Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Keigo Hirakawa - Pixel
by Oza, Jazz to Audio (Japan)
Keigo Hirakawa is a pianist residing in Dayton, Ohio, with the title of a Ph.D. in engineering, it seems. Another album that resonates with me? It wasn't on my radar, but I'm enjoying listening to it thanks to a recommendation. By the way, it appears to be his third leader album.
The lineup consists of a quintet with guitar and saxophone. I checked the members on his blog, and except for Robert Hurst, I hadn't heard of the others. The lineup... read more
Hal Galper - Trip the Light Fantastic
by Dave Sumner, Bird Is The Worm Jazz Blog
Jazz piano vet and highly regarded educator, Hal Galper offers another solid recording to his lengthy discography. Galper has a very identifiable sound, not sure I can adequately compare him to anyone. The way in which he strings notes together, it always leaves me with the impression of falling down a flight of stairs without ever leaving my feet? a controlled cohesive randomness that?s just a wee bit dangerous and could prove fatal. With Jeff... read more
Nick Finzer - The Chase
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
You have to love it when a cat can graduate from Julliard without letting it go to his head. Bone man Finzer takes his sweet time between releases and we are wise not to rush him. Charting some new courses that give us the opportunity to follow him without tripping, this fleet fingered, buoyant jazzbo makes his bone talk while supporting his composing and leading chops making the whole a real gasser. Inventive but keeping it's fun, spirited... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Blessings
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
Composer Anthony Branker does not play anything on Blessings but he has assembled an impressive group of musicians, including Ralph Bowen, Steve Wilson, and Bryan Carrott, to perform his work. Branker's music falls under the broad Mainstream Jazz umbrella. His pieces are heavy on melody and, as their titles suggest, have a decidedly spiritual feel. "Ascent" is a strongly uplifting piece with soaring horns supported by Carrott's vibes.... read more
Dan Cray - Meridies
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
A Chicago native and newcomer to New York City, pianist Dan Cray joins with bassist Clark Sommers, drummer Mark Ferber and tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger on his sixth CD as a leader. Originals like the Latin-tinged "Worst Enemy," the breezy waltz-time "East 69" and the gently swinging "Winter Rose (1728)" show the scope of Cray's writing and improvisatinal skills. Preminger's breathy tenor tones are prominently featured an the smoky ballad... read more
Michael Waldrop - Native Son
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Drummer-composer Michael Waldrop is a musical veteran with two big band projects (Time Within Itself and Origin Suite) behind him. This recording is an interesting instrumentation piano trio plus percussion. And these aren't just "any" percussionists, Brad Dutz is a percussionist who has made hundreds of recordings on the LA studio scene, and percussionist Jose Rossy is a onetime member of Weather Report. Waldrop's employment of the piano trio... read more
Kiki Valera - Vivencias en Clave Cubana
by Charlotte Algar, Songlines (UK)
Kiki Valera is a fantastic cuatro (double-coursed, steel-strung guitar, much like a tres but with one extra string) player. Valera, along with famed vocalist (and childhood friend) Coco Freeman, has delivered 12 original songs that constitute a brilliant debut. Vivencias en Clave Cubana is a fantastic homage to classic salsa. Valera adds some jazz-influenced solos, while Freeman brings a crooning feel to his perfectly executed melodies. The... read more
Bobby Broom - Bobby Broom Plays for Monk
by Owen Cordle, The News & Observer
Thelonious Monk's compositions and piano playing are declarative and often angular. On "Bobby Broom Plays for Monk" (Origin), Broom, a guitarist who plays regularly with tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, proves subtle and nuanced. With band mates Dennis Carroll (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums), this is a pleasing alternate take on Monk.
Monk never recorded with a guitarist except on bootleg tapes from a 1940s jam session. His bassist and... read more
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