I can recall hearing a teenage Marriott sounding for all the world like Clifford Brown! As most musicians do, he's moved into other arenas, certainly finding his own voice, but it remains at times a silvery, gorgeous trumpet sound. On these seven originals, Marriott works little miraculous turns with tenor man Hans Teuber, and leaves lots of room for pianist Gary Versace and his rhythm section to create on their own terms. Marriott's... read more
New York trumpeter, Eddie Allen, leads this ensemble he calls PUSH through a baker's dozen of tunes, including ten original compositions. The album title "Rhythm People" says it all. The arrangements splash on the scene with mad rhythms. They push the title track ahead in 6/8 time, adding an African flair to the arrangement. A quarter of the way through, the PUSH ensemble changes the groove to a bluesy 4/4 Straight-ahead feel, letting Eddie... read more
A quick trip to multiple reedman Alex Graham's web site finds his sound compared to Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, and Horace Silver, but a couple of spins of The Good Life tells you that these reactions must be referring to the band's collective sound. Graham plays alto sax, flute, and clarinet -- the latter two reeds on the opener only-but he's an alto saxophonist first and foremost on this outing. His tone on that main horn sounds like Jackie... read more
Don't let the "polytonal" name fool you, this is a nice and pretty traditional big band with some extra-expressive soloing (that's part of the "polytonal" ingredient.) playing very nice and well-conceived charts. Most of the compositions and arrangements are by trumpeter Brad Goode and they run the gamut from inside and swingin' to slightly funky. Goode's arranging approach is where more of the polytonal aspect of the band enters, but it isn't... read more
4 1/2 STARS On January 24 and 25, Studio5 will host Chicago's finest relatively unacknowledged baritone Paul Marinaro performing music from his recently-released double album, Mood Ellington (Origin Records). Marinaro's generally weak national recognition is a shame. While he tends to organize ambitious recording projects (such as 2023's The Bowie Project), Marinaro is always up to the task, and Mood Ellington is not... read more
This trio utilizes a Hammond B3 organ (Sam Yahel), a tenor sax (Joshua Redman) and drums (Brian Blade). All are superior musicians.
Six of the nine tracks were written and arranged by Sam; the rest include a bop standard by Ornette Coleman, a tune by Paul Simon and another by Gilberto Gil/Joao Donato.
The tunes range from simple to complex, and cover a spectrum of meters: from standard 4/4 to waltz, Latin-tinged and no regular beat at... read more
4-STARS Bassist Jeff Johnson and multi-reedist Hans Teuber have a musical and personal friendship that goes back to the late eighties when both first arrived in the northwest outpost that is the city of Seattle. The jazz scene in the Pacific Northwest has always been prolific, though to many, a hidden gem outside of the main pulse of jazz cities such as New York and Chicago. In many ways, Deuce, is a snapshot of 30 years of musical give... read more
Pianist Jessica Williams explores the music of John Coltrane, playing compositions from various parts of his career as well as original pieces that strongly show his influence. All the familiar Coltrane characeristics are here: heavy chords, grand swirling introductions, and slowly unwinding melodies. But there are not a lot of direct takes from his most familiar pianist, McCoy Tyner. Williams' playing is based more on the rich melodic sweep... read more
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.
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