Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Thomas Marriott - Flexicon
by David Dupont, Cadence
Thomas Marriott opens his session, Flexicon, with his own Hubbard cover, "Take it to the Ozone." Though Marriott clearly has learned as much from Hubbard as Gardner, what they've taken from the late trumpeter is different. Gardner captures the bluster and showmanship while Marriott has drawn from the lyrical side. I first encountered Marriott on Christmas sessions from Origin. I assumed he was an older journeyman, someone who had pared his... read more
Bobby Broom - Bobby Broom Plays for Monk
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
Guitarist Broom, a long-time sideman to tenor titan Sonny Rollins, has released a series of exceptional trio recordings in which he explores, deconstructs and otherwise re-invents familiar pop material (2001's "Modern Man" and "Stand!" and 2007's "Song and Dance"). On this exemplary outing he investigates Monk's music, introducing some daring new arrangements while maintaining a reverence for the material.
"Evidence" opens with a grooving... read more
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The conductor and arranger John La Barbera steers this New York City Big Band into hard-swinging territory, where the 4 arranged tunes and 6 originals are fleshed out with plenty of brass, winds and a stunning rhythm section.
The title track opens the listen with plenty of energy from the bright brass, before calmer bouts of grooves and Brandon Coleman's precise drums that make an impression, and "My New Summer Samba" follows with a... read more
Jim Norton Collective - Time Remembered: Compositions of Bill Evans
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
RINGER OF THE WEEK - While this collection represents a tribute to Bill Evans' compositions, Jim Norton could easily have subtitled this as a remembrance of another Evans, Gil. The woodwind/bandleader here focuses on the famed pianists work as a writer, but Norgon brings together a big band that includes enough brass and reeds to bring to mind vintage sessions like Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess from the Miles Davis/Gil Evans... read more
Kobie Watkins - Involved
by Brian Gilmore, JazzTimes
Drummers as leaders often have a difficult time putting
their imprint on recordings. Chico Hamilton, the L.A. legend and
giant, is the model for today's drummers. Chicago's Kobie Watkins on his album, "Involved" takes the leadership idea seriously. He plays, composes, and has assembled a group of very talented players to speak to the masses. Most of all, like Hamilton, Watkins does not fade into the background. His imprint on this recording is... read more
The Spin Quartet - In Circles
by Don Lerman, Cadence
The Spin Quartet consists of top-notch musicians who carve out an interesting group identity. The absence of a piano or guitar from the instrumentation of two horns, bass, and drums gives clarity and an open quality to the music, aided by the fine writing from mostly band members.
Trumpeter/flugelhornist Chad McCullough wrote five of the pieces, with the subdued "Oranges Are Supposed to be Orange" and bright-eyed "Haberdasher" among his... read more
Bill Anschell - Figments
by Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes
Bill Evans' 'Alone' is the default paradigm for introspective solo piano recordings. Evans was actually in Webster Hall in New York (capacity 2,500) when he recorded it, but he sounds exceedingly lonely. Bill Anschell recorded 'Figments' himself, after gigs, alone in his home late at night. Anschell does not sound like Evans, but the deep, rapt atmosphere of personal spiritual inquiry on 'Figments' is one that Evans would have... read more
Peter Erskine & the JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Bernstein in Vienna
by Russell Perry, WTJU
Drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report) has some terrific timing, recording a set of beautiful compositions by Leonard Bernstein that coincides with the film Maestro. Bernstein sets have been imbedded in jazz since Manny Albam (1957) with highlights including Andre Previn (1959), Cal Trader (1960), Dave Brubeck (1960), Stan Kenton (1961), Oscar Peterson (1962), Dave Liebman (1990), Richie Cole (1996), Bill Charlap (2003), Joe Policastro (2013),... read more
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