future. The keyboard textures here recall a lineage that began with the Mini Moog and continued through the Yamaha DX7 and Roland Juno, instruments that shaped... read more
Brad Goode - Montezuma
by Dave Sumner, Wondering Sound
Another solid outing from trumpeter Brad Goode, who shows from album to album how changing a few little things can have a big effect. Whether it's adding an unusual instrument to the mix or rethinking old standards and modern pop tunes, there's always plenty of interesting stuff going on. His current album has Goode joined by pianist Adrean Farrugia, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Anthony Lee. Aside from some nifty originals, the highlights... 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
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