**** (4-stars)
Composer and bassist Doug Lofstrom has been composing prolifically since the 1970s. His diverse scores reflect his ongoing involvement in theater, dance, film and symphonic music. In the 1990s, he was composer-in-residence for the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra and during the 80s, musical director of Chicago?s Free Street Theatre. His works have been performed by the St. Louis, Atlanta and Oregon Symphony Orchestras, and... read more
Nuance and soul are both earmarks of Dawn Clement's Break (Origin Records) where the pianist is joined by a fine rhythm section of bassist Dean Johnson and drummer Matt Wilson.
Clear, assured, nimble, and muscular articulation - in the manner of a Phineas Newborn Jr. - is matched to some of the varieties of thought and feeling that he, too, submerged just below the surface of fresh styling.
Clement sings on a few of the tracks.... read more
Q&A
With a powerful four-octave voice that sounds as if it's been fermented in the blues, singer Dee Daniels has fronted big bands and symphony orchestras over the course of her 30-year career. But as the title implies, her new CD, Intimate Conversations, is a collection of deeply personal duo performances. Choosing songs with lyrics that are themselves conversational, Daniels engages with a roster of jazz luminaries that... read more
This very talented musician--who is now in his sixth album--is known for his explorations he did mostly out in his last two albums, Mandala and Tantramar. This time, he returned to more traditional jazz, but was fantastically creative. This saxophone virtuoso who first touched this instrument at the age of 10 and who started learning jazz from the age of 13 is completely in his element on this album. He takes exhilarating solos,... read more
THERE'S BEEN A school of thought since the '60s that jazzmen can groove and vamp their way through any modern pop song, keeping the accessibility but jazzifying it. Song And Dance is cut from that mold, opening with the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" and following it with a decent version of the fluffy classic "Where Is The Love." More interesting is Broom's take on the Little Rascals theme "Good Old Days," which I remember enough to know that... read more
Two Israeli expatriates who stumbled upon one another on the New York jazz scene, pianist Roy Assaf and bassist Eddy Khaimovich put together a debut that capitalizes on the theme of modernization, updating not only classic compositions with new arrangements and reworkings, but updating the stylings of classic players through the quartet's stylings. The album opens with a groove-heavy rendition of Cole Porter's "All of You," also unveiling the... read more
Bob Lefsetz keeps saying things are messy these days because music doesn't drive the culture anymore. Part of the problem is that no one is driving the music. SoCal jazz vocalist Sega Garcia reaches back to the 60s to refashion some anthems the kids aren't punching up on You Tube anyway for a new airing with a new audience. Rounding up some real A teamers for her label debut, her renditions take you someplace different that's a place you need to... read more
There is a small but long-standing tradition of jazz informed by faith, whether it's a Gospel-influenced tune, or more expansive spiritual pieces like the sacred works of Duke Ellington or Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." Guitarist and composer John Moulder has communicated his personal faith in a suite entitled Trinity, which is his musical interpretation of "our journey in God from the primordial to the eternal." Moulder chronologically follows... read more
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.
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