Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Jeff Becker, Jazz Sensibilities
When legends from disparate realms converge, the outcome is either a harmonious melding or a discordant mismatch. Metropolitan Jazz Octet's (MJO) The Bowie Project, under the spellbinding vocals of Paul Marinaro, ventures into a daunting territory: fusing the rock genius of David Bowie with the intricate rhythms of chamber jazz. The outcome is an enthralling tribute, reverberating with the known and the novel.
Diving deep into Bowie's... read more
Hal Galper Trio - Invitation to Openness
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Veteran pianist Hal Galper is teamed with like minded mates Billy Mintz/dr and Tony Marino/b for a 2008 "live in studio" session. Galper's touch is classy on his intro to a glowing "Embraceable You" that has the bassist pop the clutch and change gears to turn into a romp, while the leader keeps the current steady for is opening for the flavorful "Ambleside". Mintz rides the whip for the leader's blue ivories on "Winter Heart" and is playful and... read more
Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
For his second session on Seattle?s respected Origin label, Thompson has put together a solid quintet and chosen some intriguing jazz compositions, often overlooked by others. The opener is Kenny Dorham?s ?Lotus Blossom,? a hard bop vehicle. Or how about Ornette Coleman?s ?Invisible,? a tricky melody line that nobody has given any attention to for years. Then there?s ?This Is for Albert?, a rather lyrical and tuneful Wayne Shorter creation.... read more
Kelly Brand Nextet - The Door
by Jeff Wanser, CD Hotlist: Baker & Taylor
The Door opens into a set of fine original compositions and arrangements by Chicago pianist Brand. To some extent this is a family affair, with her husband, Kelly Sill, on bass, and her daughter Naomi guesting on cello, but she gets much of her help from other folks on sax, flute, trumpet, drums, and occasional vocals. Her fourth CD, this is squarely contemporary, with excellent arrangements, tasteful solos, and beautiful melodies throughout.... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Parallel Tracks
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
The piano trio format serves me not only as a sort of nourishment, but also as a form of reset device. Every couple of months I push back the larger ensemble discs and and pull out the most vibrant piano trio discs of the past year or so, put them on the stereo and listen to some jazz, straight, no chaser, for pure personal enjoyment, and to recalibate the ears.
Seattle-based pianist Randy Halberstadt's Parallel Tracks, with its collective... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Paul Simpson, The Answer is in the Beat (WCBN)
Alright, so here's a previously unreleased live set performed by a bunch of artists I should probably be more familiar with. This concert was recorded after Galper had just finished a tour with Cannonball Adderley, and he's joined by Randy and Mike Brecker, Wayne Dockery, and Bob Moses. All six songs are around 10-25 minutes each, and all five musicians simply go off. Opener "Now Hear This" is just nonstop energy for 14 minutes. "Speak with a... read more
Corey Christiansen - Lone Prairie
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A cowboy spirited album from a Wes influenced jazz guitarist? Well, he is from Utah and he didn't go down Chris Parkening's road so when genes will out, it was bound to happen. Does it feel out of character? Nah. Hell, if you didn't already know "Streets of Laredo" was a cowboy song, this would sound like some introspective meditation. A solid listening date from a cat that really knows his stuff and how to serve it up right, in any... read more
Storms/Nocturnes - VIA
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Storms/Nocturnes consists of pianist Geoff Keezer, vibraphonist Joe Locke, and multi-reed player Tim Garland. While they have worked together in the past, this is the first time they have recorded under this new name. The beauty of this release is due in part to the Impressionist nature of each musician's originals, as it is easy to conceive images to every track. The trio fleshes out each composition with brilliant solos and tight ensembles.... read more
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