Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Brent Jensen with The Acoustic Jazz Quartet - The Sound of A Dry Martini
by Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
Educator, clinician, and A-one alto sax player, Brent Jensen honors one of the most self-effacing musicians in the history of jazz, Paul Desmond. The title comes from Desmond's ambition to "sound like a dry martini," probably very light on the vermouth. There are many "Desmond-isms" that he liked to use to describe his work. On the secret to his unique tone, he said "I honestly don't know! It has something to do with the fact that I play... read more
Mimi Fox Organ Trio - One for Wes
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Rich toned guitarist Mimi Fox is a pleasure to hear with every release and every setting. She has an inherent sense of swing to her note selection and plays for feeling instead of mindless chops. Here, she tackles the world of the Hammond B3 trio with organmeister Brian Ho and drummer Lorca Hart, saluting the early days of Wes Montgomery's similar trio in the process. She composes a healthy amount of the material, still leaving room for a tasty... read more
Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra - Without a Trace
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Reeves makes his mark early with the opening track giving "Speak Low" a Latin edge that let's you know he rounded up the gang for some hot playing and creative moves. Whether original or cover, leading or playing, Reeves is the man with the plan. Tasty, straight up jazz by a crew that loves to play it right and tight, this is a killer date throughout that never met a false note. A desert with no empty calories, this is a must to lodge on the... read more
Geof Bradfield - Our Roots
by Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield long has been drawn to the music of Lead Belly, and a while ago he got to do something about it. Invited by impresario Chris Anderson to pick a favorite album and perform its music at the Fulton Street Collective, Bradfield chose saxophonist Clifford Jordan's homage to Lead Belly, "These Are My Roots." But Bradfield felt free to reimagine the work according to his own tastes, the venture inspiring him to... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The multi-instrumentalist Ben Thomas treats us to 8 songs that are rooted in the traditional rhythms of Argentine tango, and he's got some excellent help for the unpredictable affair.
"The Promise Of Morning" opens with Thomas' animated bandoneon and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues' lively keys making for a unique energy, and "Sonia's Mask" follows with Eric Likkel's rich clarinet helping cultivate beauty amid the bandoneon and piano.
The middle... read more
Scenes - Destinations
by Steve Wyzard, Amazon
Scenes have now released six albums for Seattle's Origin Records, and one doesn't have to look too far to find descriptions such as "introspective", "impressionistic", "haunted", "ethereal", "Sunday afternoon jazz", etc when their music is being discussed. I won't short-change 2017's Destinations album by calling it "more of the same", but would much rather praise the timeless consistency of their sound and performances. Guitarist John Stowell,... read more
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
ECM Records has been noted for its "Nordic Cool," school, from its many recordings of Scandinavian artists, with pianist Tord Gustavsen coming most readily to mind. Seattle's Origin Records has what can be called its "Northwest U.S. Cool" with recordings from bassist Jeff Johnson, saxophonist Hans Teuber , and the collective trio Scenes, with guitarist John Stowell, drummer John Bishop and, again, Jeff Johnson on bass.
Scenes' eponymous... read more
Ben Paterson - For Once In My Life
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
Up until now, Ben Paterson has recorded as a pianist, but has always loved the sound of the organ and the "opportunity" to play bass as well as the melody was very tempting. So here you have it: Paterson on organ, Peter Bernstein on guitar, and George Fludas on drums and "Bingo!" you're immersed in a heady and blue jazz disc, featuring a wide range of material, including two Paterson originals and covers ranging from Frank Loesser's "I'll Never... read more
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