An original composition by Jared Hall is the title tune, "Hometown." It has a warm, beautiful melody. Ben Markley begins the song with a piano bass line that sets mood and tempo. Born in Spokane, Washington, this project by Jared Hall celebrates memories of places, people and the family that shaped him. Musically and physically, he returns back to his West Coast roots.
Hall was lured home by a university teaching position offered from his... read more
4 1/2 STARS Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has established his jazz credentials over the years through a collection of beautifully inspired and well received albums on the Origin Records label. His formidable chops, extensive vocabulary, respect for tradition and penchant for musical adventurism has put him into the conversation concerning the top practitioners of his instrument in modern times. Marriott has the rare ability to look deeply into the... read more
For some 15 years, Carillo has been Chicago's post-bop standard bearer. A trumpet player in the tradition of Freddie Hubbard or Woody Shaw, Carillo leaves no doubt that he's a force in the power department. His basic group includes Windy City colleagues Benjamin Lewis, piano, Lorin Cohen, bass, and Dana Hall, drums. Two saxophone players are guests on a number of selections, bringing the quartet to a quintet. Eight of the ten tunes played here... read more
Chris Walden is an adventurous soul. He has made a strong presence in the Los Angeles big band scene with several albums of straight ahead big band music, yet he has tackled non-traditional pop music for big band arrangements of Disney's When You Wish Upon a Star, and It's a Small World After All. On his first big band effort, (2005's Home of My Heart, also on Origin Records), Walden took on film noir in a three-part suite, as well as the theme... read more
So, what, or who, is the soulful pianist Bruce Barth dedicating this trio album to? In the liner notes, Barth mentions the memory of a dear friend Montez Coleman, but truth be told, with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman, the sounds and styles are dedicated to a collection of inspirations.
Starting off is an upbeat tilt of the ivories to George Perry in "George's Dance" which has Barth and company tapping into their inner... read more
Pianist Jessica Williams continues to evolve, and what a pure music lover's joy it is to hear an artist entering her sixth decade on a roll, growing and expanding her vision. Classically trained at the Peabody Conservatory, jazz-trained in the bands of Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, Stan Getz and others, Williams furthered her education with her own?more than seventy?albums/CDs as a leader.
Always a high level jazzer, Williams rose to the... read more
Is Jessica Williams capable of a false step?
The pianist continues to put out one stellar recording after another, though without the fanfare that accompanies some of her peers. Her latest, a tribute to John Coltrane, is as soulful as anything she's recorded and just as elegant.
The eight tracks are evenly split between Williams originals and Coltrane classics. The opener, Williams' "The Seeker," plays like a Coltrane tune. Williams'... read more
Seattle bassist Jon Hamar utilizes a high-end sense of time, tone and taste to propel his drummerless trio on his solo disc Hymn. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer and alto saxophonist Todd DelGiudice contribute to this well-conceived collection of originals and jazz classics. Hamar pays homage to bass giants John Patitucci ("Blues for J.P.") and Ray Brown ("Comes Love"), yet the focus of the session is on the ensemble as a whole. The three interact... 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.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect