Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ray LeVier - Ray's Way
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Ray Levier had spent plenty of time as a studio musician, a sideman, and a touring accompanying drummer. Here he finally lets loose as a bandleader for the first time, taking with him a set of fairly well-known musicians and a generally outstanding band. While Levier is the nominal bandleader, his approach tends toward the quieter side of affairs for much of the album, accentuating the work of the other musicians more than making himself known... read more
Clipper Anderson - Ballad of the Sad Young Men
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Ballad of the Sad Young Men: In which we find the piano jazz trio amiably recreated as a cabaret act with the singing bass payer at the wheel. Digging into the oldies vocal canon and blowing off all the obvious choices for some more daring and overlooked picks, the sum total is a grand set of sophisticated listening by one of those rare male vocalists that doesn't feel the need to ape Robert Goulet or Tony Bennett. There isn't a false note in... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The Austrian vocalist Maja Jaku brings her distinct voice to these 7 personal tracks that comprise this rich 5th album.
"The Witch" starts the listen with Dezron Douglas' emotive bass and Alan Bartus' intimate keys that suit Jaku's striking voice, and "I'm A Queen" follows with Johnathan Blake's strategic drums amid the expressive singing.
"Blessings Will Come" and "Never Let Me Go" land in the middle. The former has Jaku singing with a... read more
Giacomo Gates - Centerpiece
by Ray Hogan, Stamford Advocate
Given the strength of his husky voice, it seems appropriate that Gates spent more than a dozen years working on the Alaska Pipeline. It was a local arts festival and a chance encounter with Sarah Vaughn that encouraged him to pursue a music career in the late 1980's.
"In this kind of music, it's about intention, honesty and what comes through in your voice. The experience of life," he says. "Chet Baker didn't have a great range, but wow, when... read more
Michael Orenstein - Aperture
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
An LA based jazz piano cat t hat's paid his dues while being influenced by Herbie Hancock seems to have waited until just the right time to deliver his auspicious debut. Kind of smooth jazz with bite, this is top shelf sitting down jazz that moves and grooves with fine style and chops. Classy throughout, this is the tour de force you are always looking... read more
speak - Speak
by Jay Collins, Cadence
Too often, the Jazz press laments the lack of mentorship in Jazz, with too many musicians coming right out of the conservatory without continuing oversight from more seasoned musicians. While the youngish 40 year old Cuong Vu might seem an unlikely "Jazz Elder," various playing experiences with the likes of many cutting-edge New York City groups, as well as big names like Pat Metheny or Laurie Anderson, seem to have prepared him for this course.... read more
Joonsam - A Door
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Joonsam is a bassist that brings together a wide palate of sounds and colors. The core trio with Aaron Parks/p and Nate Woods/dr are augmented by a rotating team of Ralph Alessi/tp, Ben Monder/g, and a handful of cameos. Wood rocks hard with Monder's guitar on "Zadrak" and the trio rustles to Alessi's horn on "Whirlwind." Reflective and quiet, "Love Trauma" is enhanced by Yeahwon Shin's vocals" and Chung Eun Han's bamboo flute reflects like a... read more
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Richard Kamins, Step Tempest
Saxophonist and vocalist Abate Berihun emigrated from his native Ethopia to Israel in 1999. He had been a busy working musician in his native country, playing in the Military Band, having his own group at the age of 21, and touring Europe on numerous occasions. His move to Israel was marked by menial non-music related jobs before he began to make connections. He was introduced to Israeli pianist and composer Yitzhak Yedid in 2002, with whom... 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