Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jay Thomas with the Oliver Groenewald Newnet - I Always Knew
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Thomas, a veteran master of brass and reed instruments, teams with Groenewald, the man he describes in his liner notes as "the perfect fit for me as an arranger." With a band that includes ten of the Pacific Northwest's major jazz artists, the two explore the possibilities in a dozen ballads from the past nine decades. In the five years or so that the German-born Groenewald has lived near Seattle on an island in Puget Sound, he and Thomas have... read more
José Luiz Martins - Odyssey Mixtape
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
This Brazilian keyboardist immerses us in pure jazz fusion; a genre that demands caution, given that since the 1970s, we've encountered everything from the sublime to the forgettable. Yet here, we have a truly delightful album, one that revitalizes the style by infusing it with cultural depth. And should you have any doubts, a flute is there to remind you: this composer is unmistakably Brazilian, and we are all the richer for discovering his... read more
John Stowell - Resonance
by Dr. Frank Forte, Just Jazz Guitar, August 2005
Resonance is an excellent title for this unique CD by John Stowell. It was recorded in Portland, Oregon, between 2003 and 2004 at luthier Mike Doolin's home studio. All of the guitars were designed and built by Mike.
John's style and his complete control of the tone and timber of the guitar, his master of dynamics, and the wonderful guitars that Mike Doolin has provided, make this set resonate with joy and love.
Opening with an... read more
Ben Thomas - Triskaidekaphobia
by Scott Herring, Percussive Notes
On his third recording as a leader, vibraphonist Ben Thomas is joined by Eric Likkel, clarinet, Laura Caviani, piano, Clipper Anderson, bass and John Bishop, drums. All compositions, except "The Hat of
the Bearded Lizzard," are by Thomas, yet there is sufficient variety of styles to hold the listener's interest. Thomas runs the gamut of styles from the Klezmer inspired "Daring to Find Meaning in Flight"
to the bright samba "Patrolling the... read more
Ziggurat Quartet - Calculated Gestures
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
The Ziggurat Quartet consists of saxophonist Eric Barber, pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Doug Miller, and drummer Byron Vannoy, with all of the music consisting of challenging originals. Barber's robust tenor is featured in his tense "Sezimora." His "Oregonian Monkey Chant" may at first seem like a repetitious, slow-to-develop number, though a different perspective on its intricacies can be obtained by listening to it on headphones. Anschell's... read more
Mimi Fox Organ Trio - One for Wes
by Thomas Houbron, Couleurs Jazz (Paris)
It's January 2023, and for guitarists, from amateurs to the very best, this is a year that cannot be insignificant...
Indeed, on March 6th of this year, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the greatest representative of the "six strings" (according to me, but I am not alone): Wes Montgomery! Every jazz guitarist has the master's work as a shepherd's star. I always thought that Django had invented jazz guitar and that Wes... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
Composer Anthony Branker continues his pattern of assembling a first-rate group of musicians to interpret his works on Together, his fourth release for Origin Records. This rhythmically charged set features saxophonists Mark Gross and Ralph Bowen, along with the rhythm section of Jonny King on Fender Rhodes, Kenny Davis on upright and electric bass and drummer Donald Edwards.
The music gets off to a brisk start with "Unity," a pulsating... read more
Shawn Purcell - 180
by Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
Guitarist Shawn Purcell, who is based in the Washington DC area, worked with the U.S. Air Force's The Airmen Of Note for 15 years and with the US Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble. He has appeared on over 30 recordings including with singer Darden Purcell, tenor-saxophonist Chip McNeill and trombonist Ben Patterson. In 2019 he led his first album, Symmetricity, and the recent 180 (his debut for the Origin label) proves to be a giant step... 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