Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Brent Jensen with David Sills - Stay Cool
by Steve Sando, Mr. Lucky
The Brent Jensen/David Sills Quartet quite cleverly revives the West Coast Jazz sound on the disc Stay Cool (Origin Records 82403). Honestly, we were expecting next to nothing and then found ourselves running over to the stereo to turn up the volume once the recording got started. West Coast Jazz, in certain circles, has the reputation for being the 1950s equivalent to white rap. "Certain circles" continue to take all the joy out of jazz. We'll... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Nomad
by Jane Kozhevnikova, All About Jazz
4-STARS After his previous album, I Am Not A Virus (Big Round Records, 2021), inspired by the ongoing fight against racial prejudice, Jordan VanHemert releases Nomad, continuing to explore and embrace his Asian American identity. As the liner note says, this album is a celebration of Korean culture "through the melodies of both ancient & contemporary folk & children's songs, distilled through a modern jazz aesthetic."
The opening... read more
Piet Verbist - Zygomatik
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
Veteran Belgian bassist-composer Piet Verbist expertly blends bop, rock and funk feels on his debut as a leader. With huge upright tone, he lays down a heavy groove on the imposing opener, "PMS Alert," underscored by drummer Herman Pardon's muscular backbeat and Bram Weijter's slightly distorted Fender Rhodes. Tenor saxophonist Matt Renzi and baritone saxophonist Vincent Brijs create a telepathic dialogue on "Above & Beyond," before... read more
Jack Mouse - Range of Motion
by Grady Harp, Amazon
Jack Mouse is mighty - on the drums, on technique and on assembling a group of pros to bring this body of unique music together. There is a mixture of the hot new sound with an equal dose of nostalgic tunes that defy the listener to sit still. This is big sound jazz with a touch of Blue Note sound and despite the fact that the quintet numbers only five members, the manner in which they attack and play with the songs here makes it sound like a... read more
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Grady Harp, Amazon
Los Angeles pianist and composer Josh Nelson presents a love letter to Los Angeles - stating '"You can glean the future growth of the city by looking back at its history. So many things about L.A. have left an indelible impression on me, and there seems to be so many themes yet to be explored that I think I could almost do another volume. These projects all feel very cinematic to me." Each of the 10 story-driven tunes on this thematic album... read more
Les DeMerle - The Jazz Spirit of Christmas
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Presumably taking advantage of some time off touring, Les DeMerle joins up with a small group for a jazz Christmas album. It's nightclub fare in general, with steady instrumental work from the crew and some solid vocals from Bonnie Eisele, DeMerle's wife. Ken Peplowski takes some very nice classic post-bop solos from time to time, playing off of DeMerle's drums perfectly, and bassist Bill McCrossen, though staying in the back for the majority of... read more
Richard Sussman - Continuum
by Terry Holmes, New York City Jazz Record
As the title suggests, Richard Sussman?s album is a study in endurance. By reuniting with some of the players who appeared on his 1978 debut Free Fall and presenting a diverse roster of new tunes, Sussman underscores how true musicality is never diminished by the passage of time.
In other words, the ol? fellas still have it. Tenor man Jerry Bergonzi steps in straight from the woodshed on the Jazz Messengers-inflected ?Spare Change? and his... read more
Grete Skarpeid - Beyond Other Stories
by Camilla Slaattun, JAZZiNORGE (Norway)
JAZZ PROFILE: Grete Skarpeid just released her second album, "Beyond Other Stories", arranged and produced by Aruan Ortiz. A film team has followed Skarpeid and her collaboration with Aruan for four years, and this autumn the documentary Grete - and the Cuban pianist will be released.
Hi, Grete, how are you doing in these challenging corona times, and how has the last year been for you?
Last year started brilliantly... read more
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