Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Walt Blanton / Tony Branco / John Nasshan - Monuments
by John Barron, All About Jazz
The notion of forming a group with the intention of playing completely improvised music is something that Las Vegas trumpeter Walt Blanton says has always fascinated him. While the concept of performing free-form jazz is nothing new, it is a bold move for an artist, like Blanton, not usually associated with the genre.
After experimenting with sounds and concepts for about a year, Blanton, along with pianist Tony Branco and drummer John... read more
David Sills - Green
by Grego Applegate Edwards, Cadence, Oct-Nov 2007
West Coast tenor David Sills presents an interesting mix of Hard Bop and Tristano-Konitz-Getz Cool on his latest CD. The presence of Alex Foster is most welcome?he brings his style remarkably in tune with Sills' vision and still sounds great in the process. In the arrangements the two saxes often play in tandem with the guitar on the head melodies, like on "Melon Head" and "Fontok." It adds a dimension and gives good contrast with the rhythm... read more
Tom Luer - Project Popular
by Adam Greenberg, All Music
Cross-pollination between jazz and pop music has become something of a mini-trend in the last few years, ranging from interesting fusions and covers on smaller labels up to a high-exposure Grammy for Herbie Hancock's renditions of Joni Mitchell songs. In the same vein, Los Angeles-based sax player Tom Luer reworks a handful of major hits into easygoing West Coast modern jazz on Project Popular. This is light, airy music fresh from the cafes more... read more
New Stories - Speakin Out
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4-STARS New Stories is a seasoned piano trio (and a very good one) rendered even more persuasive on Speakin' Out by the singular presence (on five of nine tracks) of renowned saxophone maestro Ernie Watts. The trio itself consists of pianist Marc Seales, bassist Doug Miller and drummer (and Origin Records founder) John Bishop. The wide-selling album, a centerpiece of Origin's catalog since its initial release in 2000, when New Stories... read more
Brent Jensen - Trios
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Alto saxophonist Brent Jensen reinterprets seven classic, time-tested standards on Trios; and if the word "standards" makes you think "mainstream," don't be surprised if the sound here incorporates a free and elastic vibe.
The Idaho-based reedman -- the Director of Jazz Studies and Woodwinds at College of South Idaho in Twin Falls -- employs two very different trios on this, his fourth Origin Records release. Three tunes feature Jamie... read more
Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet - Live at LunÀtico
by Chris Cooke, KIOS (Omaha)
A compelling, vibrant recording by bassist Arthur Kell and his Speculation Quartet, "Live at LunÀtico", is well worth your attention.
Arthur Kell (bassist, composer) is one of the most original voices on today's New York City jazz scene. Based in Brooklyn, New York. He has played with a stellar cross-section of the most influential jazz musicians for decades. On the new release he is joined by Nate Radley and Brad Shepik (guitars) plus Allan... read more
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Poetry is delivered in a variety of bohemian settings as saxist Benjamin Boone teams up with a rotating rhythm team as well as guests on this clever and Beat Generation session of the 21st Century. Craig Von Berg contributes Vince Guaraldi-styled piano for "Making Light of It" while cool bop tones are formed for Levine on "Gin." Chris Potter brings his warm tenor for some bop flavored narration on the sleek "The Unknowable" with Branford... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Flash Point
by Ken Watkins, 100 Greatest Jazz Albums
Seattle-based pianist Randy Halberstadt's second release for Origin offers three attractive dimensions to his music as performer and composer.
The band is Randy Halberstadt's regular trio - Randy Halberstadt (piano), Jeff Johnson (bass), Mark Ivester (drums) ? expanded to a quintet on seven of the nine tracks with the addition of Mark Taylor (alto /soprano saxes) and Thomas Marriott (trumpet / flugelhorn).
Miles Davis' 'Solar' and Sam... read more
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