Pianist and vocalist Dawn Clement forms a satisfying trio with all-stars Buster Williams on bass and drummer Matt Wilson for a mix of post bopping instrumentals and indie-oriented vocals. Her voice has a folksy reflection to it, as on the Randy Newman-ish "Forgive Me" and a Blossom Dearie take of Elvis Costello's "Someone Took The Words". She has an easy touch as she tickles the ivories on a bouncy "Elders' Holiday" and has fun around the... read more
He's got the beat
Sunday, September 12, 2004
By ANNIE PIERCE RUSUNEN, Columbian staff writer
Most musicians hit the road in their 20s and tour until the endless miles and late-night concerts take a toll on the soul.
Vancouver's Gary Hobbs is the first to admit he's doing things a little, well, backwards.
From his vibrant terra cotta-hued living room, this 55-year-old jazz drummer, sitting with his 9-week-old kitten,... read more
Relatively few jazz musicians take up soprano sax compared to the rest of the reed family, but Mitch Paliga is one who has mastered his instrument. These 2006 sessions focus exclusively on his originals, with Jo Ann Daugherty on Fender Rhodes, guitarist John McLean bassist Patrick Williams and drummer Ryan Bennett interpreting his demanding charts. Paliga's fluid approach never gets carried away, while the sensitive rhythm section complements... read more
The Jazz Orchestra of trombonist and composer Ben Patterson, based in Washington DC, recorded so much material in three days that two albums could be compiled from it. "Groove Junkies" contains the more fusion-oriented part of that, on "Mad Scientist Music" we hear the band in a kind of contemporary mainstream mode. But then, indeed, a bit crazy. To start with "Groove Junkies" (for the Telegraaf readers among us: Groove Junks): the opening... read more
Occasionally, in the midst of media-hyped young lions re-creating and staking claim to past innovations, a jazz recording will emerge that nurtures the essence of tradition with openness and candor. Such engaging qualities can be heard on Three, the third release from Portland, Oregon's Upper Left Trio, featuring pianist Clay Giberson, drummer Charlie Doggett and bassist Jeff Leonard.
Three is characterized by unabashed improvised intensity... read more
The always exciting saxophonist Jordan VanHemert is joined by Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker and Lewis Nash for these 9 rich and colorful jazz tracks.
The textured and melodic "Here And Now" starts with Stafford's soulful trumpet amid Sung's mature keys and Nash's light drumming, and "Tread Lightly" follows with scrappy drums and Whitaker's playful bass that suit VanHemert's bright sax bouts.
Landing the middle... read more
Pianist Darrell Grant has carved out a worldwide trail from his Pacific Northwest base of operations. His latest release is "Truth and Reconciliation," a two-disc effort that is as honest and earnest as ever. If you ever cross paths with him, he will strike you as a gentle soul - and his musical approach tends to reflect that as well as fluidity. One reviewer said the recording "might be categorized as music to make the world a better... read more
The title of this disc is concretely meaningful: Britton describes the life cycle of cicadas in his liner notes, emphasizing the wonder and mystery of the appearance and disappearance of these creatures and after acknowledging that no new really understands the functionality of this cycle, explains that these recordings having been dormant (missing, in fact) since 1992-93 have now emerged to share their impact and mystery with of the message... 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