Guitarist Bobby Broom, now a fixture on the Chicago scene, is as well-known for his periodic work as a member of many of Sonny Rollins' groups during the past two decades as he is for his own efforts as a leader and accomplished guitarist.
Broom, who can be seen and heard in Chicago quite regularly, has issued, of late, a series of very good recordings. The newest, "Bobby Broom Plays For Monk," was released this week and continues the string... read more
This is an album that could be described as a "document", reflecting a brilliant performance produced in 2005 by the masterful Scott Reeves Quintet, with Russ Spiegel, Mike Holober, Howard Britz, Andy Watson, and Scott Reeves on Alto Bugle, Piston Alto Trombone and Electronics. This is a new concert by the Scott Reeves Quintet, particularly sophisticated, in which we find a particularly cozy atmosphere, that of the City College of New York.... read more
The German-born composer/band leader Chris Walden pays the rent with his television and movie work, scoring over thirty feature and television films, in addition to his writing for a variety of musical artists, including?Christopher Cross, Michael Bolton, Sheryl Crow, Paul Anka and Olivia Newton-John. The art of his heart, though, must certainly be his big band recordings, including No Bounds (Origin Records, 2006) and the Grammy nominated (Best... read more
Flautist Andrea Brachfeld's CV reads like a who's who of Latin jazz. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, and a recipient of some of the genre's most prestigious accolades (including the 2006 Chico O'Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award), she has recorded and/or performed with such luminaries as Paquito D'Rivera, Tito Puente, Slide Hampton and Wallace Roney. In a career spanning four decades she has released eight albums under her own name... read more
It's a story line that jazz fans encounter from time to time? long-time session player finally records an album under his or her own name. I can't help but cheer that effort and hope it works out. Being a team player is a noble calling in any field, but in jazz where the performance of the various pieces in the ensemble can create a whole so much greater than the sum of its individual parts, I can't help but want to cheer on the underdog who... read more
Another jazz project with a strong message, the sixth album with the noted pianist/composer leading concentrates on honoring the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. Grant - who has worked with Betty Carter, Tony Williams and Roy Haynes - calls this double disc his dream project. He has assembled some top sidemen and varies the 16 tracks among piano trio, quartet, quintet and settings for his vocals on some of the tracks. In addition, he... read more
If like me, you are unfamiliar with the term, "tempo rubato (free in the presentation, Italian for: stolen time) is a musical term referring to expressive and rhythmic freedom by a slight speeding up and then slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or the conductor." (wikipedia.org) This is the significant style being used throughout this disc. Bassist Jeff Johnson has studied Italian music quite a while and... read more
Jessica Williams, one of our top jazz pianists, has evolved since she tossed the record company expectations and jazz games out the window into the thorny rose bushes, and sought out her own way, and found it, via the establishment of her own record label, Blue & Red Records, and with the work she has done for Seattle's Origin Records. Songs for a New Century (Origin Records, 2008), and her tribute discs exploring the works of pianists... 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