Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by EJ Iannelli, All About Jazz
Recorded several years ago, in late 2002, Home of My Heart sounds as if it could have been -- were it not for its handful of latter-day charts by eighties pop supernova Christopher Cross and film composer John Williams -- recorded several decades earlier. The prevailing sound is classic big band, delighting in the force of its multitudes while consistently spotlighting its individual soloists.
Walden, who first made a name for himself in... read more
Sam Yahel - From Sun to Sun
by Stuart Kremsky, Cadence
After five albums on which he played only organ, Sam Yahel moved over to the piano bench for his last release on Origin, and he largely stays there for this new session. Yahel, joined once again by accomplished bassist Matt Penman and the ever tasteful drummer Jochen Rueckert, is insidiously charming on the free-flowing "2 Pilgrims" that opens the set. It's the first of ten original compositions by the keyboardist, whose caressing touch at the... read more
Clay Giberson - Spaceton's Approach
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz.com
There's much to be said for holding a band together over the course of years and performances and album/CD releases, honing the familiarity, comfort level and the intricacies of interplay. Think of the two great Miles Davis Quintets, or Keith Jarrett's Standards Trio.
There's also a lot to be said for the one-off affairs, the freshness and spontaneity and energy of a group of like-minded artists getting together for a single... read more
Keigo Hirakawa - Pixel
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Pixel, Tokyo-born, Ohio-bred pianist Keigo Hirakawa's third album as leader or co-leader of his own ensemble, has the sleek, laid-back feel of a well-engineered jam session as Hirakawa leads the way through seven of his generally engaging compositions (and one by guitarist Brandon Scott Coleman) with reliable backing from his supporting cast.
Besides Coleman, the trustworthy team includes woodwind specialist Rafael Statin, bassist Robert... read more
AsGuests - Universal Mind
by Larry Hollis, Cadence
If one had to choose a solitary word to describe Universal Mind, it would have to be "pensive." Homeported in the Hague, AsGuests was founded some fifteen years ago by vibraphonist Herak and pianist Vanoucek as a duo that eventually evolved into a quartet with a revolving cast of guest artists to augment the ensemble. Here they add a string trio to perform eight compositions written by the pianist. Except for "Solace Cells" and "Guanc,"... read more
Hal Galper / Jeff Johnson / John Bishop - Furious Rubato
by Bill Barton, Coda
The Harvard Dictionary of Music defines rubato as: "An elastic, flexible tempo involving slight accelerandos and ritardandos that alternate according to the requirements of musical expression." Pianist Hal Galper's liner notes elucidate quite eloquently his theories regarding rubato, parsing the basic pulse, "bending and shaping" the melody and harmony and - as he emphasizes - "you have to swing whatever tempo you're playing either basic,... read more
Richard Sussman - Live at Sweet Rhythm
by Ken Watkins, 100 Greatest Jazz Albums
Back in 1978 Richard Sussman led a quintet that produced the much-admired album 'Free Fall'. Twenty-five years later the group reformed at the Sweet Rhythm for this live performance. The band - Richard Sussman (piano), Tom Harrell (trumpet), Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax), Mike Richmond (bass), Jeff Williams (drums) - was carefully put together, as Richard Sussman explains:
'The first jazz that really turned me on was the quintet and sextet... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review
A flugelhorn player that has earned his spurs as an arranger and conductor while laboring in the vineyards for a long time for cats as disparate as Dave Liebman and Bob Brookmeyer, he knows his jazz and thanks those long gone for the music that inspired him as well as those still around that taught him. Not nearly a kid and playing like an adult, this is sitting down big band listening music that'll have you bobbing your head and tapping your... read more
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