Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Alex Graham - Brand New
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Alto sax player Alex Graham's album Brand New attempts to live up to its own title largely by reworking classic pieces (and a few less-common items in the jazz world) into a new form for an interesting sextet combination. The album opens with a piece from the Stylistics that is just this side of recognizable. An original blues club number from Graham follows, as well as a couple of interesting arrangements of old songbook classics. An Isley... read more
Bridge Quartet - Night
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
Night has a talented quartet pinning their ears back and playing their butts off on a variety of familiar pieces. the opening "Wouldn't it be Loverly" quickly establishes that Phil Dwyer is one of those saxophonists who likes to go on stream-of-consciousness rants in his solos. He generally does this in more laidback fashion than Sonny Rollins or Dexter Gordon, even on an uptempo "Green Dolphin Street." But on Rollins' "Strode Rode" he really... read more
Wellstone Conspiracy - Motives
by Doug Simpson, Audiophile Audition
What is the Wellstone Conspiracy? For some political intrigue junkies it alludes to the 2002 death of liberal Senator Paul Wellstone who perished in a small plane crash which some pundits believe was caused by an assassination scheme. For Pacific Northwest jazz fans, however, Wellstone Conspiracy is a skilled quartet which formed in 2006 to back up Idaho-based soprano saxophonist Brent Jensen. The musicians were last heard together on Jensen's... read more
Amit Friedman - Sunrise
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
This seems to be shaping up as the year of the "Sunrise." Two outstanding sets by that name have been released in 2012: one by the Masabumi Kikuchi Trio on ECM Records, the other a self-produced gem by the Indo/American chamber ensemble, Karavika. Israeli saxophonist Amit Friedman makes it a triptych with his own Sunrise, on Seattle's Origin Records.
Friedman has a knack for memorable melodies enmeshed in sophisticated and lively... read more
Piet Verbist - Suite Réunion
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Originally formed as an outlet for the things he was writing that didn't fit into the various formats for all the other groups he was working with contemporaneously, this nu ECM cool school instrumental set lights the way to the creative future for musos unafraid to take chances in that distinct Euro way, not a surprise since Verbist is from Belgium. Angular without sharp edges poking you, this is real listening music that knows how to chart... read more
Chad McCullough Bram Weijters - Urban Nightingale
by Music Editor, De Standaard - Belgium
With Urban Nightingale, the very industrious young Belgian pianist Bram Weijters, makes his second album with the American trumpeter and flugelhorn player Chad McCullough. Weijters wrote seven of the nine songs and created a harmonically balanced set of music. 'Nightingale' is a compelling and intelligent opening piece in which McCullough's muffled bugle sets the tone with long lines and a colored, pure, melancholy tone. 'Tired and Dizzy'... read more
Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
Trumpeter Tito Carillo's second bite of the apple on Origin was more than a decade in the making, following up his outstanding first release, Opening Statement (Origin, 2011). With Urbanessence (Origin, 2022), the Chicago-based artist is truly up to the task, producing a work which is an homage to everyday life in the city. The narrative makes the point that cities are home to creators, visionaries and an army of people who are... read more
Bobby Broom - Song And Dance
by Owen McNally, Conneticut Music
Even when not orbiting the solar energy field ruled by his longtime boss, Sonny Rollins, guitarist Bobby Broom generates much warmth and power while presiding over his own musical universe.
"Song and Dance," in fact, is a fine reminder that Broom, a consummate sideman with such heavyweights as Rollins and Dr. John, is also a capable leader. Most especially so with his tightly knit trio, which co-features bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect