Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Emma Larsson - Sing To the Sky
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
New York vocalist Emma Larsson made a splash with her 2010 sophomore effort Let It Go (Imogena). She has populated her recordings with predominantly well-envisioned original compositions, seasoning the album sequence with standards specifically chosen to meld with her unique sound. Her repertoire choice is eclectic without being eccentric.
On her present Sing to the Sky, Larsson reveals her fortitude by covering "Here's to... read more
José Luiz Martins - Odyssey Mixtape
by John Ephland, DownBeat
Full of spice, bristling with energy, Odyssey Mixtape plays like a party album, engaging anyone inclined who has an urge to move, if not dance. Produced by pianist/keyboard ist/composeer José Luiz Martins and flutist/vocalist Alex Hamburger, the music pops along from track to track. Its Brazilian harmonies and rhythms spread across an eclectic mix of music styles. Very radio-friendly, these seven tunes are easy on the ears with well-played... read more
Benny Powell - Nextep
by Will Smith, JazzTimes, Jan/Feb 09
It's most encouraging to hear some of jazz's senior citizens (Sonny Rollins, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Clark Terry and Hank Jones, among others) remaining active and creative in their sunset years. At age 78, trombonist Benny Powell may have lost a step or two with regard to his solo work on Nextep, his first recording in five years, yet he's still out there offering an abundance of music worth hearing with an often sprightly, burnished... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Ticket
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI.org
Vibrant, in the pocket, and cliche free this release is straight ahead small ensemble jazz with Latin tinges. Saxophonist Vega's compositions are delicate, nuanced, sophisticated, and intimate. Up beat tunes like "A Confluence in Chi-town" or "The Wizard" are compelling brain ticklers, and the mini-suite "Taurus on the Run" and "Taurus and Virgo" featuring the personable trumpet performance of Victor Garcia stand out. This is a rich and... read more
Nanami Haruta - The Vibe
by Doug Collette, Glide Magazine
The sleek tones of Nanami Haruta's trombone appropriately suffuse The Vibe as she and five other musicians wend their way patiently but authoritatively through eleven tracks recorded, mixed, and mastered by Corey DeRushia. That sensitive engineering emphasizes all the individual instruments, including Michael Dease's horns, Xavier Davis' piano, and the graceful rhythm section of bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. The... read more
Hal Galper Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi - Cubist
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
5-STARS Hal Galper has been in the jazz limelight now for over a half century, establishing his trademark sound in more traditional settings with alto saxophone luminaries Cannonball Adderly, and Phil Woods, and trumpet legend Chet Baker.
Yet in the new century, Galper has turned the piano trio concept on its collective ear, something that hadn't taken place in the jazz universe since Bill Evans entered the fray with his... read more
Michael Dease - City Life: Music of Gregg Hill
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Trombonist Michael Dease continues his catalogue building from th ecomposition skills of Gregg Hill, this time with a two disc album with two different band formats.
The first is a bopping trio session with Linda May Han Oh/b and Jeff 'Tain' Watts, with daughter Brooklyn Dease adding the innocence of a childlike voice to the multi-mooded "Movie Theme". Along with a Salt Peanuts take of JJ Johnson's "Sweet Georgia Gillespie" and a bluesy... read more
Tom Rizzo - Day and Night
by Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist
The arranging is a star feature on this album as well, though in this case the ten-piece ensemble is led by guitarist/composer Tom Rizzo. (The arranger is trombonist Nick Lane, who also plays on the session.) The program consists of a few originals but focuses on standards like "So In Love" and Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes," with a few curveballs thrown in: a slightly noirish version of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City," a swamp-funk... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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