Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Corey Christiansen - Lone Prairie
by Martin Z. Kasdan Jr., Louisville Music News
Guitarist Corey Christiansen shines on his new album, which includes new renditions of the title track, "El Paso," and others from the folk/country canon, as well as three originals and Ennio Morricone's "Il Grande Massacro." Joined by pianist Steve Allee and others, Christiansen seems to meld influences from Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell into his own voice. He pretty much plays "Streets of Laredo" as straight as a jazz guitarist can,... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Jeff Cebulski, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Like so many others, I was bummed when the artistically mercurial David Bowie died seven years ago. While I was not too familiar with his expansive oeuvre, I had been attracted to many performances, especially from the 1980's on. His theatricality and attention to production were so professional that I could tolerate his varying personae in appreciation of the Artist.
But much of his music escaped me. That's why I was inspired to learn more... 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
David Friesen - Day of Rest
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect Reviews
David Friesen is most known for his esteemed work on bass, where he's occasionally sprinkled piano into the equation. Here, though, his bass is absent, as he brings us his first recording with the piano front and center for the entire journey.
"Backward Glance" starts the listen with elegant, flowing key work that's quite warm and cozy, as Friesen settles in like an old friend coming for a visit, and "Day Dream" continues the grace with... read more
Clipper Anderson - Ballad of the Sad Young Men
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Hidden in the basement of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington is bassist/vocalist Clipper Anderson. Not ringing any bells? That's because he has been a sideman, buried behind the principals on upwards of 60 recordings while recording as leader on two previous releases: And to All a Goodnight (Origin Records, 2011) and The Road Home (Origin Records, 2012). Anderson follows up this latter recording with Ballad of the Sad Young Men,... read more
Doug Beavers Orchestra - Jazz, Baby!
by Stefan Sheppard, Zooglobble
All 10 songs here are traditional ("Twinkle Twinkle," "Shortnin' Bread," "Working' On the Railroad"), and the vocals take center stage. If there is any difference it's that the arrangements are stronger, with strong versions of "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" that take full-advantage of a 20+ member big band being two highlights. "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain" is done in a fun cha-cha style. It's a polished recording, and while... read more
Greg Yasinitsky - YAZZ Band: New Normal
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A proven swinger rallies his troops up to the fact that the tracks they started before Covid got started will have to be finished remotely if they are to be finished at all. This is one leader that doesn't have to worry about getting fragged by friendly fire as they rise to the challenge. Sounding delightfully seamless, this hard charging crew makes it easy to say that big band is hear to stay. A real pulse pounder that feels like a throw... read more
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by John Murph, Downbeat (Hot Box)
3 1/2 STARS The Poets Are Gathering is Benjamin Boone's most ambitious recording yet, one where he recruits a superb arsenal of poets who unravel their works with razor-sharp conviction and clarity. The marriage of jazz and poetry can invite as much scorn as it does celebration, perhaps stemming from spoken-word recitations overpowering middling music or accompaniment overcompensating for lackluster verses. But when deployed by Boone,... read more
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