Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Western Jazz Collective - Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
The Western Jazz Collective is a seven-member co-op group that actually hails from America's Midwest—more specifically, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo—where the ensemble's crew serve as members of the faculty. The designation "Western" thus refers to the university rather than the septet's geographic location.
Be that as it may, what infuses and animates the Collective's debut album, Dark Journey, is the music, all of... read more
Phil Kelly - Convergence Zone
by Jae Sinnett, Jazz Programmers List
"Convergence Zone" adds a much needed upgrade to what the jazz orchestras are dealing with today in terms of predictability. The arrangements are
challenging, fun and work only because of the quality of these musicians playing them. The sections are cohesive and beautifully in tune. The dynamic range of this band is refreshing. Jay Thomas is one of many standouts. Considering the overhead involved with making something like this work, give... read more
Jeff Johnson - Suitcase
by Brady Somers, Earshot Jazz
Jeff Johnson?s latest release, Suitcase, pulls from melodies and tunes written during an earlier era of his career. With long-time collaborator Hans Teuber on saxophones, bass clarinet and flute and newer music partners Steve Moore on piano and Eric Eagle on drums, Johnson leads the listener through a voyage of contrasted stylistic outings. From the chaotic yet controlled conversations in ?Shake It Off? and ?Picasso? to the serene pastures... read more
Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet - Live at LunÀtico
by Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Exciting eclectic jazz Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet - LIVE AT LUNÀTICO: Bassist Kell's upcoming release (17 November, 2023) is certainly among the best of the exciting eclectic jazz albums we've had the pleasure to review (yet) in 2023... first, here's a short clip of the group performing together...
In addition to Arthur's brilliant bass work, you'll hear Brad Shepik - guitar; Nate Radley - guitar and Allan Mednard - drums...... read more
Geof Bradfield - Our Roots
by Michael Jackson, Downbeat
In each of his four CDs for Origin, the enlightened, musician-led label from Seattle, commencing with Urban Nomad in 2008, through African Flowers (2010), Melba (2013) and Our Roots (2015), Chicago-based Geof Bradfield has proven himself a blue chip saxophonist/arranger/composer and conceptualist. Further to that, Houston-born Bradfield has emerged as a witty and informative live presenter of his ambition projects.
Case in point was a... read more
Benjamin Boone with the Ghana Jazz Collective - Joy
by Raul Da Gama, JazzdaGama
Charlie Parker and Steve Lacy have inadvertently cast gigantic shadows on both the instruments that Benjamin Boone just happens to play. The former, an alto saxophonist is, quite simply, one of the greatest musicians that ever lived; so great, in fact, that when listening to his inventions we often forget that it was Adolphe Sax, who, in fact, gave him the instrument on which to invent. And Steve Lacy took Sidney Bechet's "straight horn" and... read more
Michael Orenstein - Aperture
by S Victor Aaron, Something Else!
The untold positive story in jazz today is that there are still so many young men and women who are incredibly talented jazz musicians and willing to keep this genre alive, and for no other reason than being passionate about this music. One of these who has only in the last few years who has entered the scene is pianist and composer Michael Orenstein.
Already, Orenstein comes as a 2021 graduate (masters) from University of Southern... read more
Piet Verbist Zygomatik - Cattitude
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Bassist Piet Verbist sets the tone and the groove on this sleek and swinging set that is reminiscent of vintage Mingus on a collection of originals. He brings together Herman Pardon/dr, Bram Weijters/key and the brilliant double thick sax front line of Jeroen Van Herzeele/ts-ss and Vincent Brijs/bs. The two reeds feel like hot fudge poured over two scoops of vanilla on the sneaky beat of "Cattitude" and the languid "Double Trouble."... read more
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