Origin Records Reviews

Jay Thomas with the Oliver Groenewald Newnet - I Always Knew
by Tara Peters, Earshot Jazz

Like stones polished by the sea, some ideas take time to wash ashore. The thought of a ballads project had been riding the waves of Jay Thomas' brain for years. A melodic and introspective multi-instrumentalist, Thomas has always been drawn to the great balladeers of jazz. It wasn't until collaborating with fellow trumpeter and arranger, Oliver Groenewald, that the idea caught its break. I Always Knew is the glistening gem—a dazzling collage... read more

Alon Farber Hagiga - Dreams I Dream
by Michael van Gee, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)

4-STARS For me, it's always surprising how many first-class musicians and bands come from Israel, offering innovative sounds, including saxophonist Alon Farber, who founded his quartet Hagiga back in 2001 and has recorded four albums. Now his fifth album has been released, once again underscoring Farber's creativity and ability to create a unified work of art from very different musical styles and traditions. His long-time, outstanding... read more

Michael Waldrop - Origin Suite
by David Cohen, Jazzenzo (Netherlands)

Composer, percussionist and vibraphonist Michael Waldrop defines music as follows: "a serious ordering of sound that strives to send messages to the listener, which can not be communicated by spoken or written language". From someone who has formed such clear thoughts about nature and the task of music one is inclined to expect a lot of good things.

The 'Origin Suite' amply satisfies these expectations. Waldrop guides the listener through a... read more

Matt Jorgensen + 451 - Another Morning
by Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz

Also on Origin is Matt Jorgensen +451, one of the most impressive live jazz bands in this region, with the potential to impress far afield. Their live performances are at times stunning -- supertight and driving. On disc, as live, the quartet has great confidence. Listening to them, you really do believe that there is every reason why their sound is arrayed their way, which, when you think about it, is a most curious thing.

Another... read more

Matt Jorgensen - Tattooed by Passion: Music inspired by the paintings of Dale Chisman
by Eric Scigliano, Seattle Met

The Sound of Paint Sizzling: Matt Jorgensen's "Tattooed by Passion": Abstract art meets its musical match in a local composer's inspired new album.

Painters from Vermeer to Picasso have celebrated music-making. Abstract expressionism is jazz played with a brush; Mondrian made boogie woogie out of squares and stripes. But musical homages to painting are much rarer. Pictures at an Exhibition, of course. Dave Brubeck's Miro Reflections and... read more

Mark Colby - Reflections
by Jan P. Dennis, Audiophile Audition

****1/2 Why is it that some jazzmen never seem to get their due? Mark Colby strikes me as one of these. Possessor of a brightly burnished, round, full, warm tone on tenor, he perhaps sounds most like his mentor Stan Getz, but not in a slavish or overweening way. Indeed, over the years he has developed his own individualized approach and sound. Moreover, he has complete control of his instrument, the ability to play with conviction in almost... read more

Les DeMerle - Hot Night In Venice: Live at The Venice Jazz Club
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record

A working muso for over 50 years, he knows how to give a crowd what it wants but this is an important recording for him. In the past he's seemed like an affable cat playing pretty for the people but this time around, he's more in touch with his hard hitting jazzbo side than he's shown in the past. Leading from the back of the riser, he's energized here giving something new and sharp to this collection heavy on oldies. There ain't a jive lick... read more

Hadley Caliman - Straight Ahead
by Alan Chase, The Wire

Seattle-based saxophonist Hadley Caliman, recently reemerged after close to 30 years in obscurity, with his latest Straight Ahead on Origin Records. Back in the 1970s, Caliman was the saxophonist of choice for artists ranging from Santana to McCoy Tyner. As the title of this CD implies, this is a straight-up, no-holds-barred, hard bop-oriented session in the vein of classic Blue Note recordings by Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Caliman's... read more

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