Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jim Knapp Orchestra - It's Not Business, It's Personal
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4 1/2-STARS The Jim Knapp Orchestra's CD It's Not Business, It's Personal, recorded in February 2009, was set to be released on November 19, 2021—six days after Knapp died at age eighty-two in Kirkland, Washington. Apart from his role as bandleader, Knapp was a trumpeter, composer, arranger and longtime faculty member at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Described by Grammy-winning composer/pianist Jim McNeely as "a brilliant... read more
Michael Vlatkovich Tritet w/ Jonas Tauber and Ken Ollis - Queen Dynamo
by David Dupont, Cadence
Michael Vlatkovich refers to his three-piece ensemble as a "tritet," maybe, I assume, to avoid the inevitable comparisons to all those other horn plus bass and drum trios. It's easy to see why. While that standard trio is typically used because of the openended freedom it allows, Vlatkovich's vision is more orchestral. True, the melodic material that bookend the performances tends to be little more than fanfares. But these simple melodic... read more
Marc Seales - American Songs, Volume 3: Time & Place
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The jazz man brings the funk with his third set of his version of jazzy Americana where Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes' take on "Wichita Lineman" figure prominently. Showing why his piano is one of the leading light of Pacific Northwest jazz, Seales makes one of those last word statements that speaks loudly. Check it... read more
Milan Verbist Trio - Time Change
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Change, from the Milan Verbist Trio and it's a solid set of tracks from introspect to lively. Opening with title track, Time Change, a somber yet insightful composition with Milan Verbist creating a calming presentation, adorned by Jens Meijer's light drum work. Toon Rumen takes the lead on bass with a standout melodic solo adding strong contrast to the track. Bop track, No, I... read more
Christopher Icasiano - Provinces
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz Halo (Belgium)
The American label Origin is mainly specialized in jazz based on tradition. With 'Provinces' they radically deviate from that course. You could say a kind of "close encounters of the unknown kind". The man who is responsible for this alone: multi-instrumentalist Christopher Icasiano.
The continuously drumming drums create an uncomfortable feeling from the start. With somewhat haunting Hans Zimmer soundscapes and relentlessly dark bass... read more
Greta Matassa - All This And Heaven Too
by Jason West, JazzSteps
Greta Matassa packs the energy, embellishment and awe of a gospel choir into her voice, wedding the secular and spiritual to invariably produce roof-raising performances. A spontaneous singer who is not afraid to challenge herself, Greta takes a lot of risks with her voice and sometimes these risks get her into trouble on this live recording, where, unlike a studio session, second chances are not an option. On "Why Try to Change Me Now/Crazy He... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Folk Music
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record.com
DEEP BLUE ORGAN TRIO/Folk Music: The only limiting thing about organ trios is that you better not stray far from that swing we know and love. And that's a bad thing? Bobby Broom and his two Chicago pals understand that basic truth of organ trios as they issue their third outing. Not a folk music collection in the 50's sense, like Ramsey Lewis Trio's "Music From Earth", this works on the word play that this is music for folks even if some of... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Cedric Hendrix, Cirdec Songs
Speaking of David Bowie, I'm digging on this little ditty from Origin Records. The The Metropolitan Jazz Octet has done a terrific job rearranging a collection of Bowie tunes from rock and pop to jazz. Vocalist Paul Marinaro sings in different ranges than the original tunes, giving them a nice, new flavor.
What I love most is the band spends a decent amount of time on Bowie's Heathen album, which is one of my personal favorites. Well done,... read more
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