Solo jazz piano records, by virtue of the instrument?s versatility, run the gamut from the ragtime-inspired stride playing of James P. Johnson to the Western classical music-inspired avant-garde stylings of Cecil Taylor. Steve Million?s solo record Remembering the Way Home falls somewhere a bit to the right of Taylor??not quite as adventurous and ?out there???yet further from the more traditional, blues-inflected, solo jazz piano records as... read more
While not getting the same sort of spotlight as many traditionally-rooted Cuban music masters, Kiki Valera works the cuatro and guitar with an expertise born out of many years playing with a renowned family band. He also lent a close ear to jazz players like Pat Metheny, which accounts for the free flowing edge in many of his riffs and solos.
Vivencias en Clave Cubana (Origin Records, 2019) has got Cuban son and campesino rhythms locked up... read more
Scott Burns has a large tone on tenor and a hard-driving style that is at times reminiscent of Lew Tabackin and Pete Christlieb. His set of originals include the swinging "Lead the Way," a brooding ballad in "Black Orchid," the optimistic "Downhill Stroll" and the minor blues "Storm Rising." The fine rhythm section features plenty of solo space for pianist Ron Perillo and stimulating support from bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas.... read more
The inimitable bassist Rodney Whitaker brings along Terell Stafford (trumpet/flugelhorn), Tim Warfield (tenor/soprano sax), Bruce Barth (piano), Dana Hall (bass) and Rockelle Fortin (vocals) for these songs that pay homage to Gregg Hill's rhythmic and melodic legacy with strong attention to detail.
"Betty's Tune" starts the listen with animated keys and frisky drumming, as Fortin's soulful and expressive singing adds to the lively climate,... read more
Milwaukeean Eric Jacobson has assembled a fantastic band with pianist Bruce Barth and Chicagoans Geof Bradfield (sax), Dennis Carroll (bass) and George Fludas (drums) for an outstanding new release called Discover. Discover is a mix of original material, Jazz classics (Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma") and standards ("I Hear a Rhapsody," "Old Folks"). All eight selections on the album are fantastic with "The Unknown" and "New Combinations"... read more
Vancouver jazz vocalist Dee Daniels reworks pop songs from the past half-century on Jazzinit, a title designed to make the listener ask: "Does she mean Jazz in it, or Jazzin' it?"
The answer is both. She and her backing trio (Tony Foster on piano, Russ Botten on bass, Greg Williamson on drums) kick things off with a hard-swin rendition of the Earth Wind & Fire R&B number Can't Hide Love, making it sound like it was written for jazz quartet.... read more
Nnenna Freelon's latest album, Beneath the Skin, is a concept album about looking within. Of the ten songs here, Freelon co-wrote nine of them. She certainly pulled together an amazing squad to bring these compositions to life, featuring Alan Pasqua on keys, Keith Ganz on guitar, Evan Roberson on trombone, Shana Tucker on cello, Jonathan Richards on bass and Steve Hass on drums, this band can play whatever Nnenna's got on her mind, from the... read more
Après "Imaginary Sketches" de 2011 et "Urban Nightingale" de 2012, voici le troisième album du quartet de Bram Weijters et Chad McCullough. On avait découvert le pianiste anversois au sein de Hamster Axis, on l'avait aussi entendu avec le Tuesday Night Orchestra, le quartet de Marjan Van Rompay, le quintet de Koen Nijs, le Misstriohso de Marie-Anne Standaert et au sein de Zygomatik de Piet Verbist.
Quant au trompettiste américain, il... 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