Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jeff Johnson - My Heart
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
4-STARS What could possibly be so interesting about a thirty-two-year old session of first takes, recorded live to 2-track DAT by a quartet led by a Seattle- based bassist who is not exactly a household name? A quick answer would include superlatives such as "masterful," or "historic." A brief history of bassist and composer Jeff Johnson creates a better sense of understanding. Johnson is perhaps best known as a pioneering member of... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Editor, Women in Jazz Media
A deeply personal, fully original album exploring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of jazz — raw, poetic, and transcendent.
Blessed & Bewitched blends five original compositions with two reimagined jazz classics, recorded between New York City and Vienna with an international ensemble. The music bridges the intimacy and elegance of golden-era jazz with a modern, deeply personal sensibility.
The album is not just music—it... read more
Bug - The GADfly
by Jan P. Dennis, Audiophile Audition
Multi-reed master Peter Epstein (exclusively on alto sax here), who conceptualized and brought to life one of the great discs of the new century, The Invisible, anchors a very attractive jazz-rock group featuring the Miley brothers, Jeff and James. Long, loping melodic lines, intuitive ensemble interaction, striking soling, and gorgeous colorations set this music apart from run-of-the-mill indie jazz offerings.
All compositions are by Jeff... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition
****1/2 Stars
Unlike many jazz artists, Bobby Broom made a name for himself quickly. At the age of sixteen, he auditioned and was invited to tour with Sonny Rollins. His mother interceded and Broom attended Berklee School of Music in Boston instead. There he played with Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison. After returning to New York, he reunited with Rollins, and this time toured extensively (including... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - Eternal Aporia
by Jane Kozhevnikova, All About Jazz
For some people, tango means the dance with a stereotypical red rose between the teeth. For Ben Thomas, a percussionist and bandoneonist from Seattle, tango is much more than that: it has been an important part of his life for at least fifteen years before the 2022 release of Eternal Aporia. The album includes twelve of his original compositions mixing tango with jazz and classical chamber music.
Joining Thomas on the album are Eric Likkel... read more
Thomas Marriott - Both Sides Of The Fence
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Recorded two years after his Origin Records debut Individuation, Marriott is back with his second Origin release, Both Sides of the Fence. What stands out about this release is the song selection, a mixture of three Marriott originals along with an impeccably well chosen six other tunes by such artists as Ellington, Corea, and Hubbard. Recorded in Seattle, with noted local players, with the addition of two special guests - present day Seattle... read more
Les DeMerle - Hittin' the Blue Notes, Volume 2
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
A lot of us jazz fans cut our listening teeth on Blue Note records by Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Lee Morgan and more. The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band's Hittin' the Blue Notes, Vol. 2 celebrates that classic sound with a set of swinging, hard-driving hard bop tunes.
Les DeMerle sat in the drummer's chair in the Harry James Orchestra for twelve years, and he brings to this project an exuberant and swinging propulsion, a crisp and brightly... read more
Clarence Penn - Behind the Voice
by Stephen Graham, Marlbank (UK)
We're not really fans of albums with more than one or two singers present so approached Behind The Voice, which has 5 featured singers plus vocodered effects from the leader the fine ex-Betty Carter drummer Clarence Penn, with a certain amount of caution. Recorded over a period of two years at a Brooklyn studio we expected the best vocal choice to come from Kurt Elling who is on a cover of Peter Gabriel's 'Come Talk to Me.'
Of... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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